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> Warwickshire County Council Press Release
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>
>
> Community libraries groups and county council begin library
> handover process
>
>
> Representatives from the community groups who will take
> over the running of 14 of the county’s libraries have met
> county council officers for a workshop to take the process
> further forward. All groups received good news regarding
> their applications for Big Society Funds.
>
> Cabinet approved the business proposals of 14 community
> groups on 13 October and work is continuing to ensure that
> these are operational by next April when the groups take
> over the management of the service in their locality.
>
> A key message to emerge was the need to clarify the
> position of libraries as fears have been voiced that the
> libraries would be closing in April.
>
> Portfolio holder for Customers, Access and Physical Assets,
> Cllr Colin Hayfield, moved to address concerns that this
> would lead to many communities not having a library
> service. He said:
>
> “It appears that there has been a misunderstanding that the
> libraries which the county will no longer be running will
> completely cease to operate next April, if not before.
> This is not the case. There is no ‘cull’ as has been stated
> but, rather, a transformation in how the service will be
> provided at 14 of the community libraries where community
> groups will ensure continued service delivery through
> volunteers.
>
>
> “Business proposals for these libraries were approved by
> cabinet and grants have been approved to help them with the
> start up. This workshop was the start of the process that
> will see the county hand over the management to the
> communities having equipped them with the skills and much
> of the equipment that they will need. “
>
> Cllr Hayfield was delighted with the turn out at the
> workshop and with the generally positive response as
> discussions covered financial, legal, IT, property,
> training and support issues.
>
> He said: “Once again I have been hugely impressed with the
> positive ‘can do’ approach of the people in these community
> groups. This was never going to be easy, as is often the
> case when something is worth fighting for, but we felt at
> the end of the workshop that everyone was on the same side,
> with the aim of creating something good and lasting for the
> communities.
>
> “Whilst the council can no longer afford to run 34
> libraries, we are determined that the groups from areas
> whose libraries can no longer be sustained will be fully
> supported to give them every chance of flourishing.
>
> “I live in the real world and, as such, I have to accept
> that some of the community libraries may not survive, as I
> pointed out at Cabinet. However, if that should be the
> case, the groups and the council will be able to say that
> they gave it their best shot and I am becoming increasingly
> confident that, between us, we have made the best of a bad
> situation and many of the libraries will continue to
> provide a cherished service for their local communities.”
>
> The workshop also detailed the level of support that will
> be given by the county council after the community group
> takes over the running of the library with training on
> library procedures and the Library Management System,
> quarterly visits and computers all amongst the package.
>
> Also present at the workshop was John Beaumont, secretary
> of Bulkington Community Library. With his wife, Mary,
> Darrell Buckley and Pauline Jacques, future colleagues who
> will help manage Bulkington Community Library, he had
> attended and found many aspects of the workshop to be
> extremely useful.
>
> “In Bulkington, we are a long way down the road towards
> being ready to operate the community library. We are
> already a Community Interest Company so we can take the
> lease on the building and are looking to change our status
> to Charitably Incorporated Organisation. There is a board
> of directors and I am confident that we will be operational
> in April.
>
> ”We will be in a good position to develop the service. And
> whilst we are almost ready to go, it was good to be
> reassured that council officers will be in regular contact
> and that we can tap into their expertise and experience.
> Certainly, in the early days, I envisage this support will
> be greatly appreciated.”
>
> Bulkington Community Library already looks set to be one of
> the flagship community libraries with 60 friends and 35
> volunteers already in place. Plans are underway to begin
> their training to give them the necessary skills by next
> April.
>
> For further information on the transformation of
> Warwickshire Library and Information Service go to
> http://libraryconsult.wordpress.com/
>
> Sent to : North Warks Parish Councillors
>
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