Swanage Library will be closed for six months to enable extensive £424,000 renovations to be carried out.

Plans to open a temporary library in the High Street have been shelved, but a replacement mobile service will start from Friday at the shelter side of Shore Road.

A Dorset County Council spokesman said: “Building and maintenance work is needed to replace or repair parts of the library which are nearing the end of their lifespan, or are deteriorating and at risk of becoming defective.”

Work includes internal layout changes and a small ground floor extension, allowing the children and young persons area to move downstairs. The library will become wheelchair-friendly, with the inclusion of a new disabled toilet and a baby change facility.

The work also includes replacing windows, overhauling the building’s wiring and improving the heating system.

County council community services cabinet member Hilary Cox said: “This work represents considerable investment by the county council in Swanage and has been scheduled for some time.

“We will be able to continue to offer a service in the town via the mobile library and I would encourage local people to visit and see what’s available.”

Throughout the closure, library sessions for children will continue at the town’s Sure Start children’s centre, while the young people’s session takes place at the youth centre.

+ A mobile library will operate at the following times from December 3. Monday: 10am-3.30pm. Wednesday: 11am-4.30pm. Friday: 10am-3.30pm. Saturday: 10am-2pm (until Christmas) The mobile will not run between Christmas and New Year and will resume on Jan 5, 2011.