Parents desperate to see 'lifeline' library opened

"A lot of parents like me rely on libraries like that so we can use the facilities."

Jamie, 39, says he is frustrated the new Sherwood library in Nottingham - which was supposed to open in 2024 - has still yet to welcome book lovers.

The city council says there are dozens of problems that still need to be resolved by the developer and it still cannot give a date for its opening.

As a single dad working a minimum wage job, Jamie said being able to use a free facility this summer would take a "massive burden off" him financially.

"Libraries have always been a good space," he said. "Regardless if you're an adult or not, if you're working or not, they've always been like a hub in a way."

He said having a library around the corner would reduce the cost and time of commuting and allow him to spend more quality time with his daughter.

"[Vesper] loves reading, it's one of her favourite activities and we've instilled it from a young age," he said.

However, Jamie said having to go to a library further away had turned it into a special occasion journey rather than a part of their daily or weekly routine.

"I'm very limited what I can do with [my time] because I work quite a lot of hours," he said.

"When I do have free time, it's very awkward timings, so it would be nice to use a local little base."

He added that he knew a lot of people in the community struggling with the cost of living crisis, who would also benefit from the free activities the library could offer.

Sara Anderson, 35, is a support worker who took her now seven-year-old son to the old library before it was condemned and closed several years ago.

She described the the weekly sessions for toddlers and babies as "an absolute lifeline".

"It was a free resource, which when you're trying to entertain a kid, keep yourself busy, and getting out of the house on maternity pay, you know, it was a great help," she said.

"The [alternative sessions] do cost a lot of money, and just having that available and knowing that I didn't have to spend that... it was something that I could rely on going to."

Ms Anderson said as a support worker she knows that the library reopening would benefit "the whole community", not just children.

"A lot of [service users] don't have access to technology, so having access to those computers and things, we would take them and upskill them and give them a bit of knowledge and a bit of confidence," she said.

She said she felt "lied to" about the progress on Sherwood Library.

Des Conway, from Nottingham Save Our Services, said it was "important" that people had access to a library in their community, and described the continued wait as unacceptable.

"If that [the building] was a library book, by now, the late fine would be absolutely extortionate," he said.

A Freedom of Information request (FOI) shared with the BBC identified 61 outstanding problems Nottingham City Council is waiting for the developer to resolve before the library can open.

Councillor Sam Lux said the authority had been in conversation with the developers and the new owners of the site, adding it was not a "straightforward direct build contract just for the library".

She said: "In terms of the library area specifically, we are taking a number of specific steps to ensure the build does meets our standards but as you can appreciate, the council needs to reserve its position regarding any legal remedies available to us on this, but we are considering all options.

"In the light of progress made to date it is difficult at this time to give clear timescale for the re-opening of the library.

"The library service team and I want to make this operational as quickly as is possible but will not do so if the building is not certified as safe and fit for operation."

Hockley Developments said all floors of the building were "successfully handed over to tenants in late 2023".

The firm added the council's problem list had been replied to on 2 May and its responsibilities as the building contractor had "been dealt with apart form a handful which would not impact the fit out of the library".

A company spokesperson said: "We believe there is nothing now, from our build contractor's side, delaying the library opening.

"We shall continue to provide support to the building owner and tenants where we can."

The building owner, Bassi Properties Ltd, confirmed it had no involvement in the construction or operation of the library.

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