Joint Overview Committee to review draft library strategy 

A new draft strategy for Dorset Council’s libraries has just been published, with a fresh approach to delivering services and no proposed branch closures. 

Informed by over 12,000 responses, Dorset Council’s Joint Overview Committee will meet on 7 June to review the new Draft Library Strategy.

Shaped by user demand and two phases of public consultation and engagement, the draft proposals look to the future of Dorset’s libraries and how can they best meet the needs of residents and communities, now and over the next 10 years. 

The first phase of the #LetsTalkLibraries consultation sought the views of library users and non-users, children, partners, businesses, and employees to understand how the service could better meet the needs of residents. Over 7,500 survey responses were received, which were brought together with engagement workshops, evidence around local need, and responses from partners to inform the draft strategy proposals. 

The second phase of the #LetsTalkLibraries consultation asked respondents to share their views on the proposals to help prioritise and explore what delivery could look like in their communities. This received over 4,800 responses. When asked about the mission: To Inspire, Connect and Enable communities, 91 per cent of respondents supported it.

The consultation proposed a new model, with libraries being placed in three categories, with a core list of services available at each. 81 per cent of respondents agreed with this approach.  

• Library: delivers core library offer, open 18 hours across five days a week 
• Library plus: delivers an enhanced core library offer, open 30 hours, across five days a week,  
• Library Connect: library hub which delivers an enhanced core library offer including co-located partner services, open 42 hours across six days a week 

To ensure communities have access to the whole range of library services, the proposed model has been designed on where the facilities are based, so that if one library is closed at a specific time there will be another open nearby. 

This has resulted in a reduction of only one hour across the entire network of 23 Dorset Council managed libraries, with customers able to access library services six days a week across the county.

Cllr Laura Beddow, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Culture and Communities, said:

“The draft strategy reflects the wealth of feedback that we received during an extensive public consultation. We received an overwhelming response and I want to thank everyone who shared their views to shape the future of our library service.

An ambitious strategy informed by communities; I am pleased to say that there will be no closures. Libraries are at the heart of our communities and the draft strategy sets out how they will remain as such whilst providing an enhanced offer.

This is not the end of the conversation. We will continue to work closely with and listen to communities about their feelings towards our proposals.”

Shaped by customer need, the draft strategy also proposes new ways for libraries to support communities, partners and businesses whilst generating income – ensuring the sustainability of the service now and over the next ten years.

The draft strategy will go to Joint Overview Committee on 7 June for review before being presented to Cabinet for final approval this summer.  

You can read the draft strategy and supporting documents here. Copies of each document will be available for review at libraries on request. 

For more information on the consultation, please visit www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/lets-talk-libraries