FAIRFIELD Library will reopen to the public on Monday (February 26) after undergoing a refurbishment.
The new-look branch will open from 10am to 5pm on Mondays and Wednesdays, and 10am to 4pm on Fridays. It will be closed for lunch from 1pm to 2pm.
The refurbishment follows a libraries review by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, which is facing Government funding reductions of £74million a year by 2019/20.
The review raised doubts about the future of the library but the Council agreed that it could be retained by bringing in a private nursery provider to use part of the building.
Councillor Norma Wilburn, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Arts, Leisure and Culture, said: “We were delighted to find this innovative way of keeping Fairfield Library open and have already seen a similar combination of services working well at other sites.
“We understand the value of our libraries to residents which is why, despite huge reductions in the funding we receive from Government, we have invested in several libraries across the Borough, including Billingham, Stockton, Thornaby and Yarm.
“We would like to thank local people for the patience they have shown while the refurbishment work has been carried out.”
Work to convert the remainder of the building into a nursery is under way and due for completion in the summer. The nursery will be run by The Barn Childcare.
To see a full list of libraries across Stockton-on-Tees visit www.stockton.gov.uk/libraries