Still time to have your say on the draft Library Services Strategy

Residents and organisations in Shropshire have until Friday 6 October 2017 to give their feedback on the draft Library Services Strategy.

The strategy sets out the council’s vision to unlock the huge potential that library services have to impact positively on individuals’ lives. It also recognises that this is a challenging time for library services: traditional usage has been declining in recent years, the way that people use library services is shifting, and the financial situation remains difficult.

Books in a Shropshire library

The strategy sets out a hierarchy of library services provision and describes how the council can meet its statutory requirements to provide a “comprehensive and efficient library service for all persons” by providing:

• Static library provision within six Tier 1 locations – Library Hubs – and seven Tier 2 locations – Community Libraries.
• 277 Mobile Library stops, principally responding to challenges of an ageing population and access to services in a rural context.
• Digital library services including 24-hour access to a range of lending and information resources.

Lezley Picton, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for culture and leisure, said:

“There’s already been a good level of response to the draft strategy, but we are keen to take on board as many views as possible. From the feedback received so far we have already seen how the strategy can be improved so I urge everyone to take the opportunity to get involved.”

To take part in the survey go to https://shropshire.gov.uk/ and click on the Get Involved page.  Paper copies of the survey are also be available from libraries and mobile libraries. The survey closes on Friday 6 October 2017.