officers present two options for the future of the Library Service.
Retaining the 10 Librarians we currently have, who would do outreach work, the home book delivery service and the translation service, is extremely important.
It’s vital that we keep the home delivery service as this not only allows those that are house bound to have access to books, but preforms a vital service ensuring that these people get some contact with the outside world and that someone has checked on their wellbeing.
The translation of books to braille is clearly important and we are very pleased that we are able to retain this element of the service.
It was pleasing to read the article in the Examiner, providing a well-balanced report on the proposals and spelt out the position in a clear manner that indicated the tough decisions we’re facing.
To combat the worst case scenario, if communities can work together with their local councillors I am sure that we will be able to retain a number of libraries.
I am a trustee of a community group involved in a project in Denby Dale, where cross party political working and the involvement of members of the public are working together to create a new community facility, to house a library, provide space for local community groups to meet etc.
As a council, if community’s can join together and come up with a solid business plan to run their library that is robust and has a long term future, we are more than happy for them to have the buildings transferred to them under our asset disposal programme.
This is an issue that should be above political points scoring, and it’s good to see that on social media some Councillors have seen this as a challenge and are prepared to work with their communities to find innovative solutions to this issue.
It’s no good just sitting back and saying I will fight these proposals; it’s time for action not rhetoric. The signs are there that political point scoring is being put to one side and the importance of community taking its place, in recognition of the severe cuts faced by this council.
Cllr Graham Turner
Portfolio Holder for Resources
