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Don't Keep Your Voice Down For The Future Of Local Libraries
| Author: Emma Gorringe, Media Officer, CBC | Published: 26th October 2011 12:15 |
Don't Keep Your Voice Down For
The Future Of Local Libraries
Cllr Ian Dalgarno launches the Future of Libraries
consultation at Sandy LibraryResidents across Central Bedfordshire are being encouraged to get involved in shaping the future of libraries, following the successful Big Library debate over the summer. The council received over 2000 responses from local residents and stakeholders, and is using all the feedback collected to inform the future direction of local services.
To mark the launch, yesterday (25th) councillors and officers met with library users and children, who were taking part in the ‘Spooky Storytime' half term activities at Sandy Library.
The Library review is all about helping to shape the future of the service, making sure it meets the needs of future generations and offers best value for money.
Central Bedfordshire Libraries are at the heart of local communities and provide a gateway to information, learning and resources for all ages and the council wants to ensure that the service is fit for the 21st century, making best use of modern technology and allowing easy access for all to benefit.
Cllr Ian Dalgarno, Deputy Executive Member for Leisure Services at Central Bedfordshire Council, said: "We want to assure residents that the council is not intending to close libraries. The aim of the Future of Libraries consultation is to help improve the services which local libraries currently offer, making them modern and even more accessible to the local community.
"We want our libraries to still look and feel like libraries, and provide the services resident's value. Each library could be very different to meet the needs of the local people. We also want them to be really great places for people of all ages to learn skills that will help them to get jobs. Your views on what you want in your local library will help us to set our Library strategy for the next 15 years."
Spooky craft time at the Future of Libraries
consultation launchFrom what residents have told us already it is clear that libraries are valued by both regular users and non-users, and the most important part of the service is around the lending of books, CDs, DVDs and spoken word material with friendly, helpful and informative staff.
Following the Big Library Debate over the summer, library users in Ampthill commented;
"The staff at Ampthill Library are so helpful and friendly. Nothing is too much of a problem especially with regard to helping my children. My daughter loved storytime before she started school."
Cllr Dalgarno, added: "Like many services across the country, the library service in Central Bedfordshire faces significant challenges. We need to find ways to save money and continue to deliver - and improve - a service that meets local needs and the needs of future generations."
From all the information, analysis and opinions collated so far, the council has developed a set of ambitions for the library service, which reflects the things local people and councillors think are important, and the way the council would like to improve in the future.
To deliver a "vibrant, high quality, relevant and sustainable library service for the people of Central Bedfordshire for the 21st century" by involving local people in making decisions about their library, being accessible when, where, and how people want to access their services, and helping children, young people, and adults to improve skills and learn.
People can respond to the Future of Libraries consultation by completing the online survey via the Council's website http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/consultations or by collecting hard copies at local libraries throughout Central Bedfordshire. The consultation closes on 18 January 2012.
All responses will inform the 15 year Library strategy that will be presented to the council in Spring 2012 where a final decision will be agreed.
Central Bedfordshire currently has twelve libraries, one resource centre, the Library Link housebound service and the online ‘virtual library'. The budget for 2012/13 is £2.8M and the service has to make savings of £435,000 over the next two years. The service employs 75 staff (full time equivalents) and works with over 130 volunteers.
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