Library faces last chapter

Mar 4 2009 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Echo

ONE of Liverpool’s most historic libraries is unlikely to reopen.

Lister Drive library, in Tuebrook, was mothballed in December 2006 for health and safety reasons after a staff member was hurt in an accident.

Today, Liverpool council revealed it will be merged with Queens Drive-based Larkhill library into a new facility as part of the £27m rebuild of West Derby comprehensive school.

Tuebrook councillor Steve Radford criticised the decision, claiming it amounted to vandalism.

Concerns were also raised over the future of the 100-year-old grade II-listed building.

Full surveys have shown it would cost around £1.5m to bring it up to modern standards.

Officials previously decided against reopening it because of the risk of further accidents caused by the library’s old-fashioned structure.

Cllr Radford said: “Lister Drive library is part of the city’s history and culture. By closing it, the council is committing an act of municipal vandalism.

Foot note : we are fighting this disgraceful undermining community facilities and have raised a further petition. It was disgraceful we were accused of scare mongering and worse by Labour Cllr Rainey and Lib Dem Cllr Paul Clein when we stated this was the council's plan to close both libaries all along with the destruction of Bankfield Playing Fields - well the truth is out for all to judge