Nottingham City Council is facing mounting challenges over proposed changes to its library service.
This follows a comprehensive consultation with local residents and organisations.
A report published today shows detailed responses to the consultation.
The results of the consultation indicate overwhelming opposition to the proposed changes. Many respondents highlighted the crucial role of libraries as community hubs, particularly for children, older adults, and people with disabilities. In areas with limited public amenities, the libraries provide warm, safe spaces and access to essential services like books, digital resources, and social activities. Concerns were also raised over the potential impact of reduced opening hours, with many fearing that cutting availability would lead to a decline in library use, creating a negative cycle that could justify further cuts in the future.
The Council plans to reduce the number of libraries from 15 to 11, close four branches, and cut opening hours across the network as part of a cost-saving initiative, sparking widespread public concern.
The plans, which were put forward as part of the 2024-2027 Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP), aim to save £1.524 million—a substantial 38% cut in the library budget.
Nottingham City Council must achieve these savings while still providing a library service under its statutory obligations, as outlined in the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964.
The libraries proposed for closure are Aspley, Basford, Bilborough, and Radford-Lenton, all of which serve areas with higher levels of deprivation. The proposed reduction in opening hours across the remaining libraries would amount to a total of 123.5 fewer hours per week.
The consultation, which ran from 28 May to 19 August 2024, gathered responses from 5,378 people, including 394 children and young people, as well as 42 organisations.
Nottingham Central Library was the most frequently visited and 300,000 people visited in its first twelve months of operation, attracting 29% of respondents, while libraries such as Basford, which is earmarked for closure, also showed a notable engagement—likely driven by community concerns over the proposed cuts. A significant majority (75%) of respondents said they used a library at least once a month, and 46% usually walked to their chosen library.
The results of the consultation indicate overwhelming opposition to the proposed changes.
Many respondents highlighted the crucial role of libraries as community hubs, particularly for children, older adults, and people with disabilities.
In areas with limited public amenities, the libraries provide warm, safe spaces and access to essential services like books, digital resources, and social activities. Concerns were also raised over the potential impact of reduced opening hours, with many fearing that cutting availability would lead to a decline in library use, creating a negative cycle that could justify further cuts in the future.
The Council also received over 630 suggestions for alternative opening hours, which included later evenings, staggered hours across libraries, and greater opening times during school holidays.
Suggestions for alternative models to save the libraries included community management, partnerships with local organisations, and the use of volunteers to keep branches open. However, many respondents cautioned that relying on volunteers may not be a sustainable solution and that libraries require skilled librarians to function effectively.
Among the groups who took part in the consultation, Friends of Meadows Library made their voices heard with over 500 comments in support of their local branch. The campaign to save these vital community resources also saw letters sent to stakeholders such as Arts Council England and UNESCO City of Literature. This level of engagement underscores the importance of libraries to the people of Nottingham.
The consultation also revealed disparities in the usage and dependency on library services in different communities. Libraries in less affluent areas saw high rates of engagement from residents who rely on the services for educational support, internet access, and community activities. The closure of these branches could disproportionately affect these communities, especially those who have no other means of accessing such resources.
While there were some respondents who supported the proposed changes, suggesting that underused libraries should close to protect the wider network, they were a small minority (around 2.5%). Others suggested prioritising cuts in more affluent areas to protect services where they are most needed. As a result of the consultation, some principles are being put forward for further consideration, including better use of digital services, community and volunteer management, and partnerships with other local services.
The Council’s Statutory Scrutiny Committee is now considering the feedback received during the consultation. Key considerations include whether there could be opportunities for the voluntary sector to take over the management of some branches or whether partnerships with local universities and community groups might offer a way forward. The challenge, according to the Committee, will be to deliver a financially sustainable library service that maintains its statutory obligations while also responding to community needs. Final recommendations will be developed for decision-making by early 2025.
The proposal to transform Nottingham’s library service is driven by financial pressures but has clearly struck a chord with residents who see libraries as essential components of community life. As Nottingham City Council moves towards making its final decisions, the future of the city’s libraries remains uncertain, with many residents hoping that their voices will be heard and that alternative solutions can be found.
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