Consultation over library service proposals given the go-ahead

Derbyshire residents will shortly be able to have their say on proposals which will ensure library buildings in the county remain open, as well as creating a modern, agile, family-friendly and sustainable service across the county.

The council unveiled the proposals in its new draft Derbyshire Public Library Service Strategy `A Modern Library Service for Derbyshire’ last week.

The proposals are aimed at meeting necessary budget savings and reflecting changing patterns of library use while ensuring the service remains as accessible, efficient and cost-effective as possible.

Derbyshire residents will have the opportunity to give their views on the proposals set out in the draft strategy after the council’s Cabinet gave the go-ahead to a public consultation at its meeting held on July 25th.  The proposals cover County Council run libraries in Erewash which are based in Borrowash, Ilkeston, Long Eaton and Sandiacre.

County Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Leadership, Culture, Tourism and Climate Change, Councillor Barry Lewis said: “We fully acknowledge the importance of having a strong library service and the great value placed on it by our communities which is why, despite huge budget pressures continuing to face the council, we are doing all we can to ensure we can offer a modern, agile and sustainable service which is fit-for-the-future.

“I have always said that no libraries will close on my watch, and the proposals contained in the new draft strategy ensure library services are maintained and investment is made where it is needed to not only secure, but also enhance this vital service for years to come, while meeting the differing needs of our communities.”

Following Cabinet’s decision, a 12-week consultation will be launched in August on a date to be confirmed, giving everyone with an interest in the library service the chance to have their say on the draft strategy and its proposals.

The main proposals contained in the draft strategy are:

• to reduce opening hours across the library network by an average of 10%.  Opening hours would be localised for each community and would reflect the busiest periods; neighbouring libraries would not be closed on the same days
• to ensure all libraries open for a time on a Saturday, with larger libraries also opening until 6pm twice a week
• to remove reservation charges for book and talking book requests, where the item is either in print or in stock in Derbyshire libraries, and remove charges for borrowing talking books, to mitigate some of the impact of a reduction in hours
• to merge the mobile service and home library service, to create one `outreach’ service for vulnerable customers and those living in remote areas. The outreach service would use a greener fleet of smaller, lower carbon vehicles, increasing efficiency, lowering costs and reducing the service’s carbon footprint
• to review opportunities to make more efficient use of library buildings, where this can be achieved and either improve or not adversely impact the service. This could involve re-locating some libraries to new, lower cost, more energy efficient sites, co-locating some libraries with other services/organisations or changing the layout of some library buildings to make them more efficient, flexible and accessible. These options if achieved would greatly reduce maintenance and running costs which are high in some older library buildings
• to improve digital provision in all libraries, including access to other council services and installation of self-service terminals in more of the smaller libraries to increase efficiency and accessibility
• to invite volunteers to help support access to library services outside of regular hours - where agreed and appropriate, by introducing a new way of managing provision termed `community-supported libraries’.

The consultation will be widely publicised and people wanting to have their say are being asked to look out for the launch on the council’s website, social media channels and in libraries.

Councillor Barry Lewis said: “We are confident our proposals will ensure libraries and the service as a whole can go from strength to strength for years to come.  I would urge anyone with an interest in libraries and the library service to make sure they take a look at what is being proposed and have their say during the consultation.”

The County Council will announce the date of the consultation launch in the coming weeks.