A POP-UP service at Ulverston Market Hall has opened this week as Westmorland and Furness council reviews plans for the closed library. 

Ulverston’s library building on King’s Road was closed following the discovery of issues with the building’s electrics during routine statutory checks.

The library service now occupies three units in the hall on New Market Street, a short distance from the pop-up library facility already opened in the Ante Room at The Coro.

The Market Hall units provide space for more stock for borrowing and areas that can be used for community groups, meetings and events.

The facilities in the Ante Room have been up and running for several weeks and provide a reception desk, a selection of books for borrowing and public access laptops and printers.

The Ante Room is hired from The Coro and is only able to open in line with The Coro’s current opening hours, but the new Market Hall units will be open 9am to 5pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and from 9.30am to 1pm Saturday. Both the Ante Room and Market Hall will have library service staff on hand to assist with customer enquiries.

The council said that further investigations into the electrical issues at the King's Road library revealed they were extensive, and that it is looking for the most 'effective and best value' solution for a permanent library service in Ulverston. 

READ MORE: Ulverston library future in doubt after further issues found

Options being looked at include the full repair and refurbishment of the existing library building on King’s Road – to include repairing the electrics, upgrading the heating system, interior layout changes and any other building works required – as well as examining opportunities to re-locate to alternative premises or co-locate within other facilities in town.

The council stresses that the current pop-up arrangments are temporary. 

"When we discovered the problem with the electrics at King’s Road and had to take the decision to close the building, our immediate priority was to get at least a partial library service back up and running in Ulverston," councillor for sustainable communities Virginia Taylor said. 

"So I am delighted that we’re now able to open the second phase of our temporary pop-up in the Market Hall, which will complement the facilities in the Ante Room.

“We recognise there has been much speculation and discussion about Ulverston Library, but whatever happens next will likely require significant investment. As the library is a statutory function, we’re required to consult on any changes, including any relocation of the library, so the local community will have the opportunity to comment on proposals and public views will be taken into account as part of the process.’’

The council has also created a Q&A section on its website regarding issues with the King's Road library.