New plans for Gloucestershire's libraries

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We are being asked for our views on new plans for Gloucestershire's libraries.

After being taken to court by campaigners and losing, Gloucestershire County Council have gone back to the drawing board.

They have also taken advice from the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

The draft strategy provides a library service that includes a virtual library and an outreach programme for specific groups.

It also involves a network of libraries including:

Main libraries - nine libraries open six days a week

Local libraries - 12 libraries open five days a week - with options for flexibility to suit local needs

Partnership Libraries - 10 libraries run by the county in partnership with communities.  Offering between12 and 21 hours of county library service. Building on the principle of sharing buildings with other groups to create a one stop shop for public services with the library remaining in county control.

Community Offer Libraries - seven libraries available to the community under an enhanced  Big Community Offer

The council say they will be talking to people about mobile library provision before making any recommendations. Mobile libraries are underused and they are expensive to run - the average cost per borrower is £76.70 per year.

Cllr Mark Hawthorne, Leader of Gloucestershire County Council, said: ''We've approached this with an open mind and really considered how these proposals would impact on all our residents.

''I believe we've come up with a new strategy which reflects Gloucestershire's needs and our financial situation in these tough times at the same time as making the most of the overwhelming community support there already is out there.

''I think these are exciting proposals which maximise the resources we have available while giving communities more say in the services they receive.''

Check out more information on the proposals here