NONE of the libraries closed by St Helens Council in the past year have reopened as community-managed venues, figures show.
The BBC Shared Data Unit has found that more than 180 council-run libraries across the country have either been closed or handed over to volunteer groups over the past eight years across the UK, while more than 2,000 jobs have been lost.
A Government spokesperson said it recognised “pressures” facing libraries and it was “committed to giving stability back to local councils so services such as these can best meet the needs of their communities”.
In St Helens, between 2016 and 2024, six libraries have closed: Billinge, Garswood, Parr, Peter Street, Rainford and Rainhill.
The decision to close these six was taken in October 2023, but four closed their doors in January 2024 – with the council highlighting that Billinge closed earlier due the building’s condition and Peter Street where the lease was terminated by the landlord in March 2023.
The council says it has no plans to close any further libraries and is in fact looking to invest in Haydock Library this year and move St Helens Library back to the Gamble Building from the World of Glass once interior work starts and is completed there.
The council says its aim is to create a service that is “fit for the future” – and confirmed there are no plans to close any further sites.
However, when the recent library service cuts took place it was suggested community groups may step in to take them on.
Up until this point that has not happened.
Cllr Kate Groucutt, cabinet member for business, culture and leisure, said: “We are very proud of our library service offer, which with our library strategy 2023-2028 we are moving with the times to ensure it is fit for the future.
“We’re targeting building-based provision in areas of greatest need, open at least four days a week, supported by outreach activities in other community buildings to deliver an innovative, modern, sustainable and accessible service with opportunity and access for all.
“Early signs are positive with digital loans significantly increasing, physical loans remaining strong and visits to our remaining libraries trending upwards.
“We have been open to proposals for community-managed libraries, promoting the range of support available to interested groups, with advice on grant funding and facilitating meetings with the Community Managed Library National Peer Network.
“We do appreciate the concerns that residents have raised with us in one of the biggest and most significant consultation exercises the council has undertaken in recent years, with more than 5,500 responses.
“In response to these particular concerns, we are confident that suitable and robust alternatives are already in place for community group facilities and spaces for families with our borough-wide children’s centres and new family hubs, and support for jobseekers with our successful ways to work service.
“Our refugee resettlement service continues to support displaced people moving to the borough, and we maintain strong links with many older residents and vulnerable people struggling to heat their homes through our affordable warmth unit, with outreach and community sessions in our libraries, children’s centres and family hubs.
“And our staff have made a concerted effort to help service users affected by closures to access our remaining libraries or digital services, and to reach older and vulnerable residents with the offer of our home delivery service.
"While local schools that buy into the schools’ library service still enjoy that offer, and our long-standing support of the national Summer Reading Challenge continues to engage 1,000s of children and young people during the summer break.”
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