Cabinet asked to approve library service consultation

Shropshire Council’s Cabinet is to be asked to approve a 12-week public consultation on proposals to shape the future of the Shropshire Libraries Service.

The report to Cabinet stresses that the council is committed to ensuring that library services continue to meet the needs of local communities, and that no decisions have been made.

If approved at the Cabinet meeting on 18 November [2027] the consultation would invite residents, communities and stakeholders to share their views on the proposals, and invite alternative suggestions.

All responses to the public consultation would be carefully considered before being presented to Cabinet in spring 2027 for a final decision.

The proposals that are set to go out to consultation have been drawn up following a needs assessment, which gives detailed information about library usage and demand, in light of the council’s financial emergency.

They are:

Reduce opening hours of the six principal libraries (Shrewsbury, Oswestry, Ludlow, Market Drayton, Bridgnorth, Whitchurch) to 30 hours per week

Note: Shropshire Council will also continue to explore with town and parish councils, community and voluntary sector groups any potential support to their local library delivery which may off-set any proposed reduction in opening hours.

Closure of the library at The Lantern, Shrewsbury

Note: The catchment is entirely within the catchment for Shrewsbury’s main library, with Shrewsbury the only town that has two libraries The proposal is to close the library, not the entire building or other services that are delivered from it.

Closure of Gobowen Library

Note: The closest library to Gobowen is Oswestry library, a principal library, which is located three miles away.  Almost as many users in the Gobowen catchment use Oswestry library as they do Gobowen.

Closure of the mobile library service

Note: The council recognises that mobile libraries provide a valuable service to a relatively smaller number of library users. However, the costs of this service are relatively high compared the average costs of the static libraries. Mitigations would be considered as part of the consultation process including working with local transport providers and expansion of the volunteer-led home library service.

Sarah Marston, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for communities and environment, said

“This consultation will be an opportunity to help shape the future of the library service. We want to hear how people use libraries, what matters most to them, and what changes could help ensure libraries continue to support communities – but we do want to stress that no decisions have been made.

“Libraries are trusted, safe and welcoming community spaces, offering a route for access to a broader range of public services and community events.

“We must consider how best to meet the needs of communities, and our statutory duty to provide library services, within the context of the significantly reduced financial resources available and the need to urgently reduce reliance on Exceptional Financial Support from the government.

“The proposals that we plan to consult on seek to ensure that Shropshire libraries continue to meet the needs of all current and future users in our local communities.

“We recognise that proposals such as these are difficult – for residents, for key stakeholders and for our staff. Very careful consideration would be given to the consultation responses before any final decisions are made.”

Further information

1) Shropshire’s library service currently consists of:

• Six principal libraries in the largest market towns – Shrewsbury; Oswestry; Bridgnorth; Ludlow; Market Drayton; Whitchurch. Run by Shropshire Council
• Severn local community libraries – in Gobowen; Church Stretton; Bayston Hill; Wem; The Lantern (Shrewsbury); Pontesbury; Much Wenlock. Run by Shropshire Council
• Five local market town community libraries. Bishop’s Castle; Craven Arms; Highley; Cleobury Mortimer; Ellesmere. Run by local community groups
• Three commissioned libraries. Albrighton; Broseley; Shifnal . Run by the relevant town or parish council, with associated asset transfer
• Prison library, at Stoke Heath Prison. Operated under a fully funded contract from His Majesty’s Prisons
• Digital service. E-books; e-audiobooks; e-magazines; e-newspapers
• Three mobile library vans. 232 stops over a two-week cycle across three vans
• Home library offer. Book delivery to people who cannot attend a physical location or access online materials

2) The proposals have been based on an updated needs assessment for the service and the council’s need – under Section 7 of the Public Libraries and Museums Act (1964) – to ensure a comprehensive library service is offered to all who live, work or study in the area.

One of the ways local authorities assess that they are meeting this statutory duty is through the production of a comprehensive needs assessment, which gives detailed information about library usage and demand. The latest needs assessment for Shropshire – which will also be shared with Cabinet – shows that the demand for libraries is changing and the council needs to demonstrate that it is keeping the service relevant for the existing population.

3) The council’s review of libraries recognises that:

• Libraries are a valued part of our community offer, providing safe inclusive spaces in our rural communities and dispersed population
• Library delivery is complex. Some libraries are delivered and funded solely by the Council, some in partnership with Town and Parish Councils or other delivery partners
• Assets arrangements are equally complex with some buildings council owned, some leased and some owned by other parties
• Libraries are also community hubs offering a range of events and other services – banks, health and prevention services, customer services etc
• Transport infrastructure for our rural services is poor, so transport times and routes for residents must be considered. Digital delivery options would not reach all our dispersed rural communities
• Library finances are also complex. Seven community branches are supported by town and parish councils with three of those fully commissioned.