The presentation will provide an update on the progress of the Library Review and options out for public consultation.
Minutes:
The Chair introduced Elizabeth Binns (Head of Libraries) and Klare Rufo (Assistant Director Learning and Culture) who had attended the meeting to give a presentation on the progress of the Library Review and the options for library service provision included in a public consultation.
Elizabeth Binns explained the financial position of the Council and the decisions required to ensure that a comprehensive Library Service continued to be provided within Bury. In making the decisions the Council was aware of the value the people of Bury have for libraries through the services they provide.
The two options being consulted on included:
Option 1: Retaining Bury, Ramsbottom and Prestwich Libraries plus a service wide team
Option 2: Retaining Bury, Ramsbottom, Prestwich and Radcliffe Libraries plus a smaller service wide team
The timetable for changes to be made to the Library Service is as follows:
· Public Consultation on proposed models / options for change ends 26 April 2017.
· Final report with decisions to Cabinet to be submitted on May 18 2017.
· Implementation of decisions from August 1 2017.
The Chair invited questions.
Could a library provision be made available from community buildings?
Yes collections could be provided although a library staff resource would not be included. It was hoped that community groups would take the responsibility to provide the service and lend the books to users. For those groups interested in setting up a service a register would be created.
Could the use of e-books be increased for lenders?
Yes Bury Library Service would be joining a Greater Manchester library consortium that would see a significant increase in the number of e-books being made available. This would involve the introduction of new library management system for users.
From the Libraries budget of £2.4 million, what does the £400,000 recharge pay for?
The recharge is calculated to cover a number of internal services needed to support the running of the Library Service such as financial, legal services, transport, waste collection, cleaning and human resources as well as other requirements such as insurance.
Are there any future proposals for the use of the Whitefield Library building if it is no longer used as a library?
No decisions have been made on the future uses of buildings.
In view of the 80% coverage that would provided by the four libraries identified within Option 2, could arrangements be made to provide a mobile library service for those residents living outside those areas?
A home delivery service currently provides a library service for residents who may find it difficult to travel to their local library.
Will provision be made to support groups providing social contact for residents through interest groups and societies?
The Council will work to help groups to locate accommodation. Also library users are being asked if they could become involved in helping people get to their library.
Councillor Jones reported that the Elms Community Centre could potentially provide the space for a supply of books and reading material.
Mrs Taylor used Oldham Library as an example of successful partnership working combining different elements to create a hub for learning, information, culture and social development. Reference was also made to exhibits within the sculpture hall and the previous use of the area as a reference library.
Klare Rufo explained that the Council’s role was to provide an environment to best promote art and culture within Bury.
The point was made that moving library provision to Prestwich Library would be difficult for users because of the access to parking and changes to the highway.
The Chair thanked Elizabeth and Klare for their attendance at the meeting and presentation.
It was agreed:
That the presentation be comments questions and suggestions be noted.