THE hunt is on for a new home for Marylebone Library after Westminster Council confirmed it would be closing its current building for refurbishment.

At the moment, the library is based in Marylebone Town Hall, but that building is due to close in 2013, with the London Business School likely to move in when it reopens.

But the council wants to keep a library in the Marylebone area and is currently looking at two sites - Luxborough Street, where the new library would form part of a larger development with housing, and Moxton Street, which is currently a vacant site used as a car park and a fortnightly farmers market.

Westminster Council has said it will provide a temporary library while the new one is being built, to cater for the 300,000 annual users.

Councillor Melvyn Caplan, head of customer services and transformation, said: “Marylebone Library is a fantastic example of how a local library can bring together a whole community.

“It is an inspiring centre for learning, a place for business to grow, a venue for cultural events and sharing information, which is why Westminster is committed to finding the right space to become the new home for one of London’s best loved libraries.

“The local library is the face of the council in the community, and providing the best service available for residents and visitors remains our top priority.”

The new Marylebone Library will provide users with a modern purpose-built library that will be significantly bigger than the current space, with a range of services including free wi-fi, classes and activities to support adult and children’s education, as well as local and council information.

It will also be a free and accessible meeting place for residents and organisations, a venue for cultural events and a place where new and developing businesses can work.

Westminster Council is holding a drop-in session at the library in Marylebone Road on March 6, from 2-6pm and comments can also be submitted by emailing reporter@westminster.gov.uk, by handing them to library staff, or writing to Marylebone Library options, 17th floor, Westminster City Hall, 64 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6QP.

All comments must be received by 7pm on March 24, and for more information, visit www.westminster.gov.uk/councilhouse

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