Plans are in the pipeline to develop the site of a South Cumbrian library closed since a fire in 2024.
Roose Library, on Roose Road in Barrow was closed in May 2024 after the suspected arson attack.
A temporary service was introduced in January of this year at the ATP building next to Barrow Park Leisure Centre.
This week, Westmorland and Furness Council said it was working on design options and costings for a library facility on the site of the closed Roose Library.
It said it had secured funding to develop costed design options for the facility.
A council spokesman said: “We are still in negotiation with the insurance loss adjuster over the claim following the fire, but once the final outturn is known this will be factored into the estimated costings in the business case.
“This will allow the council to have a clear understanding of the likely costs of different options, and we will continue our conversations with the community during the design options stage so we can make an informed decision about the next steps and the best way forward.
“We recognise the interest in, and importance of resolving, this issue and can assure everyone that we are working hard to progress this, ensuring we are achieving the best and most sustainable outcome for library services in Roose.’’
The council said it had been working closely with local councillors on the Furness Locality Board and keeping MP Michelle Scrogham and Roose Library members updated.
The spokesman added: “We very much recognise the importance of access to library facilities and appreciate this is taking some time to resolve, complicated by the nature of the closure and the resulting insurance claims, and we appreciate people’s patience, understanding and support while this is resolved.
“Our teams have worked hard to ensure that a temporary library provision was put in place and have also been working alongside the community on the long-term solutions.
“The agreement to develop costed design options for a library facility on the Roose site is a positive step forwards to ensuring we get the best and most sustainable outcome for library services in Roose.’’
