Hilary Jackson, principal librarian, with John Cameron, Chairman of the NCCP Library Sub Group with library staff and members

Village celebrates as new library receives the green light

Villagers in Norton Canes are celebrating after securing £1.1million and the planning permission necessary to build a brand new library and community hub.

Competition from across the country was fought off to secure the £1,140,817 Big Lottery Fund grant which will be used to fund the building.

Now that planning permission has been granted, work on the state-of-the-art community facility is due to commence in November 2008 on the same site as the existing library in Burntwood Road. Building work is due to finish in September 2009.

The new cutting-edge library and community hub promises to provide a one-stop-shop that will meet residents' intellectual, creative, social and learning needs.

It will replace the original library building, built in 1961, which is no longer suitable for the delivery of a modern day library and information service.

While the new library is being built, members of the community who cannot reach neighbouring libraries in Heath Hayes, Burntwood or Cannock can access a limited library service via a porta-cabin which will be open during normal opening hours. The exact location of the cabin is yet to be confirmed.

The bus shelter outside the library will be temporarily removed to allow access to the site.

The bid proposal outlines how the new building will house a range of modern services including books for reading and learning, computers and training facilities, meeting and exhibition space and also drop in and outreach services from agencies such as the Children's Information Service, Connexions, Citizens Advice Bureau, Community and Voluntary Service, the Health Service, Pension Service, Police and District Council.

What's more, when the building work is complete, the centre will be managed as a partnership between Staffordshire Library Service and the Norton Canes Community Partnership (NCCP), ensuring that local knowledge and understanding of the local community continue to be instrumental to the future of the services provided there.

County Councillor for Cannock Villages, Janos Toth, speaking about the forthcoming investment in the village said: "What fantastic news for people living in Norton Canes. This brand new community facility promises to revitalize the centre of the village, but what makes it particularly special, is the fact that local residents have a chance to inform the type of services that will be housed in the building."

Jean Dyde, spokesperson for the NCCP, added: "We've worked so hard over the years to get this new building and we're over the moon with the news that it is now going ahead."

Establishing the needs of the project has been also been a joint responsibility between Staffordshire Library Service and the NCCP.

Many years of dedicated partnership working has seen in-depth consultation with the local community take place, including numerous household surveys, forums and feasibility studies.

Consultation has shown how local residents of all ages are crying out for a welcoming, informal and safe environment where they can meet, learn and get advice.

The Library Service and NCCP have recently recruited eight "Community Advocates", volunteers who can explore the needs and aspirations of local residents in more detail so that their views can inform the future of this fantastic new building.

For more information on how to become a Norton Canes Community Advocate, contact Rachel Jorgenson at the library on 01543 279592.

Hilary Jackson (Principal Librarian for Staffordshire Library Service) with John Cameron (Chair of the NCCP Library Sub Group). Back, from left to right: Jean Dyde, Jean Hill, Maureen Hopley, David Clarke, Rachel Davies, Rachel Jorgensen , Pauline Stabler, John Debens, Bob Stokes, Karen Ward.

Page Last Modified: 22/08/2008 08:27:22

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