BAILDON Library will close for two weeks from Monday, August 22, as it moves from its current premises at Ian Clough Hall into new temporary premises nearby at 2 Northgate.

The library will reopen in its temporary new premises, the former Martin’s newsagents, on Monday, September 5.

The temporary closure will give staff and volunteers time to pack up all the books and equipment and get everything ready at the new premises.

Ultimately the library will move into new permanent premises in the former Baildon Social Club – over the road from the existing library in Ian Clough Hall.

Bradford Council purchased the former social club and work to convert it into a modern library and offices for Baildon Town Council is soon to get underway.

The new permanent library is expected to open in early 2023.

Bradford Council has announced it will be putting the Ian Clough Hall site on the market once the move is complete.

Customers will be able to borrow extra items ahead of the two-week closure, and will be able to renew items or return to another library during the closure period.

As the temporary site is smaller than the current library there will be a smaller stock available of the most popular and used items. The music collection is being relocated to Keighley Library and the art collection to City Library.

Councillor Gill Dixon Chair of Baildon Town Council commented: “Baildon Town Council moves to its new office in Northgate this week and will be fully open to the public from the same date as the library, although email and phone contact will not be interrupted.

“After so long working towards a new location, it is great to be right in the centre of the village and easy for everyone to call in.

“We are delighted with Bradford Council’s proposals for the new Baildon Library and community facilities and the renovation will restore an important historic building in the heart of Baildon – we look forward to moving in 2023 once the work is complete.

“Baildon Town Council will continue to work in close partnership with Bradford Library service to deliver the best possible facilities for Baildon.”

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said: “This is an exciting time for Baildon Library and we are pleased to be moving ahead with the project to provide new fit-for-purpose premises for this much-loved library.  For the duration of the conversion works the temporary library will provide a lovely bright, airy space where customers can continue to access our library services.”

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, Transport and Planning, said: “I am delighted to see our exciting plans for the relocation of the Baildon Library take a significant step forward. It is an exciting development for the town which will give the people of Baildon an improved, purpose-built library in the heart of the town and see the development of the library’s current base, Ian Clough Hall, to enhance the town centre economy.”