to be razed and replaced with a new national library.

Trevor Woolridge suggested the site off Pitts Bay Road could also be turned into a park.

"We want a more modern library which will encourage use by students in particular and the general public.'' Cultural Affairs Minister Yvette Swan, meanwhile, told The Royal Gazette her dream was to have a new national library.

But no suitable site had been found -- despite a lot of head-scratching.

"It's my ultimate dream but I can't find anywhere which is centrally located.'' Dr. Swan said the former US Naval Bases were too far from Hamilton to be considered seriously.

Bermuda's Queen Street library has come under focus after news it would have to close until the end of April while asbestos was removed from ceilings.

Tomorrow (Friday) will be first time it has shut down in more than 150 years.

Dr. Swan recently told The Royal Gazette there was no choice but to close.

"Experts will have to go in and strip all of it out and this is a procedure that can't be rushed.'' Staff will move books during the first two weeks of the closure to temporary storage in the old library on the former US Naval Station in St. George's.

Yesterday Rev. Woolridge said Bermuda needed a new and bigger library in keeping with a sophisticated society.

"It is an unfortunate set of circumstances where we find asbestos in the ceiling and the library has to close.

"It makes for an inconvenience for all those who want to use the library.'' Rev. Woolridge, however, said this was a good opportunity to lobby for an alternative site and more funding for the library.

"It is important for us to understand libraries play a pivotal role in the advancement of education in our community.'' He said any Government argument the money could not be found would be "mute''.

"While education and libraries are expensive, ignorance is more expensive.'' He added: "Amid all the discussion over the future of the Bermudiana, I think we ought to level the building and replace it with a library and a lovely park where we can eat lunch and go about our business and receive education. There will also be suitable parking spaces there.'' Dr. Swan remained guarded about how much will be allocated for the libraries in this month's Budget.

"You'll have to wait and see,'' she said. Asked whether it would be sufficient, she replied: "There is never enough.'' Last year's Budget allocation for the libraries was $1,053,000.