Published on Thursday 26 March 2026
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council has confirmed that Charminster Library is to remain closed for the foreseeable future due to serious building safety concerns and the high cost of essential repairs.
The library has been unable to open since December 2025 after a partial ceiling collapse.
Following months of detailed structural assessments, the Council has concluded that the historic building will remain closed indefinitely.
Cllr Andy Martin, BCP Council Cabinet member with responsibility for libraries, said:
“We know how important this library is to the community, and we want to be open and up front about the challenges we are facing following the structural damage which forced the building to close for safety reasons.
“We now know that making this very old building safe for customers would cost over £680,000, and unfortunately the council simply does not currently have the funds for these major repairs.
“We cannot reopen a building that puts people’s safety at risk. Charminster Library will remain closed while we seek external funding support.
“We understand how much this library means to local families, students, older residents and community groups. This update is not the outcome any of us wanted but we must put the safety of residents and staff first – and we wanted to let the community know as soon as possible.
“We will explore options to seek a long‑term solution and remain fully committed to maintaining library access for residents of the Charminster area.
“The nearest alternative libraries at Winton and Castlepoint are open as normal, and each one is just under a mile away from the Charminster branch.”
The scale of work required to make the library safe again includes the professional and safe removal, cleaning and repairs of recently exposed asbestos; the removal and replacement of suspended ceilings, redundant ceiling heaters and defective roof joists; and the installation of new lighting, alongside a comprehensive programme of redecorating.
Externally, the removal and rebuilding of parapet walls, reconstruction of guttering, removal of further asbestos from the flat roofs, new cladding and redecoration is also required.
Cllr Martin also provided an update on the Council’s recent bid for Open Access grant funding from the Arts Council:
“Charminster Library was part of our plans to implement Open Access technology, which would allow residents to utilise library resources at a time that is convenient to them.
“Grant funding from the Arts Council England was central to this project, but we have now received notification from them that our bid for this was unsuccessful.
“This is not as a result of the condition of the Charminster building. We remain committed to all elements of our recently approved library strategy and will be looking at other routes for funding.”
Whilst Charminster Library remains closed, library members can still use any library in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
From their own device, customers can also borrow up to 10 ebooks at a time, access over 3,000 different magazine titles, read over 1,000 different newspapers titles and listen to five audiobooks online, via the BorrowBox app.
The Home Library Service is also available for any residents who cannot get to a library because of age or disability, or because they are caring for someone.
Residents interested in the home library service should email the Royal Voluntary Service Home Library Manager at bcphomelibraryservice@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk or call 01305 236 666.
Find contact details of other libraries within Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole here www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/libraries/find-a-library