Opportunity to shape the future of the library service in Albrighton

Shropshire Council is inviting local residents, community enterprises and private sector organisations to help shape and develop the future of Albrighton Library and Customer Service Point – starting with an open afternoon at the library.

The library will be opening its doors on Thursday 30 July 2015 between 3pm and 7pm for library users and local residents to share their thoughts on future opportunities for the service and the building. This is also an opportunity for community enterprises and other organisations to visit the library to look around, talk to staff and find out more about its valuable work, with a view to seeing whether there is a synergy with their own work that could complement the library service and the other community-based services in Albrighton.

The library is located on Station Road and hosts a small Customer Service Point. In addition to the traditional book, video and audio loans, the library provides free public access computers and a range of activities, including those focused on health and well-being, and a home library service.

Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet member with responsibility for libraries, said:

“As a result of financial pressures, we, alongside other councils, face lots of challenges over the coming months and years, meaning that we constantly need to look at the way we do things to ensure that valuable services are delivered in the best and most sustainable way possible.

“Libraries play a big part in the well-being of our communities every day. We are keen to work with local people and organisations to try to find the best solutions to meeting the needs of that local community so that their library can continue to flourish. We look forward to hearing everyone’s ideas.”

Malcom Pate, Chairman of Shropshire Council and local Shropshire Councillor for Albrighton, said:

“The future delivery of Albrighton Library was discussed at a recent Local Joint Committee meeting, and local people made it clear how much they valued the service and that they wanted to be part of shaping its future. This open afternoon will be a great opportunity for ideas and possible opportunities to start to be shared, and I urge people and organisations to come along to be part of the conversation.”

Community enterprises and organisations interested in how Albrighton Library’s service (and the building) could be delivered in the future should visit http://shropshire.gov.uk/doing-business-with-shropshire-council/ for more information, or contact Andrea McWilliams, community enablement officer, Shropshire Council, on 07990 085124.