'Significant repairs' needed to library building, Doncaster Council confirms
“It has been concluded that the current building occupied by the library is no longer suitable for continued use without significant repairs.”
The City of Doncaster Council has confirmed a local library will be relocated after a survey found its building was in need of ‘significant repairs’.
Bosses at the Cantley Community Library announced they were moving their services to the Cantley Community Centre in a statement last week, after it was found that the risk of damage from heavy snow this coming winter was ‘too high’.
Richard Halstead, chairman of the library, said: “It is very sad to see the demise of the building, but the council remains committed to Community Libraries and have worked with us to find this short-term solution at the Community Centre.
“We would like to thank the team at the Community Centre for their support and will continue to work with the council to find a new building so we can return to normal in 2027.”
The move has been confirmed by Doncaster Council’s head of heritage and culture, Nick Stopforth.
Mr Stopforth said: “Following structural surveys, it has been concluded that the current building occupied by the library is no longer suitable for continued use without significant repairs. To ensure the safety of volunteers, staff and visitors, the decision has been taken to vacate the building.
“We understand how important Cantley Community Library is to local residents and remain committed to providing this valuable service within the community. Working closely with the library trustees, we are supporting the temporary relocation of services to Cantley Community Centre while longer-term options are explored. This will ensure residents can continue to access library services locally.”
Cantley Community Library will officially reopen at the community centre on November 2, 2026. A library hub will be located in Cantley Community Centre, but library bosses say not all books can be stored at the site.
Library visitors will be able to order books from the library’s stock which can be collected and dropped off at the community centre library hub.
Mr Halstead said a number of the community library’s activities will continue at the new location as well, including Chair Yoga, Chatty Cafe, the Citizens Advice Hub, and Knit and Natter.