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FOLLOWING the impending closure of two Dudley libraries, council bosses have announced the new locations for the replacement services.

Back in September, Dudley Council cabinet members approved controversial plans to axe Woodside Library on Stourbridge Road and the Dudley Wood facilities on Bush Road.

But following consultation with local residents, councillors and community groups, the decision about where to locate the borough's new Library Links has now been made.

Woodside Library Link will be based at the new Highgate Children's Centre based at Highgate Primary School and Dudley Wood Library Link will be situated at the Dudley Wood Neighbourhood Learning Centre.

The new service will provide more than 1,500 books, computer access, personal service from library staff for at least ten hours a week and activities such as homework clubs and reading groups as required by the local community.

Both Woodside and Dudley Wood Library Links will be funded through capital resources identified as part of the library modernisation programme, which was approved by cabinet and ratified by full council last year.

Councillor Michael Evans, the cabinet member responsible for libraries, said: "Dudley Council is committed to providing a library service which meets the needs of local people. Woodside and Dudley Wood library links are going to be located within the community, not far from the existing library and will be accessible to everyone.

"The plan is to close the existing libraries in each area and open the new Library Links at the same time. We hope this process will be complete by the summer of 2008."

As part of the modernisation programme Library Links will also be introduced in Quarry Bank and Pensnett but a decision on locations has not yet been made.

11:39am Wednesday 26th March 2008

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