Cost-cutting changes needed to 'modernise' Northumberland library services are approved
Northumberland County Council’s cabinet have approved a sweeping revamp of library services in the county to modernise the service and cut costs.
It follows an extensive consultation which saw almost 6,000 people have their say.
The council had said changes were necessary to ensure the library service remained sustainable moving forward.
The council currently operates 29 libraries of various sizes across the county, with no full closures planned.
It is hoped the major overhaul will save the council £300,000 from its annual budget.
A key feature of the new model is the blending of customer contact with library provision.
This means there will be 21 locations across the county where people can physically access support and advice if they can’t access digital solutions to their queries – significantly extending reach into communities through library buildings.
Council leader Glen Sanderson said: “Opposition councillors predicted this would be the beginning of the end of our library services, with people thrown onto the unemployment scrapheap. But that has not happened.
“We have a brilliant new proposal. We have a great new future for our library service, we haven’t closed any down and we haven’t made any compulsory redundancies.”
The original plans have now been adapted, based on the wealth of public and staff feedback and contributions received.
Hub libraries – the biggest and busiest in the county, would be staffed for 46 hours a week – at Ashington, Berwick, Blyth, Hexham and Morpeth, while Primary Plus libraries at Alnwick, Cramlington and Prudhoe will be staffed for 43 hours a week.
New technology is also being pioneered, that will introduce more self service options in some areas of the county over a three-year period.
Cllr Wendy Pattison, cabinet member for Leisure, Tourism and Culture, said: “Not only will we have a new and improved library service, it will also strengthen our local presence by creating a more convenient and accessible front door for our council services.
“Residents in rural and remote communities, who may previously have needed to travel to one of our six Customer Information Centres, will be able to access face-to-face advice, guidance and support from any of the 21 libraries within the county.
“The new model, which will be introduced from next January, will retain the best elements of a traditional library service while ensuring we embrace modern technology and have a flexible offer which reflects how many people now live their lives.”