Volunteers to run libraries (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)
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Richmond Council wants volunteers to run libraries
7:00am Monday 6th February 2012 in Richmond News By Rachel Bishop
Richmond Council wants organisations to come forward to run its libraries.
The council is reviewing the options for retaining the core network of nine libraries across the borough, while investigating the possibility of offering three libraries to organisations to run in partnership with the council through a village library initiative.
The current services provided in Ham, Hampton Wick and Kew are the three libraries put forward.
The project is part of the council’s efficiency programme, in which it aims to move towards commissioning services rather than directly providing them.
Interested groups will be paid a contract fee to take over the day-to-day running of these libraries while the council continues to provide everything else including the building, books and computer equipment.
Businesses, community groups, schools, social enterprises and resident groups will be encouraged to get involved in the project.
Councillor Pamela Fleming, the council’s cabinet member for community, business and culture, said: “It is important to note that this proposal will not result in the closure of any library in the borough and we are committed to keeping all 12 libraries open, along with the access point at Heathfield.
“However, we do have to consider more creative ways of providing our services that have a community focus and we are looking for a local group or organisation to come forward and help us run three of our libraries.
“It would be a formal agreement and there would be clear requirements on core services and opening for the same number of hours, but it would provide the opportunity for communities to consider doing things differently - for example they would have the freedom to run other activities or change and extend opening times.”
The council will soon be launching its Community Links programme, which will provide support and advice for groups involved in these sorts of projects.
As a minimum, the community-run libraries would provide free library membership, free access to books and newspapers for adults and children, free access to computers and the internet and free access to accurate and up-to-date information resources.
In the All in One survey, of those that answered from Hampton Wick, 21 per cent said library services were the most important thing in making it a good place to live.
For more information, visit richmond.gov.uk/libraries.
Comments(4)
denisbrowne
says...
5:16pm Tue 7 Feb 12
Gareth Roberts
says...
1:27pm Fri 10 Feb 12
*I assume it was Philip Taylor. It could have been an imposter!
PhillipTaylor
says...
6:09pm Sat 11 Feb 12
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"I welcome the statement by Councillor Pamela Fleming in your news article “Volunteers to run libraries” (February 3rd) establishing new library proposals which “will not result in the closure of any library in the borough”. This is good news! It’s an unequivocal and clear policy which I hope will silence those critics who keep saying that the Council is shutting our libraries: clearly not the case from what I have seen as libraries become more developed learning and information centres for 21st century.
Like other local authority facilities, things have to change to meet new demands and requirements. The Council has made it absolutely clear that this is merely a market testing exercise to explore who may be interested. The appeal of this initiative is that it’s a genuine opportunity for local communities to develop a partnership for improving these libraries without any threat of losing the service we all value so much hanging over our heads. The overall package of support including the contract fee and new Community Links seems to me attractive and fair.
I fully support their commitment that books will remain at the heart of libraries but libraries are used by people of all ages and from all backgrounds. There is, undoubtedly, a case for looking at more creative ways of using the buildings so they can provide a wider range of services and advice in a welcoming and comfortable environment.
This proposal is what localism is all about and why I welcome the Localism Act. It’s a chance for residents, businesses, voluntary sector organisations and social enterprises to join with the Council and get more involved in shaping and improving services in their local area. Also, I hope the opportunity for extending opening hours will assist local commuters who come home late from work."
Phillip Taylor
Twickenham Bob says...
2:51pm Mon 6 Feb 12
Are the admin staff at the council all going to be transferred to a private company like they have been in other Conservative controlled authorities? What other key services are going to private companies where profit is the only real goal?
If all decisions are being made with the aim that that the council will not delivering services directly, we need to examine this KEY policy very carefully. Having direct control means you have control on service quality, flexibility and the ability to control costs if you need to change the service provided.
There could also be significant damage the local economy as jobs will be exported outside of the borough, whilst council tax payers will have pay enormous amounts in benefits to the people who would otherwise occupied these jobs.
I note that the council does not insist that suppliers take on a number of apprentices or unemployed, and again this needs examination, as youth unemployment is at crisis point and threatens to undermine the fabric of our society, which was demonstrated with the riots last year.