Community libraries and advice services proposed to be integrated into new service following consultation.
Following the end of consultation and pending cabinet approval, Birmingham City Council’s Community Libraries and Information services will be integrated to create a new Connected Communities service.
The integrated approach means community libraries will serve as both universal safe spaces promoting access to information, community wellbeing, digital inclusion, education and culture, and as community hubs supporting residents with localised activities and support on their doorstep.
The service will continue to include a 24-hour online service, a citywide book reservation service, self-service, Library Services at Home, and as well as a digital library offering.
As part of the service, individual community libraries will be open for a set number of days.
10 libraries will be open for a minimum of four days with 17 part time libraries open for a minimum of three days, of which four are planned co-located libraries. There are also plans for seven partner-led libraries. Alongside the library services, two mobile library vehicles will serve up to 50 citywide stops a week.
Advice services will work across libraries in the city, offering residents access to high quality information advice and guidance and connections to wider support services in their local community.
Councillor Saima Suleman, Cabinet Member for Digital, Culture, Heritage and Tourism, said: “I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to all stages of our community libraries consultation and this valuable feedback is helping us shape the future of the service.
“The proposed Connected Communities service will maintain library and advice services in safe spaces open to all.”
The full report can be found here:https://birmingham.cmis.uk.com/birmingham/Meetings/tabid/70/ctl/ViewMeetingPublic/mid/397/Meeting/14215/Committee/2/Default.aspx
