COLCHESTER’S main library will close for six weeks while refurbishments take place.

The town centre library, in Trinity Square, will be closed from Thursday, October 17 and reopen on Monday, December 2.

The temporary closure was scheduled for facility improvements including the installation of new lifts allowing customers with disabilities access to all floors of the building.

During the closure, a drop box at Colchester Council’s Customer Service Centre at Angel Court in the High Street will have a drop box for residents to return books and other borrowed items. It can be used between 9am and 5pm from Monday to Friday.

The opening hours of the two libraries closest to the town centre will also be extended.

Greenstead Library, in Hawthorn Avenue, and Prettygate Library, on The Commons, will be open from Monday to Friday from 9am to 6.30pm and Saturday from 9am to 5.30pm.

John Jowers, county councillor responsible for libraries, said: “We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the temporary closure of Colchester Library but we are confident that the refurbishment will improve facilities for visitors.”