The exact place has yet to be determined, but it is hoped that the new facility will open in autumn 2006.

Labour have talked, talked and talked for 2 generations on plans to deliver a new central library, with each scheme repeatadly failing to get off the drawing board.  The last serious plan envisaged a 6,000sq ft building, brought forward by Labour Councillors, which proved simply too expensive to get off the drawing boards.

But Coun Tomlinson (Con, Abbey Meads) said that the council's more modest proposal would ensure the survival of the town's network of community libraries.

If Labour were to force through a 6,000sq ft project, it will have to be paid for, which will mean the decimation of the community library network " he said.

"I'm keen to defend community libraries, and with this project they will not be closed."

The 4,500 sq ft complex will be divided up into a 3,000 sq ft library and a 1,500 sq ft new art gallery and museum.

By comparison, the existing Central Library in Regent Circus measures just under 1,000 sq ft.

This year, £3m has been set aside for the project, with another £9m to follow.

A detailed plan will go before the council's cabinet in September, once a site has been chosen.

Earlier this month, the Evening Advertiser reported that Swindon's libraries were bucking the national trend, with visitor numbers rising dramatically.

Campaign group Libris has claimed that the number of visitors to libraries across the UK has halved since 1984.

But Swindon libraries are reporting a five per cent increase in the number of items lent across the borough.

Upper Stratton library in Beechcroft Road has beaten its lending target for the past year by 40 per cent.

Yesterday Tim Boswell, the Conservative shadow minister for home affairs, paid a visit to the library and praised its "go-ahead initiatives."

"Libraries are a classic public service and an important part of civilised society," he said.

During the visit Labour Councillor's had tried to heckle Conservatives over Library funding, but were left red faced in the blazing sunshine when the announcement of the new library after 2 generations of Labour broken promises left their opportunistic campaign in tatters.