The artist's impression shows how the striking new development would appear from Queen Street, which would also be regenerated — with the old Queen's Head pub earmarked to be flattened and replaced with a mini retail complex.

And work is planned to improve the inside of the Old Town Hall as part of the major scheme, which project leaders say would create an iconic building boasting one of the best libraries in the country.

The 'exciting' development is a partnership between Mansfield District Council and Nottinghamshire County Council and would see the former indoor market behind the Old Town Hall demolished and replaced with the all-new library.

Mansfield mayor Tony Egginton told Chad the new library — which is planned to open at the end of 2011 — would help create civic pride and link in with other regeneration projects in the same part of the town centre.

"We have got a quality Grade II listed building and have got the opportunity to turn this into a civic building of great pride and an exemplar from a libraries services point of view," he said.

"It will raise the profile of the area and give a feel good factor. It is bigger than just a new library — it is about regeneration and renaissance."

Mr Egginton revealed the final design of the new building would be picked with a competition involving top national architects and stressed it was likely to look different from the artists' impressions.

He also revealed that the district council had bought the former Queen's Head pub behind the Old Town Hall, which would be turned into a public space –– possibly housing retail units, a cafe and a one-stop shop.

'Excitement'

The county council's head of libraries Peter Gaw told Chad the new library would include features such as a learning centre, health services, youth centre and cafe.

He said: "When we look at this location, it hits all the right buttons. With the new bus station and Queen's Head pub development, the pedestrian flow is going across there and the library will contribute to that and benefit from it.

"It is the excitement of not just transferring the library function to a new building, it is transforming what the library can do for people. It is breaking down the barriers about people thinking libraries are old-fashioned.

"It is the biggest and busiest library in the county. It has the most visits, but it doesn't have the most book issues so we want to see that being rectified."

Mr Gaw said the library would include self-service checkouts for books and would make services more accessible for those with disabilities.
Demolition

It is hoped the new facility would also improve attainment levels locally by encouraging more young children to take up reading at an early age.

Demolition

Full council approval still has to be gained for the funding, with the district council planning to contribute £6.5m –– with the rest coming from the county council.

The first stage of the project is likely to be the demolition of the former indoor market and the creation of a temporary car park there.

And the district council will work with Four Seasons Centre bosses to find a retail company to move to the current library building, where services will remain unchanged until the new facility opens.

District council staff who currently work in the Old Town Hall will continue to work there and the former council chamber will be kept as space for meetings.

Public consultation will be held with local people after funding has been approved by both councils.