GOVERNMENT preservation officers have reassured a community they will do everything in their power to protect an historic library.

Dalton Library was yesterday sold for £104,000 - £16k below Cumbria County Council's worst-case scenario guide price - at a sale by Pugh auctioneers.

Guidance for potential buyers suggested the three-storey library could be made into houses or flats, as long as the “redevelopment does not result in the loss of architectural detailing or historic fabric”.

Any proposed changes to the Grade II-listed building in Nelson Street would also be subject to close scrutiny from Historic England, a public body dedicated to championing the nation’s heritage.

The fact that the library, built in 1905, is one of 660 Carnegie libraries - named after the philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, who paid for them - in the UK is likely to afford it greater protection in terms of its historical significance.

A spokeswoman for Historic England told the Evening Mail: “We would look at any applications for change of use. It would depend on where the historically significant parts of the building are and what the applicant or buyer wanted to deliver. The outside look of the building could be one but, with libraries, there can be parts of the interior we would want them to keep.

“Libraries are something we have been listing more and more - there have been a number of them this year. With council cuts lots of libraries are being sold off and Historic England is trying to help protect those buildings. We can also help communities apply to list them as a cultural asset.”

The sale came following Cumbria County Council’s decision to shut its doors and transfer the service to the town’s community centre, known locally as the Drill Hall, across the road. The re-located hub opened its doors in October.

Dalton town councillor Wendy Maddox welcomed news that any buyer would be required to preserve the most important parts of the building.

She said: “I’m quite happy if it means that it’ll be able to keep the facade and overall structure. I’d have rather it have stayed as a library but I think there are quite a lot of Carnegie libraries which are being sold off. We have the library service in the community centre so it’s not so bad.

“If it were to be altered it would have to be in keeping with its original features. It is a beautiful building and part of the town’s history.

“The old town hall has been modified but the old structure has been kept, which proves it can be done. I’m hopeful for the same thing with the library.”