Advertisement

Talks begin over the future of Liverpool's libraries

Talks have begun over the future of Liverpool libraries as the council works to cut costs.

View all 6 updates ›

Future of Liverpool's libraries discussed

Liverpool libraries await fate Credit: PA

Liverpool residents will get to have their say on the future of 11 community libraries at risk of closing in the city. The budget is losing £2.5m as the council tries to save £156m over the next three years

The public meeting will take place from 6pm to 8pm at the Lee Valley Millennium Centre, Childwall Valley Road.

A number of discussions are already underway with interested parties about taking over the running of some of the venues which are Breck Road, Dovecot, Fazakerley, Kensington, Lee Valley, Old Swan, Sefton Park, Spellow, Walton, Wavertree and West Derby libraries.

The council say under the proposals, 95% of people will still live within two miles of a library and the Home Library Service and the RNIB Talking Book Service will not be affected.

The city council would continue to run Central Library - which is used by 45 percent of service users - and seven community libraries: Croxteth, Norris Green, Toxteth, Childwall, Allerton, Garston and Parklands

Liverpool has 19 public libraries in total. Those at risk of closure include:

  • Breck Road Library
  • Dovecot Library
  • Fazakerley Library
  • Kensington Library
  • Lee Valley Library
  • Old Swan Library
  • Sefton Park Library
  • Spellow Library
  • Walton Library
  • Wavertree Library
  • West Derby Library

They are potentially at risk because of a number of factors including below average use, high running costs, their proximity to another library and the potential of the service being provided by another organisation or group.

"The scale of the cuts facing us is extremely challenging and we want to make sure we've explored all the options available.

"We understand that libraries are hugely valued by the local community, and these meetings are a vital way in which members of the public can express their views and also find out from the team involved why certain proposals have been made.

"I hope as many people as possible are able to attend either Thursday's, or one of the later meetings so that we can work together as much as possible to shape the future of Liverpool's library service."

– Councillor Wendy Simon

Further meetings will take place in the forthcoming weeks and will be announced as the soon as the dates and venues are confirmed.

  1. Read more
  2. 6 updates
Talks begin over the future of Liverpool's libraries

More top news