New library service for Gloucestershire

People across Gloucestershire are being asked to have their say on the future of library services.

Consultation documents are being distributed to libraries across Gloucestershire. You can fill in the online version here and an easy read version is also available. The survey should take you about 15 minutes to complete. If you would like help completing the survey please visit your local library, where one of the library staff will be happy to help you.

Follow this link to the on-line survey.

To complete our  Easy Read library survey [665kb]- print a copy, complete and return to us freepost.

If you have any questions or comments on the consultation, please email: libraries2012@gloucestershire.gov.uk.

We have also produced answers to some of the frequently asked questions at our roadshows, you can download  general questions [158kb] and  questions on community libraries [183kb].

The council has drafted a fresh strategy that aims to make the most of its limited resources, new technology and volunteers to create a service that really works for Gloucestershire's people.

On 20^th January, the council's cabinet approved a six-week consultation, which starts today, to get people's views on the proposals.

The consultation, which will run until 11^th March, includes:

• An online survey
• Paper survey available in all libraries
• Telephone survey of 1000 randomly selected Gloucestershire households
• Fifteen road shows across Gloucestershire
• Workshops with invited groups

The consultation will ask for people's views on the Council's proposals for::

• Main libraries - nine libraries open six days a week
• Local libraries - 12 libraries open five days a week - with options for flexibility to suit local needs
• Partnership Libraries - 10 libraries run by the county in partnership with communities.  Offering between12 and 21 hours of county library service. Building on the principle of sharing buildings with other groups to create a one stop shop for public services with the library remaining in county control.
• Community Offer Libraries -seven libraries available to the community under an enhanced  Big Community Offer

The council will be talking to people about mobile library provision before making any recommendations.

Roadshows

In order to help us hear your views, a series of roadshows will be taking place across the county as follows: