Library consultation launches
A 12-week consultation about how to make library services in Slough fit for the future, has now launched, running from 28 October until 20 January 2022.
The council needs to ensure libraries are affordable and deliver value for money, are accessible and meet local needs and support and promote good use of technology.
It is important to hear your views about the key issues the council should consider when designing the borough’s future library service.
The consultation is open to all Slough residents, and library users from outside the borough. The council welcomes responses both from those who use the library service and those who currently do not.
There are five proposed options that residents are invited to comment on. With all options, there will be one library open every day for residents to access.
Residents can comment on the options, listed below, and suggest alternatives.
• Reduce the money available to spend on buying publications (both hard copy and eResources).
• Keep all the main library buildings open but reduce the opening and staffed hours at Langley and Cippenham and reduce the staffed hours at The Curve and Britwell libraries.
• Keep all library buildings but reduce the hours they are open, the hours they are staffed, and the space dedicated to the library. Attract other users to rent space in the building (co-location).
• Move all library services out of the current main library buildings and re-locate services to be delivered from a range of other locations across the borough.
• Close both Langley and Cippenham library buildings but maintain the staffing and opening hours at The Curve library and at Britwell library.
A comprehensive consultation pack has been produced, explaining in more detail the options and reasonings behind them.
Have your say
• Fill in the survey online at https://eu.surveymonkey.com/r/librariesconsultation
• Email libraryconsultation@slough.gov.uk if you have any questions.
• Visit a drop-in session
• Visit an online session
Councillor James Swindlehurst, leader of the council, said: “We want residents to continue reading and be inspired to, and we need their thoughts on how we can adjust the service to meet our needs now and going forward.
“There has been a huge shift towards online resources in recent times and our libraries need to plan and organise for new innovations and changes like these. We need to ensure our residents’ priorities are where we put our resources, and we need to ensure the service provides good value for money and is sustainable for the future. I therefore urge residents to fill in the consultation to let us know their thoughts and priorities, and what aspects of the service are most important to them.”
Councillor Christine Hulme, lead member for children’s services, lifelong learning and skills, said: “We know our libraries are much loved in the community and we are committed to providing a great service. It’s no secret the council must make efficiencies, so we are looking into ways of maintaining this great service, while reducing costs.
“Nothing has been decided yet, we genuinely do want to hear which options residents prefer, or any alternatives they can suggest. I would encourage all residents, whether library members or not, to fill in the survey and have a say on the future of libraries in the borough.”
The library team will be hosting drop-in sessions at each of the council’s four main libraries – The Curve, Britwell, Cippenham and Langley, where residents can ask questions and get help filling in the online survey if they need it.
The dates for the drop-in sessions are:
• Friday 29 October, 11am-1pm – Cippenham
• Friday 29 October, 2.30-5pm – The Curve
• Saturday 30 October, 12noon-3pm – Langley
• Thursday 4 November, 11am-1pm - Britwell
• Thursday 4 November, 1.30-4.30pm – The Curve
• Wednesday 10 November, 11am-1pm – Cippenham
• Monday 15 November, 1.30-4.30pm – Langley
• Tuesday 23 November, 1.30-4.30pm – Britwell
• Saturday 27 November, 12noon-3pm – The Curve
• Saturday 11 December, 12noon-3pm – Cippenham
• Thursday 16 December, 11am-2pm – Langley
• Friday 7 January, 11am-2pm – Britwell
• Monday 10 January, 1.30-4.30pm – The Curve.
There will also be two online sessions for anyone who can’t make it in person. These will be on Zoom on:
• Tuesday 9 November, 6.30-7.30pm
• Wednesday 8 December, 6.30-7.30pm.
The feedback from residents, along with data on demographics and library usage, will be used to make the final decision.
If you cannot access the internet at home or need help to complete the survey, you can visit your local library for access to public computers and staff support. There will also be some paper copies at all libraries and hubs.
Residents are invited to read the full consultation pack before filling in the consultation survey. Visit www.slough.gov.uk/libraryconsultation
Responses will be analysed and an outcomes report will go to Cabinet later in 2022.
