A North Yorkshire library will be closed for more than five weeks as it undergoes renovations to reduce its carbon footprint.

Malton library will be closed from 12.30pm on Saturday, February 11, until 9.30am on Monday, March 20 as it undergoes the replacement of its old, unreliable and inefficient heating system.

It's part of a range of measures being introduced by North Yorkshire County Council to help cut carbon dioxide emissions in the region, following the replacement of the library's windows as a result of UK Government funding to increase public sector decarbonisation.

Read more: North Yorkshire Council approves go-ahead for "carbon-negative" masterplan

The improvements will provide an estimated annual saving of 5,039 kilogrammes of carbon dioxide emissions by replacing gas fired heating with electric air source heat pumps within the building.

Funding was initially awarded in February 2022 with work scheduled to begin last summer, however a delay in supplies caused a delay to the start of the works.

North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for climate change and libraries, Cllr Greg White, said: “This programme demonstrates our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint as making buildings more energy efficient is a major strand of the council’s reduction plan.

Read more: Local authorities aim to become first 'carbon negative' region in UK

“Although we appreciate that this further closure will be an inconvenience to some, this is essential work, and all schemes must be delivered by March 31, 2023.

“We hope regular users can visit other local libraries or take advantage of our fantastic online resources whilst the library is closed.”

Loan periods have been adjusted so that no borrowed items will become due during the time of the library's closure. There will also be home library service deliveries operating during the closure.

North Yorkshire and York councils have announced a combined green strategy to see their combined areas become the first 'carbon negative' region in the UK - seen as a crucial part of the UK Government's plans to become carbon neutral by the year 2050.

Last week councillors approved the go-ahead for a public consultation on North Yorkshire's long-awaited carbon-cutting masterplan, although councillors emphasised the need for UK Government support to see their plans executed.

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During the council's meeting, Liberal Democrat Councillor Steve Mason criticised the pace of implementation, saying “We are now three years down the line and are still talking about endorsing the plan. To be honest, we need to be taking action.”

Information about the opening hours of other libraries and access to online library services, including e-books and downloadable audiobooks, newspapers and magazines among others, can be found at www.northyorks.gov.uk/libraries