Library Latest

Last week the Leader of the Council, Keith Mitchell issued a Personal Statement about potential library closures which you can read in full here:

I have personally received a wealth of letters and e-mails about libraries. I recognise that people feel very strongly about this issue. I want to reassure people that the County Council is looking at all options and has an open mind about the outcome of the consultation I want the Council to work hand-in-hand with local communities to find a way to keep libraries open in Oxfordshire and to forge ahead with creating a modern library service that is comprehensive and efficient. I want to see libraries remain open but this can only happen if, in some places, volunteers step forward to help to run them. We have seen how effective a Friends Group can be and believe they should form an essential component of every library service provided by the Council. In the coming year I want to work with every community that does not yet have one to establish a Library Friends Group to work with our staff to agree the best way forward for that library. In places where the Council provides a full library service I hope that costs can be kept down by encouraging volunteers to supplement Council staff and by increasing the use of self service. In some places there are lots of community buildings and I want the Council to work with local people to see if we can make better use of these facilities, particularly where the current library building is not very suitable. In those places where the Council cannot afford to provide a full library service, I want the Council to give ongoing access to important local library facilities. More specifically, I believe we should continue to provide free access to a suitable library building, to our book stock; to the library stock management system and the expertise of qualified librarians. I have already announced that an additional late government grant has enabled us to put a little more money back into the service, giving the opportunity to rethink our strategy and to take longer over consultation. As part of the consultation, I want the County Council to have a dialogue with local people library-by-library. The consultation into the future of the library service will begin in mid-May. The consultation will run until the end of September to give plenty of time to hear people’s views and to consider options. However, we still need to make some savings. No decisions have been taken. Officers are working hard to rethink the process, complete the needs assessment and put together a consultation document. It is not appropriate to say any more at this time. Further information will be available in the consultation document.

This statement coincided with a meeting of the Friends of Grove Library group last Thursday evening to which I had invited Cllr. Judith Heathcoat, who has the portfolio responsibility for Safer and Stronger Communities at the County Council which includes libraries. The Assistant County Librarian also came along to help answer the many questions which were fielded from the floor. It was a constructive meeting which must have been attended by around 60-70 people where we were told that we are back to the drawing board, we should respond to the consultation which begins in May and there is everything to play for.

What came across loud and clear is how important it is to ensure that an extended library will be needed if further housing development comes to Grove. This must be negotiated with developers as part of the planning obligations (Section 106 agreement). We should be looking to improve our library and community facilities in Grove, not closing them.