People asked for views about future of Ellesmere Library
Residents in Ellesmere and the surrounding area are being encouraged to give their views on proposals for the town’s library and customer service point as part of a consultation that runs from today (Friday 2 October 2015) until Monday 16 November 2015.
The proposals are being put forward following conversations between Shropshire Council and local partners to explore the best way to ensure the future sustainability of the library.
No decisions have yet been made, and there is still an opportunity for community organisations and residents to come up with alternative options.
The consultation asks people to consider and comment on three options:
1. To relocate the library and customer service point provision to Meres Day Centre, Trimpley Road, Ellesmere.*
2. For the library to remain under Shropshire Council management but with reduced opening hours.
3. Are there any other alternatives that Shropshire Council should consider that would assist in meeting its required outcomes to reduce costs and deliver sustainable services?
Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for business and culture, said:
“Libraries are an integral part of the community and this is why we have been working extremely hard with our partners to ensure we can find sustainable solutions to enable libraries to continue to thrive for future generations to come.
“I hope that this consultation will attract a high level of response to help us find the best way to maintain the library in Ellesmere, within the budgets available.
“We very much look forward to hearing people’s views on these proposals, particularly any alternative options that people may want to put forward.”
Comments can be submitted online by going to shropshire.gov.uk/get-involved and searching for Ellesmere Library.
Residents can also pick up a questionnaire along with the proposals and Frequently-Asked Questions at Ellesmere Library, Ellesmere Town Council offices, Ellesmere Post Office, and Ellesmere Newsagents.
Further information
- *Under this option the-day-to day running of the services, alongside the management of existing services for older people and people with learning disabilities, would transfer to a new community-focused organisation (to be confirmed following a procurement process). Existing library staff would transfer to the new provider, who would continue to provide the same range of services and maintain the current opening times as a minimum.
- One suggestion made at a recent drop-in event was the development of a community-based project in Fullwood House that would support the current library provision. However, this would need a provider to come forward.
- The consultation is part of wider work Shropshire Council is undertaking with partner organisations and communities across Shropshire, to ensure libraries and other key face-to-face services continue to be delivered in a sustainable and more cost-effective way.
