Libraries consultation begins

Libray jan 2018 copy low resThe future of Biddulph Library will be decided after a three month long consultation by Staffordshire County Council.

The consultation is over the best way forward for Staffordshire’s libraries in an effort to save a further £1.3 million by 2021. People will be asked to comment on options for each of the remaining 20 libraries, specifically:

Maintaining and extending existing opening hours by using technology to allow registered users access to the library outside core hours. No library would become completely self-service;

Maintaining and extending existing opening hours by using more volunteers;

Becoming a community-managed library, where a group takes over the management and day-to-day running, with access to all the council’s library resources, while the authority remains responsible for agreed utility bills and maintenance costs.

Gill Heath, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet member for Communities, said: This consultation is about looking to the future and examining ideas already being used in other parts of the country to see how we can keep our libraries relevant to people’s changing needs.”

The consultation lasts until April 1 and there will be events at every county council managed library and at 10 mobile and travelling library stops. People can also use www.staffordshire.gov.uk/connectedlibraries to leave their comments, fill in a questionnaire at any library, or email connectedlibraries@staffordshire.gov.uk to have their say.

There is an open meeting at Biddulph library on the 6th February 3 – 6pm, to discuss the future of the library, and also consultation forms to be completed .

Gill Heath said: Nothing is set in stone, but we want to talk to different communities about different ideas and discuss the possibilities for the way forward.”

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