‘Strong chance’ that libraries will stay open
Cllr Brian Simpson (front) pictured outside Eastfield Library with other councillors and library users who launched a petition to fight the planned closure. 1029150a.
SCARBOROUGH’s libraries have a “strong possibility” of staying open - despite Government cuts - thanks to the number of volunteers who have come forward.
Under-threat facilities at Scalby, East Ayton, Eastfield and Hunmanby could be saved from closure - but a final decision cannot be made until the matter goes before North Yorkshire County Council’s executive in November.
Residents feared that the local facilities would face the axe when it was announced that the council was losing £70 million of funding from central Government.
However, after receiving many proposals and plans from volunteer groups, the council is now hoping that all of North Yorkshire’s 42 libraries will be able to remain open.
County councillor Chris Metcalfe, executive member for the library service, said: “There has been a tremendous response from communities.
“It would be wrong to give any guarantees at this stage, but the proposals and business plans we have received from community groups are all extremely promising, and we will do all we can to assist to turn them into reality.”
Critical to the success of maintaining the service is the creation of teams of volunteers to help run the libraries.
“Following the feedback from the consultation to ‘share the pain’, all of our libraries will see a reduction in opening hours, some of as much as 30 per cent, unless suitable numbers of volunteers can be found to assist,” said Cllr Metcalfe.
Communities have until the end of October to present the county council with their proposals for taking over the running of, their libraries and, unless sustainable solutions are produced, libraries will close in April 2012.
Plans will be considered by the Care and Independence Overview and Scrutiny Committee on November 16, before going to the Executive on November 22.
Councillor Metcalfe added: “We have been very gratified by the enthusiasm and support shown by communities which do not want to lose their libraries. We have volunteers ranging from teenagers who want to gain experience – and perhaps add useful information to their CVs – to older people who love books and want to play an active part in keeping their library at the heart of the community.
“The more volunteers we get, the better the service will be – whether it’s to read to children, to deliver books using the home library service or to help in other ways to maintain the library service that is so highly valued in North Yorkshire.”
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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Comments
There are 6 comments to this article
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badger464
Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at 09:34 PMCan't remember the last time i set foot in a library and i am by no means any spring chicken, can't help wondering what percentage of the population would say the same, it seems more like money will be awarded to those who shout the loudest rather than targeting it at where it can do the most.
millavanilla
Monday, October 3, 2011 at 07:58 PMSo volunteers are now helping make the poor library staff redundant? Libraries are a public service and the council should support them. Volunteering should support additional services- not the basics.
1007
Monday, October 3, 2011 at 03:39 PM300k + wasted on a tree would have gone a long way to helping fund these....
dogcapp
Saturday, October 1, 2011 at 03:17 PMwhen did it snow????? mmmm
heavensentmum
Friday, September 30, 2011 at 08:42 PMLast time I looked on the NYCC website in August only eight were still under threat and Eastfield wasn't one of them.
Shirley Burnham
Friday, September 30, 2011 at 03:40 PMDo those affected feel any affinity with campaigners in Surrey ? This piece was published on the i-volunteer website today. http:www.i-volunteer.org.uknewshoundthis-is-not-volunteering-it-is-blackmail There may well be a 'strong chance' that they do.
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