Nottingham City Council has confirmed discussions are taking place over potentially making libraries volunteer-led. Three libraries currently face the axe as part of proposals to save £233,000.
The council is proposing to close Basford Library in Vernon Road, the Radford Lenton Library in Lenton Boulevard and Aspley Library in Nuthall Road, but these plans have been condemned by thousands in the city. With campaign group Save Nottingham Libraries at the helm, it has been argued the closures would be of severe detriment to some of the most deprived areas of the city.
It comes as the Labour-led authority faces commissioner intervention. It had been under the scrutiny of the Government-appointed improvement board which had been established upon the collapse of Robin Hood Energy, but the council's own progress to balance its books failed to appease.
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The Save Nottingham Libraries campaign group had stated it had been made aware of discussions to allow volunteers to run libraries instead of closing them. This has now been confirmed as true.
Lenton councillor Pavlos Kotsonis, portfolio holder for leisure, culture and planning, told Nottinghamshire Live: “We’ve just concluded a detailed and large-scale public consultation into the future delivery of library services in Nottingham. This valuable information is now being reviewed and we’ve had lots of suggestions around how people want to get involved, which is really positive.
“The idea of volunteering has been raised, but is only one of a number put forward for further consideration. Early next month, a report will be taken to the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee to look at the results of the consultation and how they can shape plans for the library service, with decisions likely to be made towards the end of the year.”
Save Nottingham Libraries had penned a letter to the council, which has already been signed by hundreds of people, arguing the case against such a development. It is understood this could be one of the ways the council comes to a compromise.
The group says: "Libraries would be nothing without library staff, both librarians and library assistants. Dedicated workers have experience, training, and a knowledge of library stock and the library system. They are also the human face of the library service, and the human contact they offer is reliable and invaluable.
"These three libraries are in some of the most deprived wards in the city. Trying to foist the cost of running libraries onto these already squeezed communities is wrong and would increase inequality. It is important to recognise that volunteer-run libraries favour wealthier areas; successful examples of volunteer-run libraries are in areas such as these where people have the time and resources to run a professional library service."
A number of councillors met campaigners at a picket line outside the Council House, where a petition was recently handed in with 3,000 signatures. Councillor Phil Jackson, who represents Bilborough, was one of these.
"It has been an inspiring campaign and we need to listen to these groups," he added.
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