Council reaches out to residents for views on new library model
Wirral Council has set out proposals that will reshape its libraries services in order to provide comprehensive, modern, accessible and sustainable facilities that will meet the needs of Wirral communities.
The proposals are based around a core eight-site model of council operated library buildings designed to ensure the council meets its statutory duties in providing a ‘comprehensive and efficient’ library service, while still rationalising the service in line with this year’s budget resolution.
Importantly it recognises the broadening role of libraries in today’s society and sets out plans to transform the digital offer that is at the heart of a modern, future-focused service.
The council is now asking the public for their support in shaping the plans further. Library users, stakeholders and people of all ages and from across the borough are being invited to share their views on the proposals.
The consultation process is designed to set out options for a future Library model in Wirral that is focusing on an optimized, accessible, and sustainable service that maximises the use of digital technologies, community outreach and ownership opportunities.
The consultation survey goes live on Tuesday May 6th and will run until Tuesday July 1st.
Local authorities have a legal duty to ensure they provide a ‘comprehensive and efficient’ library service for all people living, working or studying full-time in the area who want to make use of it.
In Wirral, the council has been looking in detail at the library service locally – who uses it, when and how often; what services they access and how they access them, in person or digitally; and where the libraries are, are they in the right place and open at the right times to maximise their value to and usage by local communities?
The Act that stipulates that council’s need to provide a ‘comprehensive and efficient’ library service was the 1964 Libraries and Museums Act. More than 60 years on, libraries are about much more than books and technology and people’s access to information means libraries have had to evolve to meet changing needs and demands.
Over the last few months, Wirral Council has been developing a new operating model for libraries in the borough that aims to not only deliver a service that meets our statutory requirements, but also provides the kind of comprehensive, modern, accessible and sustainable service that will meet the needs of the diverse communities of Wirral.
The proposed eight-site model is comprised of the following locations being open to the public:
- Bebington Central Library
- Birkenhead Central Library
- Eastham
- Heswall
- Moreton
- West Kirby Central Library
- Wallasey Central Library
- Upton
To ensure the library service is comprehensive and sustainable, it is recognised that a full review of the current digital offer is essential. Access to online resources, for those that choose to access them, must be a core element of the offer. The eight -site model will refocus available resources, providing the potential for future investment into both the digital offer and Wirral’s remaining suite of library assets. A reduction in the number of physical sites across Wirral will accelerate the need for the proposed digital review.
The council is looking forward to gearing residents’ views on whether the proposed model will provide boroughwide coverage to make best use of the assets, meet core objectives and support the council’s medium-term financial plan and corporate strategies.
