Council sets out vision for coordinated and strategic library provision in Exeter
Councillors will hear Devon County Council’s vision for Exeter’s libraries next week in a report to the Exeter Board.
The County Council has been reviewing library provision in the city to ensure a coordinated and strategic approach to the city’s network of four libraries, Central, St Thomas, Pinhoe and Topsham.
Councillor Roger Croad, the Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for the library service says:
“We are investing a huge amount of money in transforming Exeter Central Library into a new multi-million pound resource for information, learning and culture at the very heart of the city, so it makes sense that we consider what impact this change will have on the other libraries within the city, and how we deliver library services in Exeter in the future.”
The strategy, outlined in a report published this week, describes the ambition for the service, and marks the start of further consultation for each of the libraries.
The report says that having reviewed possible options for alternative accommodation in the area and considered the healthy usage levels at the Church Street site, St Thomas Library will remain at its current location.
A long-term lease has been negotiated with the building’s owner and some changes are planned, including installation of wi-fi, to make the premises suitable for permanent use as a library. The Council also plans to extend the library’s opening hours, opening at 9am from 4 November on its five open days.
In Topsham, the Council has been approached by the Estuary League of Friends, which is keen to respond to a growing need for their services in the area by providing a modern fit for purpose community hub in a central location. They say that Topsham Library is ideally placed, and that they would like to develop a new building to incorporate a modern library run by the League of Friends. The Council is happy to consider pursuing the opportunity because the service could better meet the wider needs of the community, and because the concept could act as a model for other communities in Devon.
Rachel Gilpin, Chief Executive of the Estuary League of Friends says:
"The Estuary League of Friends is looking forward to working with the Council on the proposals for Topsham library.
"Our plan is to develop the site with a purpose built building that will enable Estuary's existing services, new services, other community activities and the library, to be all under the one roof.
"This is a unique opportunity for a local community charity to not only undertake the running of a library service, but to expand its help to all those in the community who wish to be less isolated, and encourage everyone to lead active, independent, and healthy lives."
The Estuary League of Friends will be at Matthews Hall with further information on their proposals on Thursday 24 October from 2 – 4pm, while Library Managers will be available at Topsham Library on Monday 28 October for a drop-in session from 3pm to 5pm to answer questions or hear suggestions.
At Exeter Central Library, the multi-million pound redevelopment will see the library deliver a broader range of council services, including a wider range of books and resources; a new cafe and outside seating area; Wi-Fi and public computing facilities; improved children and young people's areas; better access for people with disabilities; quiet reading and study area; and toilet facilities.
It will have an Information Hub and will run a programme of cultural events and activities. And it will include meeting spaces and conference facilities; and space for people, such as freelancers or from small businesses, to work from.
The Central Library's opening hours will also increase from 50 to 58 hours a week, and will probably include Sunday opening and for longer evenings during the week.
Consultation which will be launched next month will seek people's suggestions about a possible name for the improved public area outside the new library's entrance and ideas as to how the space might be used for activities and events.
It will also ask people to identify the types of books and resources they would like to see available in the new library as well as views on the new opening hours.
While there are no plans to change the library service in Pinhoe, the Council is keen to talk to local groups about how the library might develop in the future.
Library Managers will be available to meet groups or residents at a drop-in session at Pinhoe Library on Thursday 17 October between 10am and 1pm, to seek ideas.
The strategy recommends improvements to the public access computers. All four libraries already provide public access to computers, but to support the Government’s ‘digital by default’ agenda, all library computers will be available free of charge for up to two hours a day in order to support people to get online for job seeking and benefit claims.
And finally, the strategy confirms that the Council's Music and Playsets service, which offers a loans service of multiple copies of music scores and playsets to over 250 choral societies, orchestras and amateur dramatics groups across Devon, will remain based at its current location at Great Moor House, Sowton Industrial Estate, Exeter.
The redeveloped Exeter Central library will offer access to single copy scores and plays when it re-opens.
Speaking about the changes, Councillor Roger Croad, the Council's Cabinet Member responsible for the library service said:
"Continuing to develop a new and leading-edge library service in response to our local communities' needs is important, and despite significant reductions in budget over the past couple of years, we are proud to have maintained a 21st Century library service that is highly valued by our residents.
"We have had very positive feedback from library users about St Thomas Library's home in Church Street, so we are pleased to have now secured the service on a more permanent basis.
"We're pleased to have the opportunity to discuss with the Estuary League of Friends and with other local groups the potential to improve service provision in Topsham. We think there may be opportunities to work more closely with community organisations in Pinhoe, which is why we're keen to hear what local people think.
“We will consider all the feedback received from our consultations and will publish our response by the end of November.
"The Council faces further cuts in funding over the next few years. Changes to the ways in which services are provided will have to be made across the board, but I believe that the strategy we are employing in the city, which has one of the busiest libraries in the country, represents a strong offer that will continue to serve the city well."
