Library to move to Westfield shopping centre

Shepherd’s Bush Library will move from its current location on the Uxbridge Road to the Westfield complex in 2009, the Council has said.  

Design work has started on the new building which will offer books and all the traditional library services as well as self-service pods, state-of-the-art IT facilities and DVD and CD hire. 

The library, which will be at the southern end of Wood Lane, opposite Debenhams, will also host an employment service, a quiet study zone, ‘teen’ area, homework support and a range of events and activities. 

Despite reservations aired on the forum, library users we spoke to were mostly positive about the move. 

“If it’s going to be modern and bigger with a wider range of books and more computers, then it’s a good thing – there are only a few computers in the current library,” said Khalid Mohammed. “I’ve been coming here for ten years and have a sentimental attachment to the building but if it’s a change for the better, it’s worth it. It’s just like moving house or changing jobs,” he said.  

Library user, Angela, also said she was in favour of the move: “It’s a good idea. You would only need to make one trip and would be able to do everything in one go: shopping and library. It’ll still be the same library.”

Yoshimi Itoh was similarly positive: “It wouldn’t be a problem for me to walk around the corner to the new one. There’s nothing wrong with it,” she said.  

But another user, Mohammed Khan said he had mixed feelings: “It will be inconvenient for me to go the new building and I’ll miss the current one because it is very old, but it would be good to have a better range of books. Lots of students come here to be tutored and they make a lot of noise – there should be a separate section for them. What are they going to do with this building? Why can’t they have a library in both locations with different facilities in each?” 

Councillor Paul Bristow, cabinet member for Residents' Services, explained the reasons for the move: "The existing Shepherd’s Bush Library is over 110 years old and is showing its age both in terms of the quality of the building and the services it can offer. The new library will be at the cutting edge and its features will be the launch pad for the roll out of similar innovations across our other libraries, such as the use of self service, where you can reserve items on-line.” 

However, it is not clear what will happen to the old building, whose foundation stone was laid on 4 July 1895: “The old library is a much loved Victorian building of merit and the Council has no current fixed view on what it might be used for in the future. However, we do want to find a use for the building that contributes to the regeneration of Shepherds Bush and complements the existing vibrancy of the area. Residents will be consulted on regeneration plans for the town centre early next year," Cllr Bristow said.  

Yasmine Estaphanos

16 October 2008