Councillors have backed plans to move Lichfield Library to a new home at St Mary’s in the Market Square.
The move would see the current site at The Friary redeveloped for residential accommodation.
A campaign, led by the Lichfield and Burntwood branch of the Green Party, had called for a public consultation.
But Cllr Gill Heath, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member responsible for libraries, said the move would secure both sites: “The £1 million investment will ensure a first class library in the heart of Lichfield, safeguard the future of two landmark buildings and support shops and businesses around St Mary’s.
“The library at St Mary’s will have significant amount of money invested in it.
“Times change and modern libraries don’t just have yards of books, some of which remain untouched from one year to the next. Our new library in Stafford also has Wi-Fi, touchscreen tables, large computer tablets and two state-of-the-art 3D printers.
“Membership is increasing there after several years of decline and we see that as a model for the future of Lichfield.”
Work will begin at St Mary’s this summer to enable the library to occupy the ground floor on a 30 year lease.
Cllr Heath added: “The move is also backed by Lichfield District Council and the City Centre Development Partnership because it will increase footfall, boost the heart of the city and support local traders.
“I think in due course people will see for themselves it will be a wonderful asset for the city.”
Cllr Helen Fisher, Cabinet member for tourism at Lichfield District Council, added: “We’re delighted to have the opportunity to be involved in such an exciting project.
“The move of the library will transform St Mary’s and offer an exciting new space in the historic heart of the city, with new technologies and new ways to engage with literature, history and the story of our fantastic city.
“We are looking forward to working with the county council and the team at St Mary’s to consider how we can incorporate the tourist information service into the building’s new offer.”
