PITCHED as the public building project that took Hereford into the 21st century, the county's long overdue new library HQ seems to have sat on the shelf for more than a year - and the bookworms are turning.

It was November 2000 when Herefordshire Council confirmed cabinet's preference and approved, in principle, the extension/conversion of Kemble House, a 1960s office block in Broad Street.

That decision authorised officers to enter negotiations with site owners Sterling House Estates over its use - subject to satisfactory financial, technical and design appraisals. A logistical limbo from which, says council leader Terry James, the issue is expected to emerge 'sometime in the next 12 months'.

The council seeks £6 million to cover costs, to be sought by selling the project as a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) or in credit approval from Government.

Opponents of the council's concept, including the Hereford Library Users Group, seize the delay. That kind of cash, they say, could provide a purpose-built 'landmark' of which the city, and county, can be proud. It's their case that no existing building will do, nor any scheme 'cobbled together' to enlarge buildings never designed with a library in mind.

Sixteen sites made the initial brief. Among those ruled out were The Buttermarket, The Town Hall and the old C&A store (now TK Maxx) in Maylord Orchards. Kemble House emerged as a front runner only when offered by Sterling House Estates. It was quickly claimed by cabinet as the only realistic option meeting an all-important 'inside the city centre' edict.

A blueprint extending the block into the current car park behind provides for 38,000 square feet of 'open plan' floor space, accommodated over three levels, accessed from Broad Street and designed around a central glazed atrium with escalators and lifts.

Large areas of glazing or picture windows would offer views across the city and out towards the Black Mountains. An existing caf/restaurant 'interacts' with the conversion. Parking would be provided in a secure underground service area.

Supporters of the 'landmark' alternative, however, see Gaol Street car park as their ideal. A site with the advantage of council ownership where a purpose-built library is possible at a 'realistic' price, enhancing St Peter's Square as a civic focus.

The council's argument against is made on economic grounds; primarily the 'devastating' impact of losing a car park when such space in the city is already at a premium. And as for building on stilts with spaces beneath, that's just 'impractical'.

A rank outsider recently emerged via the oft-irreverent local listings magazine Broad Sheep. Dismissing the council's 'carefully choreographed' motion favouring Kemble House, it offered the old magistrates court - also in Gaol Street.

The for-sale Grade II listed building, would be encased in a 'sleek, steel-framed' glass envelope with an opportunity to expand on to the adjoining former St Peter's School site.

Here, according to architecture writer Nick Jones, could be a combined library/museum, including 'spacious, climate-controlled' galleries for the county's 'shamefully neglected' costume collection and the Brian Hatton gallery, both currently kept at Churchill House.

To Mr James the concept is 'not even worth considering'.

"(The old court) is totally unsuitable for such a scheme. It would be difficult to see a more inappropriate site."

PRACTICAL progress on Hereford's new library is promised 'sometime' in the next 12 months - and by then the multi-million pound project may even have a new home.

Confirmation comes this week that the library could be incorporated into plans for a single site county council HQ where the cattle market currently stands.

The council has long been looking to locate dispersed departments in one place, and a market move is spoken of as inevitable.

Exploring opportunities to link the library with such a development 'makes sense' says council leader Terry James. But, in taking the scheme out of the city centre, the concept doesn't conform to original criteria, so Kemble House remains the authority's first choice.

An initial structural survey has shown the privately owned Broad Street office block as 'suitable' for extension/conversion, says Mr James.

The application of such findings to 'practical progress' on the project should come 'sometime in the next 12 months'.

No one doubts the need for a new library; differences arise over where it should be.

Opponents of the council's ideas, including the Hereford Library Users Group, argue that only a purpose-built 'landmark' will be appropriate.

To them, the ideal site is Gaol Street car park, which, while on the original shortlist, was ruled out by the council on economic grounds.

The council's strategic monitoring committee, an opposition-dominated body analysing policy, reviewed the Kemble House decision in November.

Members met behind closed doors to discuss the conversion's inclusion in the capital programme. According to cabinet briefing papers they agreed on 'no further action'.

But these same papers also outline the committee's collective call for a final reference to the full council before any 'irrevocable decision' is made.

It was the full council that agreed to the principle of converting Kemble House in November 2000.

Provision for a new Hereford library is made in the Unitary Development Plan. But its entry is not 'site specific' and nor does it need to be, says Mr James.