The charity representing library services in England, Wales and Northern Ireland has launched a support programme for at-risk services in the wake of proposed budget cuts across the country, including in Denbighshire, Nottingham and Swindon.
On Wednesday, Libraries Connected announced that more than 20 library services, representing around 650 public, prison and mobile libraries, have joined the charity’s scheme, which offers a confidential peer support network, resource library, tailored training and communications support. It hopes the programme, launched in response to “the financial crisis engulfing local authorities” in England and Wales, will help councils maintain “effective, inclusive and sustainable” local library services with reduced resources.
In December, a Local Government Association study found that almost one in five council leaders and chief executives believe it is very or fairly likely that they will issue a section 114 notice, in effect declaring bankruptcy, this year or next. “We are deeply concerned by the growing number of councils issuing statutory section 114 notices, and the effect this is already having on library services,” said Libraries Connected chief executive Isobel Hunter.
The programme, launched at the end of December, comes amid a slew of budget cut proposals affecting libraries. In December, Denbighshire council approved a 40% cut to library opening hours, aimed at saving £360,000 a year. A public consultation on the proposal received 4,500 responses, with more than 90% of respondents strongly disagreeing with the plan.
The same month, Swindon council said that it had no plans to close any of its five core libraries, despite needing to make cuts of £660,000 to the service’s budget. “We will be making the savings by doing things differently and managing the service differently,” said council leader Jim Robbins.
Nottingham city council, which issued a section 114 notice in November, has proposed a review to its library service, which could include cuts of £1.5m and a loss of 31 jobs. A public consultation on the proposed cuts is open until 16 January.
Libraries Connected said it will use data and case studies gathered through the programme to develop recommendations for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Arts Council England and other sector bodies.
“While we recognise that no service can be fully protected, there are clear economic and social reasons why libraries should be safeguarded,” said Hunter. “Libraries have a demonstrable long-term impact on literacy, health, employment, digital inclusion and many more outcomes.
“They are also a cost-effective and efficient means to deliver a range of council services within communities. Our new support programme will help library leaders make that case to senior officers, elected members and government-appointed commissioners.”
In December, Raunds library in North Northamptonshire was taken over by volunteers after being threatened with closure. The same month, Derbyshire county council approved in principle plans to relocate Staveley library in Chesterfield, and are continuing to back plans to relocate nearby Clay Cross library as part of cost-saving plans.
“Ultimately, the council funding crisis cannot be solved without a fair, long-term financial settlement for local government,” said Hunter. “Until then, we are ready to work with local authorities to deliver the best possible library service within the financial constraints they face.”
