Temporary new home confirmed for Winnersh Library

Winnersh Library will be moving to a new home this Easter.

The library is moving from its current site in The Forest School and will be temporarily based at Rainbow Community Centre and Children’s Centre while the plan for a more permanent home at Winnersh Community Centre is developed.

Wokingham Borough Council executive member for resident services, inclusion and fighting poverty Cllr Rachel Bishop-Firth said: “At Rainbow Park, the library will be next to a children’s centre, which is a great position as young families are often library users, and we may be able to keep some library facility there if the main library moves to the community centre.

“It was never ideal to have a public library sharing a school site, due to safeguarding reasons and, with The Forest School now needing the space, as they continue to grow as a co-educational setting, it’s time to move.”

The planned move from the school site has been developed by a community focus group comprising Winnersh Parish Council, The Forest School and the borough council. The move will allow the library to extend opening hours, which have been limited by the safeguarding need for the students to have sole access during school hours. Public engagement on the issue has shown strong support for maintaining a library in the area.

Cllr Bishop-Firth added: “People have told us that it is important to have a local library they can get to easily so locating it at an existing community centre – initially Rainbow Park and potentially Winnersh Community Centre, is the right thing to do. Being able to open longer is also a bonus.”

The decision to move Winnersh Library was made by the council’s decision-making executive last week (19 March).