AN EXHIBITION setting out what Dorking Library could look like if it relocates to the town centre received a mixed response from visitors last week.

The plans from Surrey County Council were displayed during a two-day exhibition in the town.

SNEAK PEEK: Surrey County Council members Perry Stock, Rose Wilson, Katie Kinnear and John Case at the exhibition
Photo no: REAK20100820d-001_c by Alec Kingham
ON THE MOVE: Plans to relocate Dorking library will be discussed by a council committee on Wednesday.

The county council wants to move the library from Pippbrook House to three empty retail units in St Martin's Walk.

Rose Wilson, library operations manager, said: "It's true to say that we have had a lot of very positive comments.

"Some people feel it's a nice location because it's central and near shops but not with the hustle and bustle of the high street.

"People seem to be more concerned about what will happen to Pippbrook House rather than where the library is."

The exhibition was held last Friday and Saturday in one of the three units in St Martin's Walk the library could move to.

Mrs Wilson added: "People love Pippbrook House dearly and for the residents of Dorking its future is quite important."

Allison Ducker, who lives in Punchbowl Lane, Dorking, visited the exhibition on Friday and said she does not mind where the library is, as long as there is one.

She said: "I think things need to change and go with the times, particularly with the interactive computer scheme. Providing there's more room and it's bright I think it's great for Dorking town centre."

But the proposals have been met with objections from many Dorking residents and more than 50 letters of representation have been sent to Mole Valley District Council.

Speaking at the exhibition, Gillian Caldwell, of Old Reigate Road, Dorking, said: "Pippbrook House has got exactly the right atmosphere and it's a really lovely place.

"They keep saying we're going to have coffee shops but it's not what we want from a library.

"We want to relax and be quiet in lovely surroundings."

Her husband Ian Caldwell added: "If the library moves to St Martin's Walk you will have to pay to park and the surroundings are not nearly as nice."

And John Howell, of Westcott, said: "I'm totally against the move.

"I think, as everybody else does, that Pippbrook House is a lovely building. It's easy to park but if the library moves people will have to pay to park."

Mole Valley District Council will discuss the application for a change of use from retail to library and multi-media centre at Wednesday's meeting of the development control committee.