5 - Major investment in library services

Archived news release from 2007

 

A proposal to go before cabinet on September 12 sets out a capital programme of refurbishment and improvements to council libraries.  It is designed to ensure the Dudley library service meets national standards set by the government. 

 

This will release valuable resources to allow investment in the service such as a new library for Brierley Hill in partnership with Stourbridge College, a major refurbishment of Wordsley Library and improvements to other libraries, including self issue, which will release staff to support customers.

 

In addition new services called Library Links are proposed in Woodside, Dudley Wood and Quarry Bank.  These will be based in existing shared community facilities and will provide more than 1500 books, computer access and the opportunity to reserve books from other libraries and have them delivered to the link the following day.

 

The background to these improvements 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 library buildings are in need of refurbishment or are no longer fit for purpose and it would cost £2.6million to get four of the least used libraries up to a reasonable condition. 

 

Five of the borough’s 18 libraries have been identified as no longer fit for purpose and/or considerably underused.  Together they only contribute six per cent of library issues and five per cent of library visits across the borough.

 

This is an inefficient use of resources.  It is therefore proposed to close Dudley Wood, Woodside, Quarry Bank, Amblecote and Wall Heath libraries with library services provided elsewhere.

 

The new Library Links will be in place and ready to open before any nearby library and it will be supported by library staff. 

 

A fourth Library Link in Pensnett and an extension to Kingswinford Library will also form part of the long term plan for the service.

 

Users at Wall Heath Library have an available alternative at Kingswinford library, less than a mile away.  Meanwhile, users at Amblecote can use Wordsley Library, which is less than a mile away or Stourbridge Library.

 

All the money from the closure of the five underused libraries will be ring-fenced and reinvested in the service. 

 

The aim is to improve access to services, providing full support to encourage readers, learners and computer users.  Libraries will be more accessible, with longer opening hours, advanced technology and better stock to meet local demand. 

 

Currently Dudley libraries meet seven out of ten national library standards.  These proposals will lead to the council meeting all ten through increased opening hours and visitor numbers, with less time taken to replenish stock.

 

“The proposed plan for modernisation is about improving the service for all our customers.  To do this we need a sustainable service in viable buildings while making better use of public resources. 

 

“It will involve significant investment to deliver an excellent and more flexible service, which meets national standards.  Libraries will be open longer and we hope to encourage more users through the new library links.

 

“We understand a major service change brings with it uncertainty.  We would like to thank staff for their continued commitment to delivering a service which continues to improve amid changes which are necessary to deliver a modern library service fit for the 21^st century.

 

“We can assure staff that their employment will be safeguarded.”

 

The future library service will have 13 full staffed libraries and four Library Links.  Opening hours will be improved in each library and one main library in each area will be open Monday to Friday until 7pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm and also on Sundays.

 

For a full copy of the cabinet report go to http://cmis.dudley.gov.uk/CMISWebPublic/Binary.ashx?Document=9351