Public consultation on ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ libraries starts today
People in ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ are being invited to help shape the future of the library ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ in the city through a public consultation which includes online and in-person engagements.
The ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ libraries consultation will be running from Thursday 4th April 2024 until Wednesday 17th July 2024. The review of our library ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ aims to achieve greater efficiency and value for money, and the continuing provision of a library service. While savings have been announced, final decisions have not been made on what the library service will look like in the future; the public consultation will help inform any next steps.
We want to work with local people to find flexible and sustainable ways of providing library ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½. The following information details the recommended options, a move away from our current 35 community libraries to a mixed delivery model of the following:
- BCC run ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Library hubs open 5 days per week providing library and early intervention and prevention ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½
- BCC ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Library hubs open part time hours providing library and early intervention and prevention ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½
- BCC staff co-located with partners/community groups providing library ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½
- ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ groups running library ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ via ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Asset Transfer
- Library of ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½
- Expansion of mobile provision
- Prison Library
- Virtual (digital) Library
- Self Service
- Libraries at Home Service
Based on current information on community interest and co-location opportunities, we estimate a combination of the council run and community-led provision might secure circa 25 building-based library ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½. This figure may change through the consultation as we gather more information.
Prior to taking part in the consultation, we highly encourage a review of the documents which have been produced, this includes the draft libraries strategy framework, a FAQ document and a consultation launch pack. This information, along can be found on the budget consultation webpage via the following link here: