Shipley Library is to get a £640,000 facelift to improve and refurbish the 30-year-old building.

The upgrade will include replacement heating, new toilets and fresh carpets throughout.

The capital investment is outlined in a report going to Bradford Council's Executive on Tuesday, April 14, but while broadly welcomed, news of the scheme has raised questions for some local councillors.

Shipley Library is the busiest library in the district with 284,000 visitors every year and although its roof has been replaced, this will be its first major overhaul since it opened in 1985.

The electrics and heating system will be replaced to reduce running costs and the toilets will be improved.

Exhibition space will get new lighting and self-service machines will be installed at the library so customers will be able to access their account and borrow and return books without queuing.

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The library will be fully redecorated and will have new carpets and improved IT facilities.

Meeting rooms used by many community groups will be relocated within the Library and refurbished.

Shipley Councillor Martin Love said he welcomed the news, but was puzzled by the surprise announcement of such a big cash outlay by the Labour-run council.

"I just wonder why ward members haven't been told about this and we find out from the Telegraph & Argus.

"It's a bit bizarre we've had no information on this at all," said Green Party leader Cllr Love.

"The library does need a facelift and it's certainly welcome because its very busy and also very good.

"In particular the have been problems with the toilets for some time and it will be good to cut the running costs, due to reductions in the council's non-capital budgets - which have already cost Shipley its town centre manager and its public toilets," Cllr Love said.

Shipley Area Committee member Councillor Debbie Davies (Con, Baildon) welcomed the news but added: "Shipley Library is great, but it does seem like a large lump of money to suddenly appear and be spent in one place.

"For example, Baildon Library urgently needs some money just to to solve leaks in its roof," she said.

Bradford Council's executive member for culture Susan Hinchcliffe said: "I'm really pleased we've been able to secure this investment in Shipley Library, particularly as its not had any money spent on it since it was built in the 1980's.

"The exhibition space is really well used by local groups and I've had a number of requests in the last year from these groups for improved lighting in this space.

"I'm glad that as part of this refurbishment we're able to fulfil these requests."

Labour Councillors for neighbouring Windhill and Wrose, Vanda Greenwood and Alex Ross-Shaw, both applauded the investment.

"This is great news, nothing has been spent on this library in years.

"I remember taking my children there when they were young and it still looks the same," Cllr Greenwood said.

Cllr Ross-Shaw added: "I'm delighted Shipley Library is receiving this investment from Labour-run Bradford Council."