Consultation over the proposed future shape of library
services in North Somerset is to take place with staff and the
wider community over the next few weeks.
We have to make savings of £47.3 million over the next
three years, meaning that for every £3 we spend now we will
only have £2 by 2015.
As part of the budget reduction proposals our library service
has to save £347,000 over the next three years. To do this the
service has carried out a review with a series of proposals that
are now being consulted upon.
The review has highlighted the council’s intention to continue
to provide library services in communities that already receive
them, to invest in services where it can and not to close
libraries.
The main areas for change and improvement proposed in the review
include the use of self-service terminals in most libraries by the
summer, proposed new opening hours, staffing levels and getting the
community involved.
Self-service lets customers do more for themselves and frees up
staff to interact with them more.
It is hoped that the reduction in staff levels will be carried
out through not filling vacant positions and staff offering to
change their hours or to take voluntary redundancy. It is hoped
that there will be few, if any, compulsory redundancies.
Following analysis into changing patterns in library usage
proposals for library opening hours are also being put forward.
Some libraries will be open longer, including Sunday opening,
others won’t change and some will see a reduction in hours.
Despite the severe budget pressures on the service, investment
in libraries is still taking place. Last year a new
state-of-the-art library opened in Portishead and the new
Weston-super-Mare Library will open next year.
Cllr Felicity Baker, executive member with responsibility for
libraries, said: "Although we face severe financial pressures, our
proposals seek to keep services and not to close libraries as other
councils have proposed.
"In recent years we have also seen a significant increase in the
number of customers choosing to renew and reserve books, at their
convenience, by using our online service, approximately 150,000
online visits each year.
"We want to continue to provide library services to communities
that currently get them. For us to do this we are proposing some
changes to opening hours and different ways of working, but this is
better than closing libraries completely."
Library staff in North Somerset have been kept informed about
the proposals and have been briefed and given the consultation
documents today (Monday 9 January). Meetings with the unions have
taken place and will continue to do so during the consultation
process.
From 16 January, the council would like to hear the public’s
views on the proposed opening hours and facilities provided in
libraries and if residents want to get more involved with their
local library. Comments forms will be available at libraries.
Feedback can also be made by email at
libraryreview2012@n-somerset.gov.uk
Comments can also be made online at
www.n-somerset.gov.uk/libraryreview2012
