ABSTRACT
In external assessments, Barnsley library service had consistently been rated as 'Fair' and was a Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) Improvement Priority for the authority. In preparation for the refurbishment work, the BMBC architect, David Mate, the chief libraries officer and the lending services officer visited other libraries which had recently been refurbished or were new builds attracting positive comment in the professional literature. Visits were made to Brighton, Sutton, Swiss Cottage and Tower Hamlet's Idea Stores. The resulting cabinet report in November 2005 approved an investment in revenue funding for one year of 200,000 for books and 25,000 for ICT equipment, and a capital sum of 2.122 million for both the central library and branch library network. In July 2006 cabinet approved a light refurbishment of the public areas of the central library, including ventilation work, work to meet Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) requirements and maintenance and refurbishment works to bring the library up to modern standards and make it more inviting and attractive to visit.
