The future of how library services are provided in the town will be discussed at a Cabinet meeting on 16 December.
Library services provide access to books, online resources including eBooks, eMagazines and eAudiobooks, computers with internet, as well as a programme of events and activities for adults and children.
Total library membership in the borough is 40,000 people, of which 15,514 are active borrowers (borrowing at least once a year and physically borrowing from a library). The main age group of active members 5-12, followed by 18-59, then 13-17.
The report to Cabinet is asking Members to consider two options and approve for these options to be put forward for consultation.
- Option 1 - Reduce the library staffing budget to deliver savings by removing two vacant posts.
- Option 2 - Cease operating library services from Cippenham and Langley library buildings.
At this point, the decision is to consult on these options, no decision on changes to the library service will be made until Members discuss all options with feedback in Spring 2025.
The proposed consultation will ask for a range of feedback, looking in detail at how the options being put forward could make an impact and what alternative models for the library service could look like.
The recommended proposal suggests condensing library services into fewer buildings, stopping services from Cippenham and Langley libraries. These would continue to be provided at Britwell and The Curve, which are two of the council’s key operational sites for public facing services.
The reduction in staffing budget would be achieved by not recruiting to two vacant posts.
The report going to Cabinet on Monday 16 December contains data on current library usage and opening times which has formed the basis of the current proposals to consult.
In 2021/2022, the council ran a consultation into library use. Feedback showed the library service is highly valued, with 80% of library transactions completed through self-service kiosks and 70% of all hard copy items issued being from the children’s library.
The results meant reduced opening hours and staffed hours at libraries, though always keeping them open at the most popular times, and a commitment to always keep two libraries open on Saturdays. The new schedule of opening hours began on 1 April 2023, as part of the council’s 2023-24 savings plan.
In the council’s current financial situation, keeping four libraries open is not considered affordable and making no changes is a risk to the council’s financial sustainability. This is the reason for considering alternative options.
Currently, operating hours in Cippenham and Langley are limited. Reducing to two libraries would maximise the use of the buildings and enable Britwell library to become a staffed library, rather than self-service. It would also mean the publications budget would be spread across two buildings, instead of four and the proportion of the publications budget spent on online resources would increase.
There is a small Library at Home service operating, supported by volunteers who take library books to the homes of people who are unable to leave their home to come to a library. Recruiting more volunteers could expand this offering.
There will always be a 24/7 online offer, where books can be renewed, and e-resources can be accessed.
Councillor Puja Bedi, lead member for education and children’s services, said: “We are committed to providing our valued library service, to the benefit of our residents and to enable access to books from a young age.
“This opens a discussion on what we believe is an opportunity to improve the library service by using resources to best effect.
“There needs to be a consultation about these ideas, to give plenty of time for residents to share their feedback before results are presented back to Cabinet in the spring.”
The potential savings from the proposed model is £60,000 in staffing and £135,000 in building costs. If a decision is made to close these buildings, they could be sold, and the money used to help contribute towards the financial sustainability of the council.
The public consultation is for current library users, or those who access services in Cippenham and Langley buildings, and people who do not currently use libraries but may do in the future.
The consultation will last for 10 weeks and will run from 17 December to 25 February 2025. There will be an online survey and virtual and in-person consultation and stakeholder events, to encourage participation from as many areas as possible, including residents, partners, community groups and schools.