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14 Mar 08Big Lottery Win for Hamworthy Library
Funding has now been agreed for a project to build a new £1.9m library for people in Hamworthy.
The new building will replace the existing Hamworthy Library and Learning Centre and could be open in 2010, providing better library space and extended learning and community facilities. Following a successful bid for National Lottery funding the Borough of Poole's library service was awarded £1.16m from the Big Lottery Fund towards the cost of building a community library in Blandford Road.
The main grant comes from the Big Lottery Fund's National Community Libraries Programme 
that awards funding to create, improve and develop library spaces that meet the needs of the whole community. A potential funding shortfall was resolved recently when a further £370,000 was allocated from the Local Strategic Partnership's Local Public Service Agreement Reward Grant. The remaining £400,000 is being committed by the Borough of Poole.
Poole Library Service is committed to developing closer relationships with the local community and the design of the new library will include features that respond to residents' needs.
Kevin McErlane, Head of Culture and Community Learning, Borough of Poole, said: "I am grateful to the Big Lottery Fund, the Local Strategic Partnership and the elected members of Borough of Poole for supporting our project and I would like to acknowledge the contribution that many local people made in helping us create this successful bid. The next steps for officers is to secure the final approval of our detailed plans with the Big Lottery over the next few months and to complete the detailed planning and preparation for construction towards a hoped for start date in January 2009.
"This is a community library and an important element of the project will be to build up the involvement of local people and expanding the range of activities and to ensure Hamworthy residents get the full benefit of this major investment."
Cllr Peter Adams, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, Borough of Poole, said: "This is a welcome success and a significant move forward for the people of Hamworthy. This award of lottery funding will help to put the library at the heart of the community."
Cllr Mike White, ward member for Hamworthy East, said: "The existing library is well used and a greatly valued resource in this area, but residents have told me they think it should be improved, so it is excellent news that the Big Lottery supports this project and the rest of the capital funding is now falling into place."
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