St Helens Council cabinet to discuss proposed library closures today

The local authority's cabinet meets this afternoon to discuss its library strategy.

What is being proposed?

Back in April, St Helens Council announced its draft library strategy and delivery plan for 2023-2028, where it set out plans to "transform" facilities into a "modern forward-thinking service".

The draft strategy set out proposals to reduce the number of libraries from 13 to 7, including closures in Parr, Rainhill, Garswood, Rainford, Peter Street (which closed at the end of March due to the building space being leased to another organisation) and Billinge, which has been closed since March 2020 as a result of structural issues.

Public libraries in St Helens town centre (currently at the World of Glass), Chester Lane, Thatto Heath, Newton-le-Willows, Moss Bank, Haydock and Eccleston, would all be retained under the plans.

Following the response to the draft library strategy, the council said that a 12-week consultation period would take place as many residents campaigned to save their local library.

In a council report published ahead of a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, October 25, it shows that 5,983 people engaged in the consultation via on-street interviews, drop-in sessions, and a questionnaire.

The report states that the "significant majority of respondents disagreed with the proposed closures", particularly those whose local library was being proposed to close.

There was "mixed opinion" about the rationale for targeting greatest needs with the new strategy, the report states, although those consulted in person were "more likely to agree" with this approach.

Amendments to strategy

The town centre library will transfer back to the Gamble building once completed (Image: St Helens Star)
Following the public consultation, the council said that it has made amendments to its strategy.

Some of these amendments include an increased capacity within the Home Delivery Library service and introduce a click and collect service to allow friends and family to collect books for library users unable to travel to a library in person.

Further amendments explain that the council will explore the viability of delivering a book loan service to care settings, and provide an outreach offer targeting schools and community settings which serve communities affected by library closures.

Community Managed Libraries were also noted as a suggestion in areas where libraries will close, where community groups or volunteers could take control of the service.

It is understood that if the closures go through there are groups in some of the affected areas keen to step in, although it is unlikely to be a seamless transition, meaning some libraries would close before being taken on by the volunteers.

Current service 'neither efficient nor effective' 

There is said to have been a 10% reduction in visitors at borough libraries.

In the council report, it states that the new library strategy has been devised because the current model is "neither efficient nor effective".

Some libraries are open as little as 8 hours a week, the report states, and so are "unable to deliver an effective service", while there has also been a 10% reduction in visitor numbers.

With this in mind, the report states that retaining all 13 public libraries would be an "inefficient use of the council’s buildings". 

The new strategy therefore intends to "improve the services provided by libraries and ensure they are targeted to those most in need", including a focused target to tackle inequalities, encourage usage and make services "cost effective and efficient".

The libraries earmarked for closure will be declared surplus to requirements and the council will determine their future. Existing lease agreements for non-council owned buildings will be surrendered.

Closures to the 'detriment of some residents'
 

The council's is expected to approve the strategy at a cabinet meeting today. 
Although the council report recommends cabinet to approve the library strategy, it acknowledges that it "will be to the detriment of some residents".

However, the decision has been made to "balance [this] against the benefits of retaining those libraries best placed to tackle inequalities".

The report summary concludes: "Cabinet acknowledges that the majority of respondents to the consultation did not support the proposed closures of libraries.

"[However], the benefits of having a geographical spread of seven libraries across the borough, which can deliver library services and assist in tackling inequalities, alongside the need to prioritise the delivery of statutory services to vulnerable children and adults has been determined to outweigh the detrimental impact of the closure of six libraries."

If the cabinet votes to the close the libraries, the affected venues are expected to shut towards the end of January 2024.

The local authority says its long term ambition is to move St Helens library back to the Gamble building and an investment of £275,000 is being lined up to make Haydock Library equipped for people with special educational needs.