Richmond Library is on the Move

In a town famous for its Norman and Georgian architecture, you don't find many truly ugly buildings.

Step forward, Richmond Library.

But for all the Library's external awfulness, it's what goes on inside that really matters. For many years now, the Library has lent books, given advice, run story-telling for youngsters, and offered a warm refuge for readers and snoozers. It even housed Richmond Information Centre for a while. It is regularly consulted by visitors, particularly those with an interest in local history or family records.

Now North Yorkshire Council is moving the Library out of the rather shabby old building into the Council-owned Mercury House, on Station Road. The closure takes place on Saturday 31 October; the re-opening on Monday 23 November.

The new building is arguably slightly better looking than the old one. Beyond that, it's not for us to offer an opinion. However, quite a few people have suggested that the new location, which is down a steepish bit of hill, is likely to deter existing users, many of them quite elderly.

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