Nottinghamshire Library Strategy Causes “Confusion,” Council to Revert to Tiered System

A senior councillor has acknowledged that proposed plans for the administration of Nottinghamshire’s libraries have generated “confusion”. The county council recently sought public input on a new library strategy intended to span the next decade, stating its objective was to “meet specific community needs”. This strategy involved categorizing locations based on their size into designations such as a “hub library”, “community library”, or “library access point”. Nevertheless, council documents reveal that public feedback suggested the new nomenclature led to confusion, prompting a decision to revert to a tiered numerical system, classifying libraries into tiers 1 through 3. The broader strategic framework has raised apprehensions from local author Dr David Hindley, who fears it might result in diminished services and the substitution of paid employees with volunteers. “All we’ve got to go on is what’s written in the strategy document, which is fairly vague and confusing,” he stated. The preliminary strategy outlines a “hub library” (tier 1) as one that serves a significant town, operates a minimum of six days weekly, and is managed by salaried personnel. A “community library” (tier 2) is characterized as serving a smaller town, being accessible at least four days per week, and managed by paid staff “supported by volunteers”. According to the documents, “library access points” (tier 3) are projected to “typically be co-located in community buildings and be delivered in partnership with existing community organisations and volunteers”, though their operational hours remain undefined. The Woodthorpe library, which is Dr Hindley’s closest, is designated as a “library access point” and presently operates three days a week. “There’s a curious omission of any mention of paid staff running libraries, but also that they’ll review the location,” he commented. “I think fundamentally what’s being proposed is a massive change in how libraries such as this one currently operate.” He highlighted the particular significance of Woodthorpe Library for his nine-year-old daughter, Rowan. “It’s played no small part in her enthusiasm for reading and her love of books,” he remarked. These proposals were deliberated during a meeting of the council’s overview committee held on Thursday. Scott Carlton, the cabinet member for communities, maintained that the strategy would not lead to reductions. “It’s not a strategy to close libraries, reduce services, or indeed replace staff with volunteers, and I draw a firm line under that,” he affirmed. He did concede, nonetheless, that the re-designation of tiers had generated ambiguity. In an interview with the BBC, he stated: “I think it is fair to say we looked through the wrong lens, we’d slipped into that local government language and there was a degree of confusion and misunderstanding.” “If I have to, I hold my hand up on that one.” Mr Carlton recognized that the precise locations of certain smaller facilities might undergo review, but he also noted that there would be no overall decrease in the number of libraries. “There’s been some really good examples of co-location [within other community buildings] that keeps the service open,” he explained. When questioned regarding operating hours, he indicated that any alterations “may be to shift to a model that would make it more accessible for a working population”, but emphasized that consultations would occur “a local basis”. He further stated that no conclusive decisions had been reached, and the strategy was scheduled for discussion at a full council meeting in December. Concurrently, four libraries operated by the adjacent Nottingham City Council face potential closure. During a recent city council session, it was reported that the authority is exploring partnerships with charitable groups and community organizations, with a definitive decision anticipated in early 2025. To stay informed, follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Story suggestions can be sent to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or through WhatsApp at 0808 100 2210. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the material found on external sites. Details concerning our external linking policy are available.