A series of in-person and online events have been organised for the library service consultation.
Councillors agreed to go out to consultation on two proposed changes for the future of the library service, at their meeting on 16 December:
- Reduce the library staffing budget to deliver savings by removing two vacant posts.
- Cease operating library services from Cippenham and Langley library buildings.
The consultation will ask for a range of feedback, looking in detail at how the proposals being put forward could make an impact and what alternative models for the library service could look like.
No decision on changes to the library service will be made until Members discuss all proposals using feedback from this consultation in Spring 2025.
The consultation is open for 10 weeks, from 17 December to 25 February 2025.
There is an online survey and the following virtual and in-person consultation and stakeholder events, to encourage participation from as many areas as possible, including residents, partners, community groups and schools.
Online sessions
- Tuesday 14 January - 6.30-7.30pm
- Tuesday 11 February, 6.30-7.30pm
To attend these, reserve a place via Eventbrite.
In-person events
January
- Saturday 11, Cippenham Library, 11am-1pm
- Thursday 16, Cippenham Library, 12noon-2pm and 3-4pm
- Friday 17, The Curve, 2-4pm
- Tuesday 21, Langley Library, 3-5pm
- Thursday 23, Britwell Library, 11am-1pm
- Saturday 25, Langley Library, 11am-1pm
February
- Wednesday 19, Cippenham Library, 11am-1pm
- Wednesday 19, Langley Library, 3-5pm
Councillor Puja Bedi, lead member for education and children’s services, said: “We are committed to providing a quality library service for the borough and we are looking at innovative ways to do this for the future. The way libraries are used has changed over time and what was best before might not be best now. We are exploring proposals for a modern service that could fit both with what people want and make best use of our resources.
“We would appreciate feedback on the proposals from a wide range of people and groups. The virtual and in-person sessions offer the opportunity to find out more about the reasons behind the proposals and to ask any questions. We will thoroughly consider all the feedback before a final decision about the future library service provision is made in the spring.”
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.
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.
Find out more, and have your say, visit the consultation webpage.