Alternative library services for Shawbury to be considered

The ‘Closure of Shawbury Library and for alternative library service provision’ report will be presented to Shropshire Council's Cabinet next Wednesday.

Proposals highlighted in the report will ask Cabinet to consider closing the library from Autumn 2016, and for a new weekly mobile library service be introduced: the mobile library will offer a wide range of services for residents of all ages.

Other recommendations include pursuing discussions with Shawbury Village Hall Committee, who are supportive in developing the Village Hall as a ‘Community Hub’.

Since February 2015, Shropshire Council has been working proactively with residents and local organisations to try and seek options and solutions to maintain the library. However, despite ongoing discussions, no suggestions for alternative management arrangements for Shawbury Library have been made.

The report follows over 16 months of extensive discussions with residents and local organisations, as well as the undertaking of a thorough local needs assessment to identify how an alternative library provision could be met.

In considering the proposals, the council has taken into account:
• The relatively low level of use at Shawbury Library and the relatively high costs to run it. User and other statistics that show that Shawbury Library is the least used library in Shropshire and the most expensive per transaction.

• The outcomes of a recent six week public consultation.

• Its worsening financial position determined by central government cuts potentially resulting in services such as leisure, libraries, museums, public open spaces and support for youth activities facing significant cutbacks or in the worst case scenario – closure.

Stuart West, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for leisure and culture, said:

“We are very aware and understand that people have a strong connection to their local library, which is often seen as a valuable part of the community.

“However, the combination of the severity of our financial position, along with the ongoing decrease in usage of Shawbury Library, means that we need to find a sustainable way of delivering a library service for local residents.

“Although the proposal to close Shawbury Library is a very difficult one for councillors to have to consider, I believe we have come up with a positive solution that still gives everyone in Shawbury and the surrounding rural communities access to a library service.”

Other options for Shawbury residents to access library services suggested in the report include:
• Access to fully staffed library services from Wem, Sundorne Shrewsbury and Market Drayton
• Access to online library services such as e-books, e-magazines and e-audio.
• Access to home library services for people unable to readily get out and about.

Simon Jones, local Shropshire Councillor for Shawbury, said:

“Shropshire Council has actively been trying to engage with the community at large to find an alternative way of to continue the provision of a library building in Shawbury. Following a petition that was presented at Full Council, further public events were held in Shawbury, but they attracted very few participants and no viable alternatives have been put forward. I am dismayed by the poor response to the latest consultation, but wish to thank the six residents who did comment. The loss of a library building is unfortunate, but I am pleased that provision will still be made to residents of Shawbury in the form of a weekly mobile library.”