A consultation on proposed changes to library services in County Durham will begin today.
Members of Durham County Council’s Cabinet today agreed to seek feedback on plans that would enable all library buildings to remain open despite reductions in Government funding.
The consultation, which will begin today (Friday), will give library-users, staff and the general public the chance to give their views on proposals to retain the existing 12 town centre and 27 community libraries, reduce opening hours and review the mobile library service.
Cllr Maria Plews, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for leisure, libraries and lifelong learning, said: “The council needs to make savings of £159.2m by 2015/16 and at the same time also needs to respond to changing demand for library services as the number of active borrowers declines.
“These proposals would enable us to keep all our libraries open and make the required savings while still providing a high quality service.
“However, it is important, that the public feel our plans are suitable and I would, therefore, encourage residents to take part in the consultation.”
Library opening times currently vary from 21 hours per week in smaller venues to 55.5 hours at Clayport, in Durham. The proposals would see the opening hours for all town centre libraries, excluding Clayport, reduced to a core 36 hours per week, with community libraries operating a core 20 hours per week.
The proposals would also see changes to the mobile library service, which has seen a significant drop in membership from 7,800 in March 2008 to 3,538 in March 2011.
Under the new strategy, it is proposed that the service visit only those communities at least four miles from a library building, with only one halt in each settlement the library visits.
The consultation will last for 12 weeks, ending on Friday, 4 May.
Comments can be submitted in any of the following ways:
· Email: [email protected]
· Write to: Library Consultation, Performance Management Team, Adults Wellbeing & Health, County Hall, Durham, DH1 5UG.
Anyone who needs help to complete the consultation form can call 0191 383 4403.
For further details of the proposals visit www.durham.gov.uk and click on the Have your Say link.
Any comments received after the closure of the consultation will not be considered.