Gedling borough’s libraries could soon be placed into a tier system which would determine their opening hours and services they offer under new proposals from Nottinghamshire County Council.
If fresh plans by Nottinghamshire County Council went ahead then residents would see the majority of the borough’s libraries operating as normal. These larger libraries would feature in one of the top two tiers and be labelled as either hub libraries or community libraries.
But three of the borough’s book lenders feature in the bottom tier and would become ‘access points’. These libraries would operate out of a shared building or become mobile and staffed entirely by volunteers.
Arnold is one of 12 sites located in ‘key population centres’ and the only borough library to feature in the top tier. It would act as a “hub library” and continue offering a wide-range of activities and services.
Burton Joyce, Calverton, Carlton, Mapperley and Ravenshead would become community libraries. The council said these would be ‘run by paid staff and supported by volunteers’ and would ‘be open for at least four days a week’.
Under the new proposals Carlton Hill, Gedling and Woodthorpe would become library access points after being listed in the bottom tier. The council said these would ‘typically be co-located in community buildings and operated by community organisations and volunteers’. These libraries would be access points, a pop-up library or mobile library.
The council said that book collections at access points would ‘be exchanged and updated on a regular basis’. Book requests would be made through the online catalogue or via telephone.
Councillor Scott Carlton, Cabinet Member for Communities and Public Health at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “Our libraries are welcoming places to meet, borrow, learn, discover and celebrate.
He said the new strategy ‘reflects the changing needs’ of library users while ensuring financial sustainability.
He added: “We believe that libraries are essential to building communities, connecting people, and supporting access to education, culture, and wellbeing.”
The council’s consultation on the proposals ends on November 13.
