WORK to create a multi-use community hub for west Reading is due to get underway from the beginning of May.

Plans to improve and transform Battle Library will see it being closed from Friday, April 19 for building work to take place.

It is hoped that the library will reopen in late summer 2019 (although it will open for one day as a polling station on May 2).

After April 19, books can be returned to library staff between 9am and 12pm on Fridays in the Emmanuel Methodist Church next door to the library, and a small collection of books will be available for loan at these sessions.

Rhymetimes will also take place at the Emmanuel Methodist Church on Fridays at 10am and 11.15am.

Child health clinics and Children's Centre activities will be accessed at Central Library on Wednesdays, library cards can be used and books returned to Reading Library and the library service's e-book, e-magazine and e-audio service is available all the time at www.reading.gov.uk/elibrary.

The major building and alteration works will create a new rear extension and reorganisation of the space.

This will provide a new flexible community space when the library re-opens in late summer.

Cllr Sarah Hacker, Reading’s lead member for culture, heritage and recreation, said: "This is an exciting time for Battle Library.

"By developing the library into a community hub, we can make even better use of the building and put it at the heart of the local community.

"Unfortunately, we can only carry out these major improvement works by temporarily closing the building.

"We know the temporary closure will cause some inconvenience, particularly during the school holidays but we are working hard to minimise disruption as far as possible.

"Activities will temporarily locate to new homes whilst the work takes place and we will be offering a weekly pop-up library service on a Friday morning from a nearby venue."

Cllr Sophia James, Reading’s lead member for Neighbourhoods, said: "I’m delighted that work starts soon on this ambitious project to transform the library.

"Last year we successfully launched community hubs in Southcote and South Reading, and these are already proving incredibly popular, well-used spaces.

"The new building in west Reading will not only still provide the much loved library, but will also offer valuable space from which community groups and organisations will be able to deliver a range of activities for local people."

To find out more, visit: www.reading.gov.uk/battlelibraryworks.