MORE THAN £750,000 will be spent on a new library in Harmans Water, Bracknell after savings are made from other libraries in the area.

The new library will replace the current Harmans Water facility and Bracknell Forest Council (BFC) is set to contribute £431,000 towards the construction.

However £400,000 will be saved from the running costs of the borough’s libraries after new technology is rolled out to help customers and staff.

Councillor Iain McCracken, executive member for culture, resources and public protection said: “The introduction of this technology follows an extensive public review of library services in 2016 and the value our residents placed on their libraries in creating a sense of community and combating social isolation in the elderly.

“The conclusion was that a transformational change was needed to offer residents better access in a way that was more convenient to them, but that was also going to help the council make the significant savings required to the cost of running the service.”

A 2016 review of Bracknell’s libraries suggested BFC needed to save £400,000 from the services by 2019.

BFC saved £250,000 in 2017/2018, a further £120,000 was retained in the following year and the final £30,000 will be saved in 2019/2020.

Currently, over 100 volunteers run Bracknell’s libraries, dedicating between 850 and 1000 volunteer hours per month.

Library staff are trained in how to use the new technology, which was introduced at Binfield library on Monday, July 2 and will still be on hand to assist users should they need help with the equipment.