On Tuesday 25 July 2023, Dorset Council’s draft library strategy will be reviewed by Cabinet for approval. The strategy aims to protect and enhance the council’s library service, with a fresh approach to delivering services and no proposed branch closures. The strategy has been shaped by public feedback and data.
The first phase of consultation sought the views of library users and non-users, partners, businesses and employees to understand how the service could better meet the needs of residents now and in the future. This received over 7,500 responses which were used to create a draft strategy.
In September 2022 a further 13-week consultation was launched, seeking the views of library users and non-users, partners, businesses, children and employees across three surveys to feedback on the proposed new operating model, opening hours, as well as the mission: to Inspire, Connect and Enable communities, and vision: trusted community spaces for everyone, with services to inspire your future.
Over 4,800 responses were received and analysed. The survey responses, brought together with engagement workshops, evidence around local need and responses from partners have been used to amend the draft strategy and action plan. This draft strategy was reviewed by the Joint Overview Committee on 7 June 2023.
For example, feedback made clear that reading for pleasure, culture and literacy was important to residents, so the Inspire theme has been revised to be “Inspire: To enrich lives through universal access to information, knowledge, learning, literacy and culture” and sub aim 1.1 has been amended to include reading for pleasure.
Work will be completed with the council’s equality, diversity and inclusion groups to improve the provision of accessible services. A review of library spaces will be carried out to ensure inclusion and access in the widest possible sense.
Residents also told the council that they wanted services to be as widely available as possible. This will be achieved by using a cluster model to organise and structure services. This means that all three types of library will be available in each part of Dorset. For example, libraries in the South and West of the county will be able share resources. Libraries in the East will make up another cluster, as will the Mid and North part of Dorset.
When asked about the three different types of libraries, 73% agreed with the proposed names: Library, Library plus and Library connect, and 68% of children said that the names make sense, but there was feedback that the word library is most important and that all libraries are libraries. This has reaffirmed that these terms will not be used to brand the libraries publicly, instead focussing on the services they offer.
Cllr Laura Beddow, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Culture and Communities, said:
“This draft strategy has been developed using feedback from extensive public consultation, listening to the views of our residents and using data to shape the future of our library service.
Throughout the whole process, residents have told us that libraries are at their heart of their communities, so this strategy is designed to protect and enhance them for the future with no proposed closures.
The conversation doesn’t end here. We will continue to work closely with communities and listen to their views on our proposals”
The draft library strategy will be presented to Cabinet for approval on Tuesday 25 July.
You can read the draft strategy and supporting documents here. For more information on the consultation, please visit www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/lets-talk-libraries
