'Confusion' over plans for county libraries

Woodthorpe Library was listed in the new strategy as a "library access point"

Plans for managing Nottinghamshire libraries have caused "confusion", a senior councillor has admitted.

The county council recently consulted on a new library strategy covering the next 10 years, which it said would aim to "meet specific community needs".

It included reclassifying sites as either a "hub library", "community library", or "library access point", depending on the size.

Council documents, however, say feedback indicated the new names have caused confusion, and they now plan to reinstate a numbered system, with libraries placed in tiers 1 to 3.

The wider strategy has prompted concerns from local author, Dr David Hindley, that it could lead to reduced services and paid staff being replaced by volunteers.

"All we've got to go on is what's written in the strategy document, which is fairly vague and confusing," he said.

Nottinghamshire author Dr David Hindley is worried the plans could lead to cuts

The draft strategy describes a "hub library" (tier 1) as serving a major town and being open at least six days a week, run by paid staff.

A "community library" (tier 2) is described as serving a small town and open at least four days a week, run by paid staff "supported by volunteers".

The documents say "library access points" (tier 3) will "typically be co-located in community buildings and be delivered in partnership with existing community organisations and volunteers", but opening hours are not specified.

Dr Hindley's nearest library in Woodthorpe is listed as a "library access point", and is currently open 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 said.

"I think fundamentally what's being proposed is a massive change in how libraries such as this one currently operate."

He said Woodthorpe Library was particularly important for his nine-year-old daughter, Rowan.

"It's played no small part in her enthusiasm for reading and her love of books," he said.

The plans were discussed at a meeting of the council's overview committee on Thursday.

Cabinet member for communities, Scott Carlton, insisted the strategy will not result in cuts.

"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 said.

He accepted, however, that the renaming of tiers had created uncertainty.

Speaking to the BBC, he said: "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."

Scott Carlton says there will not be a reduction in library services

Mr Carlton acknowledged the specific locations of some smaller sites may be reviewed, but added there would not be a net reduction in libraries.

"There's been some really good examples of co-location [within other community buildings] that keeps the service open," he said.

Asked about opening hours, he said any changes "may be to shift to a model that would make it more accessible for a working population", but there would be consultations on "a local basis".

He added no final decisions had been made, and that the strategy would be debated at a full council meeting in December.

Four libraries run by neighbouring Nottingham City Council, meanwhile, are at risk of closure.

A recent city council meeting was told the authority is looking at collaborating with charities and community organisations, with a final decision due in early 2025.