The council needs to ensure libraries are affordable and deliver value for money, are accessible and meet local needs and support and promote good use of technology.
It is important to hear your views about the key issues the council should consider when designing the borough’s future library service.
The consultation is open to all Slough residents, and library users from outside the borough. The council welcomes responses both from those who use the library service and those who currently do not.
There are five proposed options that residents are invited to comment on. With all options, there will be one library open every day for residents to access.
Residents can comment on the options, listed below, and suggest alternatives.
• Reduce the money available to spend on buying publications (both hard copy and eResources).
• Keep all the main library buildings open but reduce the opening and staffed hours at Langley and Cippenham and reduce the staffed hours at The Curve and Britwell libraries.
• Keep all library buildings but reduce the hours they are open, the hours they are staffed, and the space dedicated to the library. Attract other users to rent space in the building (co-location).
• Move all library services out of the current main library buildings and re-locate services to be delivered from a range of other locations across the borough.
• Close both Langley and Cippenham library buildings but maintain the staffing and opening hours at The Curve library and at Britwell library.
A comprehensive consultation pack has been produced, explaining in more detail the options and reasonings behind them.
Have your say
• Fill in the survey online at https://eu.surveymonkey.com/r/librariesconsultation
• Email libraryconsultation@slough.gov.uk if you have any questions.
• Visit a drop-in session
• Visit an online session
Councillor James Swindlehurst, leader of the council, said: “We want residents to continue reading and be inspired to, and we need their thoughts on how we can adjust the service to meet our needs now and going forward.
“There has been a huge shift towards online resources in recent times and our libraries need to plan and organise for new innovations and changes like these. We need to ensure our residents’ priorities are where we put our resources, and we need to ensure the service provides good value for money and is sustainable for the future. I therefore urge residents to fill in the consultation to let us know their thoughts and priorities, and what aspects of the service are most important to them.”
Councillor Christine Hulme, lead member for children’s services, lifelong learning and skills, said: “We know our libraries are much loved in the community and we are committed to providing a great service. It’s no secret the council must make efficiencies, so we are looking into ways of maintaining this great service, while reducing costs.
“Nothing has been decided yet, we genuinely do want to hear which options residents prefer, or any alternatives they can suggest. I would encourage all residents, whether library members or not, to fill in the survey and have a say on the future of libraries in the borough.”
The library team will be hosting drop-in sessions at each of the council’s four main libraries – The Curve, Britwell, Cippenham and Langley, where residents can ask questions and get help filling in the online survey if they need it.
The dates for the drop-in sessions are:
• Friday 29 October, 11am-1pm – Cippenham
• Friday 29 October, 2.30-5pm – The Curve
• Saturday 30 October, 12noon-3pm – Langley
• Thursday 4 November, 11am-1pm - Britwell
• Thursday 4 November, 1.30-4.30pm – The Curve
• Wednesday 10 November, 11am-1pm – Cippenham
• Monday 15 November, 1.30-4.30pm – Langley
• Tuesday 23 November, 1.30-4.30pm – Britwell
• Saturday 27 November, 12noon-3pm – The Curve
• Saturday 11 December, 12noon-3pm – Cippenham
• Thursday 16 December, 11am-2pm – Langley
• Friday 7 January, 11am-2pm – Britwell
• Monday 10 January, 1.30-4.30pm – The Curve.
There will also be two online sessions for anyone who can’t make it in person. These will be on Zoom on:
• Tuesday 9 November, 6.30-7.30pm
• Wednesday 8 December, 6.30-7.30pm.
The feedback from residents, along with data on demographics and library usage, will be used to make the final decision.
If you cannot access the internet at home or need help to complete the survey, you can visit your local library for access to public computers and staff support. There will also be some paper copies at all libraries and hubs.
Residents are invited to read the full consultation pack before filling in the consultation survey. Visit www.slough.gov.uk/libraryconsultation
Responses will be analysed and an outcomes report will go to Cabinet later in 2022.
