Abbeytown was the venue yesterday for the third in a series of public meetings to discuss how enhanced library services can be delivered in six Cumbrian communities.
Cumbria County Council's Library Service is a top class performer and, as part of the council's cultural services, was recently awarded the highest possible Audit Commission rating. However, the Library Service continues to look for ways to improve and earlier this year reviewed the way services are delivered in its 20 smallest branches.
The review, which looked into things like visitor numbers and the amount of items borrowed, found that Abbeytown is one of six small branches where changes are needed to improve accessibility and promote greater use of the books and other facilities on offer.
Figures show that the number of public visits to the library service in Abbeytown has fallen by 19 per cent in the last four years, with the amount of items borrowed down by nearly a third.
Eight people attended yesterday's meeting in Abbeytown Village Hall, where Jim Grisenthwaite, Cumbria County Council’s Head of Culture, and other senior county council managers were on hand to talk through the possible options.
These included changes in opening times working in conjunction with the school, an expanded mobile or Library Links service.
The County Council's Head of Library Services, Alan Welton, was encouraged by the response to yesterday's meeting. "We had a lively and well-informed debate on how an enhanced library service can be delivered for Abbeytown that better meets local needs. Feedback on yesterday's meeting will be provided through the village's Neighbourhood Forum and other local outlets." he said.
People in Abbeytown who were unable to attend the meeting can still register their views either in writing to Library Headquarters, Arroyo Block, The Castle, Carlisle, CA3 8UR or via the Cumbria County Council website at www.cumbria.gov.uk
The consultation period ends on 15 July. The library service will present its final recommendations to Cabinet in September 2006.
Details of the three remaining public meetings are as follows:
Date Time Library Meeting venue
22nd June 5:30pm Kells St. Mary’s Community Hall
26th June 7:00pm Great Broughton Great Broughton Primary School
29th June 6:30pm Ormsgill Ormsgill Community Centre
Notes for Editors
In February 2006, the County Council’s Cabinet decided to review the County’s 20 smallest libraries in order to identify those branches where changes are needed to make sure local people get the most from their library service.
Local people are now being consulted on a number of possible changes to the way library services are delivered in St. Bees, Coniston, Abbeytown, Kells, Great Broughton and Ormsgill.