OLD Town library will merge with the Arts Centre to create a “cultural community hub” under an ambitious scheme backed by councillors.

The library, which has been facing the axe for more than a year, will move into the Devizes Road centre within the next six months, according to Swindon Council’s deputy leader Coun Fionuala Foley.

The scheme would see books spread across the centre with users being given the chance to check them out at any time of the day through electronic check-out points.

The new approach to book lending would be a departure from the traditional image of quiet sanctuaries of study, said Coun Foley.

“It is a very different picture – the library would be very much part of the Arts Centre so there would be a lot going on,” she said. “It’s not the stereotypical idea of a library where everyone has to be quiet.

“But we would like to have an area where people can have some peace – we would perhaps like to have the history books in a section where people can read quietly.”

Books would be stored on wheeled racks so that they can be moved out of the way if necessary and would be scattered around the Arts Centre. Other possibilities being considered by Swindon Council’s library department and cultural team include a decorated room for children’s books and a revamp of the currently unused cafe.

A library assistant and a volunteer would be on duty during library hours if customers want to order a book or need assistance.

Coun Foley said: “The aim is to give people more opportunities to borrow books. This is a way of having the library open for longer and will also benefit the arts centre.

“There is a lot of potential with the Arts Centre and what we are looking at is a way of making it a kind of hub of culture.

“Restoring the cafe would be another way of increasing the time people spend there.”

Cabinet member for culture, regeneration and economic development, Coun Phil Young said the timescale for the project was still under discussion.

He said: “We are aiming for within the next six months. We are really pushing for this because it is a great way of increasing footfall for the Arts Centre and ensuring the future of Old Town Library.

“No-one is trying to replace the style of library that I remember when I was younger, which are for some people the only quiet place to study. I think there is room for both types.”