Editing National Library for the Blind (section)

===The move to Stockport===

After a period of relative prosperity, the Library again hit financial problems in the early to mid-1970s as spiralling [[inflation]] overtook a fairly static income. As considerable cost savings could be made by combining the Westminster and Manchester operations, it was decided to concentrate operations on one site.

On grounds of cost, it was decided the new building should be in the Greater Manchester area. Building a new purpose-built Library was considered but, it was decided that a modern building suitable for conversion should first be sought.

A thorough search for suitable buildings was made across Greater Manchester during 1975 and 1976. The Library's essential needs were for warehouse space suitable for conversion into a book-stack providing 20,000 metres of easily accessible shelving and a large circulation and dispatch department, with offices immediately adjoining, all preferably on one floor.  A suitable building was found at [[Bredbury]] in [[Metropolitan Borough of Stockport|Stockport]]. This was approximately ten years old when found and had been the regional headquarters of [[Armitage Shanks]], who no longer required it.

The staff and resources of the Northern Branch moved in during January 1978 and those of the Head Office during the following February and March. The move freed up resources, reduced costs and increased efficiency as all the Library's book-stock was now shelved under one roof.