Milton Keynes City Council have announced plans for significant upgrades to the city’s Central Library.

The £3.6M project is intended to address essential infrastructure issues, with the City Council stating these include making the building watertight and operational for the long term.

Key facilities will also be repositioned and expanded to better accommodate the needs of families, children and adult learners.

Once complete, the renovations will intend to relocate the children’s library to the ground floor, making it easier to access for families and carers, and reconfigure event spaces to create additional classrooms for adult education, meeting growing demand.

The plans also intend to replace the Central Library roof and restore the lift, improving access for residents with mobility challenges.

While many other councils have closed libraries since 2010, with recent analysis showing since 2016 around 20% of libraries in England have been closed, Milton Keynes City Council’s leadership have said they have invested in libraries, opening two new ones and improving others.

Councillor Lauren Townsend, Cabinet Member for Resources and Customer Experience, said, “While many places in England have seen libraries close due to shrinking council budgets, Labour Milton Keynes City Council continues to keep them open and invest in our library service.

“Labour’s £3.6M investment in Central Library will ensure this vital resource continues to serve Milton Keynes residents in the future. Libraries are at the heart of our community, providing essential services like family activities, education for all ages and spaces for working.

“From improving access for parents with buggies to expanding classrooms for adult learners, these upgrades to our Central Library in CMK will make a real difference in people’s lives.”