LIBRARY services in south Shropshire, both mobile and building-based, are under close scrutiny by county councillors.
Shropshire Council is currently involved in what it calls ‘an innovative approach to delivering libraries’ – possibly including having volunteers to run them. It will receive government support to develop such services.
John Palmer, council spokesman said: “Fifty-one proposals from over 100 councils, were received by the government to explore future options for the delivery of library services in light of changing customer demands, new opportunities to work with local communities, and taking advantage of developments in technologies.
“A proposal made jointly by Shropshire with Herefordshire Council reflects a number of challenges, not least delivering services in rural areas. The project will consider the use of new models of service, building on both councils’ experience in working with communities to run libraries.”
The joint submission includes working much more closely with communities on neighbourhood libraries. The library in Cleobury Mortimer is part run by the private sector.
LibDem councillor Heather Kidd said she would be closely watching developments. “The important thing here is that the rural areas and market towns do not end up the poor relation with fewer library services as well as the threats to Legal Aid, courts, amenity skips and bus services. Thinking that volunteers can do this as well as the huge number of things they are already involved in could be a little ambitious.”
Shropshire mobile library service is also ‘under review.’ A consultation began in July to give residents the opportunity to provide comments and suggestions. Shropshire Council wants the public’s view on what it should be doing to make the service ‘relevant to the needs of those living in the rural areas in the 21st century’.
A cross-party group of councillors is to look at what mobile libraries, including the home delivery service, actually do and how it could be done better.
Questionnaires are available at libraries and customer service points or there’s an online questionnaire at www.shropshire.gov.uk/library.nsf The deadline for submitting the questionnaire is October 4.