Decision details

The Community Run Library Programme objectives were set out in the Cabinet paper E3000 dated 23/11/2017. The proposals will enable the Council to start to realise savings targets set by the Community Libraries Programme through reduced revenue costs. The Council will award £5,000 towards each applicant in accordance with the agreed criteria.

In addition, the Council will use its ‘Enabling Fund’ to support transitional costs for the Branch Library as well as making available unwanted equipment and furniture to all applicants where appropriate. This will be dealt with on a case by case basis and as appropriate.

All applications meet the relevant criteria and are beneficial to the local community.

A summary of each proposal is detailed below:-

Moorland Road Community Library Charity (MRCLC) will take over the running of the library within the existing building from April 2019. The group wish to maintain the current level of service, offering free internet access, participate in national library literacy schemes, running small groups for children and a Book Club for adults as well as events and will make the space available for hire. The group has a board of trustees and over 60 volunteers.

Larkhall Community library (LCL) was one of the first community libraries set up over five years ago. The library is open Monday to Friday from 9am – 3pm. They have a dedicated library room in Oriel Hall. The Hall is run by a voluntary Management Committee, they have two part-time staff, with support from a small group of committed volunteers. Last year they set up a home delivery service for their library members. This is delivered to two local care homes and local residents. The grant will be used to extend their book stock to offer more variety and also include some audio books including make some improvements to their library room providing a new floor.

Equalities assessments have been carried out on each application and further advice has been given where appropriate. Each applicant will receive Equalities Training as part of the package of training support provided by the Council as well as on-going support through the libraries network.

An application to run a Community Run Library has been received including a request for funding from an existing Community Library. They have been assessed against a number of criteria which includes: governance, equalities, and community consultation and have all followed the approved process set out in the Cabinet Decision E3000 and meet the criteria of the programme.

To approve the following application and grant requests of £5,000 towards the set-up of the Community Run Library:

1. Application for the transfer of Moorland Road Branch Library to Moorland Road Community Library Charity and grant.
2. Grant for an existing Community Library in Larkhall.

The final terms of the agreement for each location will be finalised in due course.

The objectives for setting up a Community Run Library were addressed in the Cabinet paper and discussed at length in a subsequent call in request. All applicants meet the requirements for a Community Run Library and only one application was submitted for each location. Other options would be considered by Cabinet if no applications had been received.