Dudley Council has set out a modernisation programme to create a library service fit for the 21st Century.

 

As part of the programme there will be a £2million capital investment programme in the borough’s library service including a new library for Brierley Hill in partnership with Stourbridge College and a major refurbishment of Wordsley Library.

 

In addition, new services called Library Links will be introduced in Woodside, Dudley Wood, Quarry Bank and Pensnett.  These will be based in existing shared community facilities and will provide more than 1500 books, computer access, personal service from library staff and activities such as homework clubs, reading groups and other activities following consultation with the local communities.

 

 

The new Library Links will provide contemporary facilities which are designed to meet the needs of local communities.

 

There’ll be a minimum of 1,500 books to choose, computer access, self issue facilities and comfortable seating.  Library Link users will also be able to browse online resources to reserve books from other libraries and have them delivered to the link the next day. 

 

Earlier this year the locations of two of the new Library Links were announced following consultation with local residents.  Dudley Wood Library Link will be located in Dudley Wood neighbourhood learning centre and Woodside Library Link will be located at the new Highgate Children’s Centre.

 

:: more on Library Link locations

 

The background to the modernisation programme is that despite achieving high satisfaction rates in recent surveys the number of active library users has declined in recent years.  In 1998 there were 88,500 active users but by 2007 this had fallen to 63,496.  In addition many of the council’s libraries are in need of refurbishment or are no longer fit for purpose.

 

Therefore five of the borough’s 18 libraries were identified as no longer fit for purpose as they were considerably under used.  Together they contribute only six per cent of library issues and five per cent of library visits across the borough.

 

As this is an inefficient use of resources it was proposed that Dudley Wood, Woodside, Quarry Bank, Amblecote and Wall Heath libraries would close.

Proposals were approved by cabinet and ratified by full council in December 2007

Previous news releases and cabinet report

 

 

Cabinet Report 12th September 2007. Report of the Director of Adult, Community and Housing Services. Providing A Modern Library Library Service In Dudley MBC - modernisation programme.