Poole Library and Customer Service Hub will temporarily close to the public from Wednesday 26 August to Friday 25 September while essential roof repair works are carried out at the Dolphin Centre.
The temporary closure will allow contractors to carry out one of the most disruptive phases of work to remove Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC), a building material found in the roof space above the library.
Since work began earlier this year, Poole Library has remained open and safe to visit. However, contractors have advised that the next stage of the project will involve continuous drilling, demolition activity and the removal of waste materials from the site, creating sustained noise and disruption throughout the building during weekdays.
To ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of customers, staff and contractors, Poole Library, the Customer Service Hub and Citizens Advice services operating from the building will be closed to the public from Wednesday 26 August until Friday 25 September.
The library will continue to open on Saturdays from 9am to 5pm throughout the closure period, as contractors will not be working on site at weekends.
Councillor Andy Martin, BCP Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for Libraries, said:
Since work began to remove RAAC from the roof space above Poole Library, we have worked closely with the Dolphin Centre and contractors to keep services operating wherever possible.
"Unfortunately, we have now reached a stage of the project where the level of noise and disruption means it is no longer practical to continue providing services during the week.
"This temporary closure has been taken to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of everyone using the building. We appreciate this will be inconvenient and would like to thank residents for their patience while these essential repairs are carried out.
"The library will continue to open on Saturdays throughout the closure period, and alternative library services remain available at nearby locations.
"While this four-week closure is necessary to accommodate the most disruptive phase of works, residents should be aware that further repair work is planned later this year. We will continue to work closely with contractors to minimise disruption and will provide plenty of notice should any additional closures be required.
Customers can continue to return library items using the returns bin located outside the library entrance. Items can also be returned to any BCP Council library.
Other libraries, including Hamworthy, Oakdale, Parkstone, Branksome and Broadstone, will continue to welcome users as normal.
Customer Services can be accessed online at www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk or in person at the Civic Centre, Bourne Avenue, Bournemouth. BCP Homes residents can call 0800 028 1870 or visit the team at Kinson Hub. Citizens Advice can be contacted on 0808 278 7939 or via www.citizensadvicebcp.org.uk.
The closure forms part of a wider programme of roof repairs being undertaken following the identification of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in the roof space above the upper levels of the building. The lower floors, including the library, have remained safe to use throughout the programme of works.
The current closure relates to the first phase of major repair works. Because the roof is being repaired in two sections, a second period of disruptive work is expected later this year. This may result in intermittent library closures during November while demolition and drilling works are carried out. Further information will be shared with residents once the programme has been confirmed.
Residents are encouraged to check BCP Libraries' social media channels for the latest updates.
