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We launched a 12-week consultation last month and it’s open to all people who live, work or study in North Somerset.
Like many councils across the country, we’re experiencing significant financial challenges due to an increase in demand and costs for services, particularly adult and children services. We must save £44m over the next three years.
This includes saving £433,000 from the library service, about 19.3 per cent of its budget for this financial year.
No decisions have been made on how this saving will be made but we can’t stay the same.
Whatever the outcome, we will continue to provide a quality library service across North Somerset that meets our statutory duty and is fair, accessible and future-proof.
Your feedback, ideas and suggestions on a range of proposed ‘options for change’ are now sought in this consultation, which runs until noon on Friday 24 October.
These ideas include:
- Community-managed libraries: potentially transferring the management of up to three libraries to the community, where they might otherwise close. The three libraries highlighted as potentially at-risk are Winscombe, Pill and Worle.
- Adjusted staffed hours at libraries: changing staffed opening times and expanding self-service options.
- Alternative delivery methods: investing in outreach activities (such as delivering library services in community halls or other council sites).
- Reducing central budgets: cutting central management, stock budgets, and streamlining back-office functions.
- Income generation: exploring increased room hires, partnerships and fundraising to support library services financially.
A number of public drop-in events will take place during the consultation. Visit our website for more details.
Several children’s centres share buildings with libraries so children’s service staff will join library staff during drop-in sessions in Worle and Pill.
The library service is also keen to hear feedback from children and young people so a separate questionnaire is also open for them to complete.
This can be completed online or in your local library.
All feedback will be reviewed after the consultation closes on Friday 24 October and a summary of findings will be published on our website.
Final recommendations will be presented to Cabinet and Full Council in February next year.
Community organisations or groups who would like to explore running or supporting one of the three potentially at-risk libraries are welcome to get in touch and find out more about what’s involved. Email libraries.review@n-somerset.gov.uk.
Read full details about the library service consultation and have your say on our website.
If you need a paper copy of the consultation, email libraries.review@n-somerset.gov.uk.