As I posted a week or two ago, Manor House Library will close for restoration at 5.30pm this Saturday (8th December).

The Library Service has now announced the opening times for the mobile library which will provide interim services.

During the closure, a replacement service will be operating from the mobile library based in the car park of the House from 9.30am on Monday 10 December.

The Mobile Library opening hours will be:

Monday 9:30am - 5:00pm
Tuesday 1:00 - 7:00pm
Wednesday Closed
Thursday 9:30 - 7:00pm
Friday Closed
Saturday 10:00 - 2:00pm
Sunday Closed

You’ll be able to use your existing library card at the mobile library, and of course you can also use it at Lewisham, Blackheath or any other library in the Borough.  Details of alternative libraries here.

I’m still disappointed we couldn’t make the sums add up on a temporary library at Leegate, but I’m sure the disruption will be worth it in a year’s time when the restored Manor House opens its doors.

We understand that the Manor House Library is set to close after business on December 8th. The intention is to resume services on Monday December 10th from the Mobile Library, which will be parked in front of the library building. The closure needs to occur to allow intrusive asbestos surveys to begin. Due to the nature of these surveys, it wont be possible for the public to access the building once they begin.

Your Councillors were anxious to secure a better temporary arrangement than the mobile library. Following discussions between us and St Modwen, owners of the Leegate Centre, St Modwen agreed to offer the Council use of the large empty unit next to Stones rent-free as a temporary library. The library service explored this proposal, but unfortunately, following surveys by the Council on these units, it was found that the cost of bringing the units up to the standard required by the Council for a public building would be prohibitively expensive (we’re talking about a six figure sum).

The intention at present is to park the mobile library by the west wing wall in the Manor House car park. Once work starts in earnest, the vehicle will be parked on the grass and fenced off. A separate entrance will be provided.