Following issues raised with the accessibility of Northam library, councillors are to consider plans and costings to redesign the layout of the building at an upcoming meeting.
The local council has been presented with four options of action after Parry & White Architects, who have more than 20 years experience in the disability sector, were commissioned to redesign the internal layout of the library.
The purpose of the redesign was to look at ways of re-configuring the library to suit all users, providing innovative solutions to the access and equity issues without any major disruption to services offered.
If council decides to undertake the works the consultants estimated a cost of $630,000.
The four options include doing nothing, adjusting the layout of shelves, deferring the works or moving forward with the redesign.
Shire of Northam community services manager and report author Ross Rayson said staff were of the opinion that the shire did not have sufficient funds to currently undertake the redesign.
Mr Rayson recommended that council refer the project to the 2020/21 draft budget for consideration and seek grant funding.
Upon receiving accessibility concerns the shire also undertook a disability access audit report and action plan and risk assessment for the use of mobility devices.
At last Wednesday's Shire of Northam forum meeting, chief executive Jason Whiteaker said council had done the right thing by looking at options.
"We should provide library access to all users and should also look at the financial implication," he said.
"If we can't afford it now we can do it another year or look for external funding."
Council will make a decision at an ordinary council meeting on Wednesday, November 20.
