It's a sign of the times as books make way for computers

Up to 20 terminals will be installed as part of a "learning direct centre" which will enable people to study in their own time by computer.

The project is a joint venture between Worcestershire County Council, Evesham College and Malvern Hills College - which are due to merge this autumn - and Worcester College of Technology.

Shelves in the library's main hall have been moved to make way for the learning centre.

The plan is to have it all up and running by Monday, August 14.

Alan Wellings of Worcester College of Technology said: "It will be called OnLine@Malvern and the aim is to deliver the learning resources offered by the University for Industry.

"People will be able to come into the library and talk to our Learn Direct assistant who will be able to sign them up for a short taster course or a longer one, as preferred.

"The idea is to provide people with the chance to learn at their own pace and in their own time."

He said the courses offered qualifications at the end or not, according to the learner's choice.

Nigel Preedy, the county's principal librarian, said: "There is a big demand for learning and this will help meet the demand."

To make space for the centre, the number of adult non-fiction books in Malvern Library has been reduced by about 20 per cent, but adult fiction and children's books have not been affected.

Hundreds of decommissioned books have been offered for sale in the library in recent weeks.

But Mr Preedy said Malvern would soon be benefiting from a £200,000 increase in the county's book-buying budget so the library could expect to see many more new books.

n MALVERN Library is to be open on Wednesdays for the first time in decades.

From Wednesday, August 2, the library will open its doors to borrowers between 9.30am and 2pm.

Librarian Keith Barber said: "It is the first time the library has been open on Wednesdays since the mid 1970s. It follows last year's extension of Saturday opening until 4pm."