Plans for Permanent Home for Haxby and Wigginton Library Revealed

Haxby and Wigginton Library has been without a permanent base for the last 5 years - but now thanks to investment from City of York Council, the library has found a potential home at Oaken Grove Community Centre, and local residents are being invited to have their say on the plans.

Over the past 18 months, the Council, with Explore York, has been working with Oaken Grove Community Centre to develop plans to permanently co-locate the library inside the Community Centre.

The plans, put forward by Explore York and the Council, will see the Community Centre extended to provide space for a modern Explore library with more books, free wi-fi, computer access, and a Reading Café to relax with a good book or meet up with friends. Lighting will be improved and public toilets upgraded. Meeting rooms will be refurbished and all will be available for private hire (including the kitchen). Outside, the building will have a new wide entrance with automatic doors allowing more space for wheelchairs, electric scooters and pushchairs

Explore wants to hear from residents in Haxby and Wigginton to help shape the final plans.

An online survey is open for comments from Wednesday 20 October until Wednesday 17 November https://exploreyork.org.uk/future-libraries/haxby-wigginton/

Alternatively people are invited to call in at Haxby and Wigginton Library at Oaken Grove Community Centre to complete a paper survey or just to talk to staff about what they want to see.

Councillor Darryl Smalley, Liberal Democrat Executive Member for Culture, Leisure & Communities, commented:

“I’m proud that at a time when library services across the country are being cut, we are investing to produce world-class facilities that will make a real difference in our communities.

“We are committed to creating a new library facility for local residents in Haxby and Wigginton, and this is why we have worked hard alongside Explore to find a permanent home for the much-loved local library.

“This initiative to develop Haxby and Wigginton’s new library is an exciting collaboration, investing in a valued community building to benefit local residents and community groups. I’d like to thank the Trustees of Oaken Grove Community Centre for their hard work and support in bringing this vision to life.

“Speaking with local residents, I know how important the local library is for the area and I’d urge everyone to have their say on the proposals at Oaken Grove. Please do join in this consultation and help us shape another great library for the city.”

Local Councillor Andrew Hollyer added: “A new library for Haxby and Wigginton is one of our key priorities for the area.

“We’re pleased that Lib Dems on City of York Council have ensured the full funding necessary to replace the old library has been secured and protected and that we have reached this key milestone in the delivery of the new library.”

Residents are also encouraged to attend the informal drop-in sessions to ask any questions:

Tuesday 26 October: 5.30pm – 7pm

Tuesday 2 November: 2pm - 3.30pm

Saturday 13 November: 11am – 12.30pm