Cumberland Council is soon to launch a wide-ranging project which aims to ensure the area’s library services are fit for the future.
Residents, partner organisations and other stakeholders will play a key role in helping to shape the future offer of the library service with a comprehensive engagement exercise soon to get underway.
The first phase will include engaging with a range of stakeholders to gather their views through a public survey, a series of workshops and drop-in sessions.
One of the council’s main aims is to continue to deliver library services that are welcoming and accessible to all and make the most of digital-based offering which are becoming increasingly popular.
Cllr Anne Quilter, the council’s Executive member for Vibrant and Healthy Places, said:
“I’m really proud of the library service and I want to stress that we won’t be reducing our current offer, however, as a new authority with our own priorities and ambitions, as well as rapidly-changing needs of our community and user habits, we want to ensure that the service is fit for the future.
“The council wants to offer our residents convenient, local access to library, council and other services that empower them to achieve positive health, wellbeing and economic outcomes.
“We really want to hear the views of residents and organisations to help us shape this work so please do take the time to complete the surveys or attend the drop-ins when they happen.”
The public survey is set to launch on April 22 and run until July 4 with other workshops, engagement sessions and drop-ins taking place throughout the spring and early part of summer.
Once all the information is gathered the council will then be able to make proposals on what Cumberland’s library service could offer and how it can best be delivered. Residents and other stakeholders will be kept up to date with ongoing developments.