A £500,000 scheme to enhance Acomb Library is progressing and local residents are being given the opportunity to view outline plans for the site.

The aim of the project is to extend and refurbish the library to create a modern and welcoming venue by adding three new classrooms and an area where refreshments can be provided, as well as relocating the computer suite. Funding for the scheme is being provided by the Learning and Skills Council.

Outline plans can be viewed at the library itself, at Oaklands sports centre or at the meeting of the Westfield ward committee, which will take place at the Gateway Christian Centre on Front Street, Acomb on 14 February at 7pm . Postcards will be available at each of these venues and residents are being asked to jot down their thoughts on them and post them back to the council.

Head of City of York Council's library service, Fiona Williams, said: "This is a great opportunity to create a modern, contemporary library with high quality facilities for the local community."

Alistair Gourlay, head of adult and community education for the council, added: "We plan to offer a varied adult learning programme in the new-look Library Learning Centre. It will be fantastic to be able to offer all this within a library and we are hoping that local people contribute lots of new ideas about the type of thing that they would like to see."

Work on the project is expected to start early in the summer and should be completed by early in 2008.