Proposal
We are seeking ideas for the future delivery of Shawbury Library.
We have been discussing future management options for Shawbury Library with local residents and organisations including Shawbury Parish Council, Shawbury Village Hall committee, RAF Shawbury and St Mary's CE Primary School since February 2015.
These discussions included a drop in event at the library in July 2015 that was attended by about 16 people. The value of on-going free access to computers and the internet was emphasised as was the important two way supportive relationship between the library service and village hall.
Despite these discussions taking place, to date no suggestions for alternative management of Shawbury library service have been made or are being developed.
We have however, received a petition titled “We the undersigned wish to protest the planned closure of Shawbury Library” with over 1,000 signatures from a Shawbury resident. It is important to note that no decision has been taken on the future of Shawbury library.
There will now be another opportunity for alternative management arrangements for the library service in Shawbury to be proposed to the council through a six week period.
We are holding a public drop in event on 18 November between 4pm - 6.30pm at Shawbury Library, which will provide the opportunity for anyone interested to look around the library and discuss their ideas with our officers.
The need for change in the way the library service is delivered in Shropshire is linked to making financial savings and to finding new ways of ensuring the delivery and sustainability of high quality services in an efficient manner.
Moving to new arrangements for the management of Shropshire's libraries by local community groups, voluntary organisations, social enterprises or a town or parish councils, is consistent with our move to a commissioning council and wanting to support the best possible solutions for the ongoing delivery and sustainability of valued local services.
A significant element of the current library running cost is fixed within the lease between us and Shawbury Village Hall meaning that if we continued to deliver the library service from its current location only staffing costs could be reviewed.
If we continued to run the library, in order to achieve the level of savings required to ensure a sustainable and efficient service a significant reduction in opening hours may be necessary. Under these circumstances it may not be sensible, efficient or practical for the static library service to continue.
Closure and alternative provision, for example via a mobile library service, would need to be considered. However, before any final decision was taken this would be subject to a period of formal public consultation.
The approach
Our preferred approach
To transfer the management of the library service to a new organisation and for it to be delivered either in its existing location or an alternative location within the village. Within this approach the intention would be to maintain the existing opening hours and for us to provide support to the new organisation within a contract, e.g. with the provision of books, access to library management systems, training and support of staff, etc.
Alternative approaches
Other approaches and ideas which would assist us in meeting our required outcomes to reduce costs and to deliver a sustainable library service will be welcomed.
We have a strong commitment to promoting equality, diversity and social inclusion and the potential impact of the preferred proposal on library users, particularly those who might be more impacted by any change, will be assessed through the completion and on-going review of an Equality and Social Inclusion Impact Assessment (ESIIA).
A set of Frequently Asked Questions has been produced, available at the bottom of this page, to help you understand the background and context to proposals for the future delivery of the library.
The information received will help to inform the development of options for the future delivery of library services in Shawbury. Detailed options will be subject to a further period of public consultation.
To take part, please read through the proposals first, and then complete our short survey available by clicking on the "how to get involved' tab at the top of this page.
Copies of the survey and frequently asked questions are also available from the Shawbury Library, Village Hall and Co-Op.
The current library service in Shawbury
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DETAIL
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Library
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Shawbury Library, Parish Hall, Church Road, Shawbury, Shropshire, SY4 4NH
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Management organisation
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Shropshire Council manage the library under a 35 year part - repairing lease with the Shawbury Village Hall committee
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Library opening hours
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- Monday 12:00 - 16:00
- Tuesday Closed
- Wednesday 14:00 - 18:00
- Thursday Closed
- Friday 12:00 - 16:00
- Saturday 10:00 - 13:00
Total = 15 hours
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Parking
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Parking in circa 25 adjacent parking spaces
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Access to IT / computers
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Public computers available free to library members
One-to-one adult computer and tablet lessons with trained volunteers
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Summary of library services
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- free membership for all
- the lending of adult books, audio books, large print books and DVDs
- a children's library area and range of books for children from age 0 upwards
- a collection of books for teenagers
- local history resources
- regular exchange of books with other libraries
- request service - obtaining books from other libraries requested by customers
- free access to public computers for library members; internet access and printing
- trained staff to issue and return books, answer enquiries, help people to choose books and use computers
- online services on the Library Service website for use 24/7
- regular events such as story times, rhyme times, class visits from local schools, adult and teenage reading groups, author talks and social events
- information and advice on other services, local groups, etc.
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Library usage
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2010/11
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2011/12
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2012/13
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2013/14
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2014/15
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%Change over 5yrs
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Visits
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10,157
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7,325
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7,460
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6,284
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4,579
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-55%
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Active borrowers
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342
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305
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278
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289
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286
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-16%
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Computer time used (mins)
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76,297
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63,888
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70,440
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54,738
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42,756
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-44%
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Total loans
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9,015
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8,679
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7,624
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7,857
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8,138
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-10%
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Requests
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344
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372
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328
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328
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294
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-15%
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Space for community activities
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The library provides a meeting space for community groups, e.g. Reading Group, and a range of activities e.g. children's story time and class visits
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Volunteers to support the service
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1 volunteer for the Home Library Service
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Direct costs of running the library Service for Shropshire Council in 2015/16
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£14,680
- Premises Cost - £5,380
- Staff Costs - £9,760
- Supplies and Services - £140
- Income - (£600)
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Our proposal
Our preferred approach is to transfer the management of the library to a new organisation in its existing location or a new location in Shawbury.
We are seeking to transfer the management of the library to a new community based organisation.
Ideally this would be within the existing location but other locations could be considered.
We would provide ongoing back office support to the new managing organisation for the delivery of the library within a three year contract with defined roles and responsibilities and support.
The existing library staff would be transferred to the new management organisation, which would provide a broadly similar range of library services currently available to users of the library. Within this approach the council will be seeking to make significant savings against the existing direct running costs.
How to get involved
Click the green button to access our online feedback form where you can let us know your thoughts on our proposal, or suggest alternatives.
Feedback now »
