York's first Library Learning Centre -  the first of it's kind in the city - will be opening in February 2008. It will provide integrated library and community based adult learning facilities, boasting state of the art learning rooms and a completely new library layout.

The extension and refurbishment of Acomb Library to create the new Library Learning Centre has been funded by The Learning and Skills Council and City of York Council.

There will be a full programme of adult education classes at the centre along with a range of library services and other community based activities, and further consultations with the local community will determine the detailed offer.

Members will be asked to approve plans to extend the former library's opening hours from 9am until 9.30pm Monday to Thursday; 9.00am - 5.00pm on Fridays and 9.00am - 2.00pm Saturdays.

It is proposed that the facilities will also be available for hire on Wednesdays for meetings or community events and activities. The building will also be available for young people's activities on a Friday evening.

Plans are already underway for four other Library Learning Centres in York - New Earswick, Clifton, Haxby and Tang Hall - and members will be asked to approve a generic name for the new centres. The suggested prefix for the centres is 'explore' and, if agreed, would be used for each centre e.g. Explore at Acomb Library Learning Centre.

In addition to the learning and library facilities the centres will also contain a quiet study space, an exciting children's area and a cafe. Under the proposals, the council's Libraries team will look at the possibility of the café being run by an external organisation.

Acomb Library Learning Centre is expected to open in February 2008.

Councillors will be asked to conside the proposals at a meeting of the Leisure and Culture Advisory Panel on Tuesday 4 December.