A TEMPORARY library will be available to a town's residents while a new facility is being built.

The Peterlee Library in Burnhope Way will close on Friday, December 15, with the new library set to open in autumn next year.

The temporary library in the town's leisure centre will have six public access computers, a book loan service and space for their regular library-based activities.

The computers will be available to use in the leisure centre from Monday, December, 18, and the book service will be available when it re-opens following a Christmas closure from Saturday, December 23 until Tuesday, January 2.

Councillor Joy Allen, cabinet member for transformation, said: “We have listened closely to residents and believe this will allow people to carry on enjoying their library services while they are waiting for the new, more modern library to open next year.

“We know that computer access in our libraries is vital to many people, especially at a time when Universal Credit is being rolled out.

“To help make sure people get any support they might need with their online claims, we will have digital support assistants in the current library over the next few weeks and will assess what level of assistance will be needed in the temporary facility from December.”

The central location of the temporary library has also been welcomed by councillors Audrey Laing and Harry Bennett, who campaigned for the facility.

Further consultation events will take on Saturday, November 11, from 9.30am to 12.30pm and Friday, December 8, from 10am to 5pm.