23/6/2006 - Kells has say on improved library service

Kells was the venue yesterday for the fourth 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 Kells 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 people using the library service in Kells has dropped by 40 per cent in the last four years with the amount of items borrowed down by nearly half.

People who attended yesterday's meeting in St. Mary's Community Hall were able to talk through the possible options with Jim Grisenthwaite, Cumbria County Council's head of Culture, and other senior Library Service Managers.

These included a change to longer opening times with local volunteers providing any extra hours, an expanded mobile or Library Links service, and shared accommodation with other local facilities.

The county council's head of Culture Jim Grisenthwaite said after the meeting: "We had a useful and constructive debate on how an enhanced library service can be delivered for Kells that better meets local needs. Feeback from yesterday's meeting will be provided through the area's Neighbourhood Forum and other local outlets." 

People in Kells 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 end on 15 July. The Library Service will present its final recommendations to Cabinet in September 2006.

Details of the two remaining public meeting are as follows:

Date Time Library Meeting venue

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.