Proposals to modernise and secure the future of borough and county library services (25th July meeting)

Proposals which will ensure library buildings in Erewash and across Derbyshire remain open, as well as creating a modern, agile, family-friendly and sustainable service, have been revealed by Derbyshire County Council.

The authority has unveiled the proposals in its new draft Derbyshire Public Library Service Strategy `A Modern Library Service for Derbyshire'.

In Erewash, there are County Council run libraries in Borrowash, Ilkeston, Long Eaton and Sandiacre.

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. Under the proposals, libraries will retain their role as strong community hubs and act as `front doors’ to other council services.

Derbyshire residents will have the opportunity to give their views on the proposals set out in the draft strategy if Cabinet gives the go-ahead to a public consultation at its meeting on Thursday 25th July.

Derbyshire County Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Leadership, Culture, Tourism and Climate Change, Councillor Barry Lewis, unveiled the draft strategy and 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.”

The strategy and its proposals, if agreed following public consultation, would change some aspects of how the service is currently run, including a reduction in opening hours across all libraries except the two buildings which are community-managed (Tideswell and Woodville) to support the service to make its necessary budget savings.

Like many authorities across the country, the council continues to face significant budgetary pressures far greater than experienced before due to factors beyond its control. These include dealing with higher than anticipated inflation, higher prices for fuel, energy and materials and a continued unprecedented increase in demand for adults’ and children’s social care services.

Library service savings of £625,000 are to be made by 2028-29 and were included in a number of budget savings proposals put forward earlier this year to support the council setting a balanced budget over the course of its Five-Year Financial Plan up to 2028-29.

The draft `A Modern Library Service for Derbyshire’ strategy details how the budget savings could be made in four phases over the next four years, with additional public consultation being undertaken where needed during that time.

The draft strategy also sets out proposals to mitigate the impact of reduced opening hours where possible through investing in technology in smaller libraries and in replacement, low carbon vehicles for the mobile and home library services. These proposals would help generate greater efficiencies and make the service more agile and flexible while reducing its carbon footprint.

Building on past success at Killamarsh, opportunities to co-locate or relocate library services into more energy efficient buildings, alongside options for better use of the space within existing buildings will also be explored under the proposals. Views from local communities and groups will be invited on where these opportunities may exist as part of the consultation exercise, and the use of volunteers to enhance what libraries can offer in communities will also be explored, with residents interested in teaming up with their local libraries being encouraged to express an interest during the public consultation if it is agreed.

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’.

Councillor Barry Lewis said: “A lot of hard work, thought and planning has gone into developing this new draft strategy which we are confident will ensure libraries and the service as a whole can go from strength to strength for years to come.

“Due to the budget issues still facing the council, the service must make some savings and we believe the proposals, including a relatively small reduction in opening hours, are the best and fairest way to achieve them. If the proposed consultation on the draft strategy is agreed, we will look forward to hearing everyone’s views. No decisions will be made before people have had the opportunity to have their say.

“We have always been determined to ensure libraries remain open across all our communities which is what these plans will achieve. Over the next four years we will continue to develop and reshape the service, working with communities to explore re-location and co-location options which will strengthen what they can offer, making them more accessible while increasing footfall and ensuring they are as efficient as they can be.”