Controversial library plans approved

Published 4 Jun 2011 12:00 2 Comments

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CONTROVERSIAL plans to outsource libraries across the Wokingham borough to a private company have been rubber-stamped.

Despite disquiet among some library users the council executive approved the idea last Thursday in a bid to save £170,000 a year.

Cllr UllaKarin Clark, executive member for community development, said: "We will not be closing any services. We are looking for ideas not just for investment, but also to serve the public better.

"We need to agree to start a dialogue with private companies to see if the interest is there. If a partner is identified, then we will be required to agree again on whether to go ahead with outsourcing."

But that worries Bethan Walke, a committee member at Woodley's Lend and Play Toy Library, who uses Wargrave library regularly with her children, three-year-old Meghan and one-year-old Nerys.

She said: "I am still concerned about closures because some libraries are used more than others and if a private company made decisions based on the level of usage, then some services may disappear. It makes no difference if a community has 2,000 people using a library or 20 people, it is still an essential resource."

Councillors branded the plans "innovative" and "exciting", which will affect more than 70 members of staff in libraries in Arborfield, Finchampstead, Lower Earley, Maiden Erlegh, Spencers Wood, Twyford, Wargrave, Winnersh, Wokingham and Woodley.

Cllr Rob Stanton, executive member for education, said: "This is a very exciting opportunity. We have not committed to anything yet, but this could give the libraries a new lease of life.

"The world of books is under pressure and there is a new generation of readers out there that we must attract into the libraries."

Cllr Matt Deegan, executive member for community development, added: "I understand the need to engage outside expertise with companies who understand the environment."

But Cllr Prue Bray, Lib Dem opposition leader, said: "Libraries mean a lot to people and I think it is disgraceful that there has been no consultation with library users or schools."

Councillors voted unanimously in favour of the plans, which means private sector companies will now be invited to come forward to bid for the five year contract, to begin from May next year.

This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 03 Jun 11

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alan wylie
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Jun 5, 08:34
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This is a two pronged attack, first find a private company to take on the well used libraries and then farm the rest out to volunteers or community groups and then slowly watch the footfall dwindle and the service suffer! It is user friendly divestment but it is still privatisation whatever Councillor Ullakarin Clark says! Councillor Clark and her collegaues should do well to take a lesson from California when dealing with the outsourcing/privatisation of public libraries see http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2011/06/despite-strong-opposition-from.html

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Peter
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Jun 11, 08:23
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Let us not forget that a companys main goal is to make a profit for it's directors and shareholders. This should not be the motive for running a library service. Instead of handing it over to a private company why not hire in the expertise to manage it more profitably yourselves.

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