TWO borough libraries are to close temporarily while regeneration works are carried out.

Brierley Hill Library is to undergo a major revamp as part of the town’s multi-million-pound regeneration and will be closed for around three months.

Meanwhile, Lye Library is to close for a week while essential maintenance work is carried out.

Layout changes and redecoration will take place at Brierley Hill Library, which will be given a new children’s play area where little ones can play and learn.

The library, operated by GLL, will temporarily close on Saturday April 15 for approximately three months and while it is closed a temporary library will run from St Michael’s Church.

People will still be able borrow items, access the internet and use a full range of library activities.

The refurbishment of the library is part of a £5million regeneration of Brierley Hill High Street which also includes upgrading of the public toilets, improvements to transport links and access, plus installation of new seating, plants, trees and cycle facilities as well as improvements to the area around the Brier Rose sculpture, the locally listed drinking fountain, and at St Mary’s Church.

Councillor David Stanley, Dudley Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise, said: “Brierley Hill Library stands nestled on the town’s high street and is a key priority as we regenerate this part of the town.

“We’re really pleased GLL can operate a temporary library elsewhere to keep disruption to library users to a minimum.

“The revamp of the library is just one of the ways we are improving Brierley Hill High Street.”

Annette Templar, sector libraries manager at GLL, added: “We welcome this investment in Brierley Hill Library. I would like to assure library users that we have plans in place to run a temporary service from the church, so people can still access all the library services they need, just in a new location for a short while. The temporary library’s opening times will remain the same as the normal library.”

The works are being funded through the Future High Street Fund and Brierley Hill High Street Heritage Action Zone.

Meanwhile, Lye Library – also operated by GLL - will close for one week from Monday April 17 while vital repair work takes place.

During the closure, plasterwork in the children’s area of the library will be replaced.

Library users are asked to use alternative libraries during the closure – the nearest of which is Stourbridge Library.

Councillor Ian Bevan, Dudley Council’s cabinet member responsible for libraries, said: “It’s important we maintain standards within libraries and get work completed as quickly as possible.”

Stephanie Rhoden, partnership manager at GLL, added: “We apologise for the inconvenience this may cause, but we expect the work to be noisy and dusty so it’s not feasible to keep the library open to the public.

“The closure will allow the work to happen quickly, which means we can reopen sooner rather than later.”

Lye Library is expected to reopen its doors to the public on Monday April 24.