Frome Library to close for installation of self-service point

Frome Library looks set to be closed for three weeks in March.

The closure has been confirmed by Somerset County Council and will be to install a new self-service system.

A spokesman for the county council said that a contingency plan was being put in place during the closure to minimise disruption for users.

During the work, the town council information centre will be moved for the closure period to its offices in Palmer Street, Frome.

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The county council has said the self-service system will free up staff so they can help library users in other ways.

A county council spokesman said: "There is a planned temporary closure of Frome Library for new self-service technology to be installed. Precise dates are still to be confirmed, along with alternative arrangements for library users during this time.

"This information, along with details about self-service technology, will be available in the library well in advance.

"We apologise for any inconvenience that may be caused and will do our very best to keep it to a minimum.

"Self-service has been successfully introduced in Taunton and Burnham-on-Sea libraries and is due to be in place in Bridgwater and Wells by the time the improvements are made to Frome Library.

"The new touch-screen kiosks allow customers to borrow, renew and return books themselves, allowing staff more time to help visitors.

"There will be staff support to help customer get used to the new technology."

FTC town centre manager, Karen Clements, said in a report to the internal affairs committee, that the information centre will be moved towards the front of the library in the review, possibly making it the first point of contact for the majority of people using the library.

She said: "The information centre will be moving forward, closer to the entrance thereby raising our profile within the building. We are likely to become the first point of contact for the majority of people entering the building.

"The relocation is the ideal opportunity to redesign the space available to overcome some of the existing restrictions for retailing and incorporate the showcase element for local crafts."

Mendip District Council hopes to keep the Council Access Point (CAP) open during the work and is currently in discussions with Frome Social Services, in Christchurch Street West, to co-locate during the closure, but this has yet to be finalised.