Scaffolding is up on a Swindon library for weeks of “essential building work” on the roof.

The works started on North Swindon Library on October 7 with scaffolding expected to be up for eight weeks when the works will finish.

Swindon Borough Council says the facility will be open as usual with no planned change to how the library is accessed.

A council statement reads: “Please note that essential building works will be carried out to the roof of North Swindon Library. 

“The work starts on 7th Oct and is expected to last approximately eight weeks. Scaffolding will be in place for the duration of the work.

“However, the library will be open as usual and there is no planned change to how the library is accessed.”

Libraries around the country are under threat as councils are forced to make cuts to budgets with tough economic conditions.

In 2023, the council said it had no plans to close any of Swindon's five core libraries.

The council is also under financial difficulty and was recently given the green light to sell off assets to bridge a multi-million-pound gap in its budget - although no libraries were included. 

Swindon Borough Council chief executive officer, Samantha Mowbray, said in a message to staff: “I cannot stress enough the difficulty we are in financially.”

Help support trusted local news

Sign up for a digital subscription now: https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/subscribe/

As a digital subscriber, you will get:            

  • Unlimited access to the Swindon Advertiser website        
  • Advert-light access             
  • Reader rewards             
  • Full access to our app