New ways of working for libraries

The library review has looked into the possibilities of co-location, refurbishment and self-service opportunities. The review recommends looking at the following libraries for consideration:

• Catshill
• Cofton Hackett
• Woodrow

A further recommendation has been made to look into moving Warndon Library into the Fairfield Centre in Warndon. At the Cabinet meeting in May some discussion has taken place about Wythall Library as another proposed location to review.

All of the above libraries will be looked at individually to consider the following options:

• Creating opening hours to suit the local community
• Maximising the use of space to include more activities within the buildings
• Involving volunteers to work alongside staff to offer a new way of working with local groups and individuals
• All libraries will consider the option of co-location as an opportunity for the service to be provided alongside other facilities (this may mean other services moving into the library buildings or the library moving in with another services nearby)
• The introduction of self-service machines for ease of use. Malvern Library was a pilot library to try self-service terminals and has since had the highest self-service usage in the whole UK.

Local forums are being planned in individual libraries for residents to learn more about proposed plans and have their say:

What we want to know?

• What is it about these libraries that works well?
• What does not work well?
• What options are best for delivering benefits?