Inspiring Libraries consultation and drop-in sessions

Note from the county council

A public consultation on proposed changes to Hertfordshire Library Service will run from 29 September to 7 December.

In addition to completing questionnaires, residents will also have the chance to speak to Members and senior library managers at a series of drop-in sessions at libraries across the county. You can read the timetable of these sessions on hertsdirect here. Please pass this on to residents in your area.

The consultation gives everyone a chance to consider specific proposals for their library. Their views will help develop the next steps in implementing Hertfordshire County Council’s innovative strategy ‘Inspiring Libraries’ which aims to ensure that the county’s libraries become increasingly important and relevant to local communities over the next ten years.

Some of the key changes proposed include:

  • Each of Hertfordshire’s 46 libraries will be placed in three distinct categories, each with a different offer to the community and to ensure people are clear about what their local library has to offer.
  • We want to increase the number of volunteers helping out in our libraries so in some cases we can increase opening hours and enable people to learn new skills.
  • We will review our outreach and mobile services to explore replacing the current mobile library service with an expanded Home Library Service for customers who cannot access other libraries due to disability or mobile difficulties.
  • We will invest in digital technology such as tablet computers and wifi and create a Library App and a virtual librarian in self-service or volunteer-led libraries.
  • We will look at sharing buildings with other public services to make best use of community resources and save money.
  • We will increase income – for example through the hire of library space and sale of refreshments, which will go into creating an even better service for you.
  • Finally, we will improve the way we promote our libraries to ensure more people know what they have to offer.

You can find out more at www.hertsdirect.org/inspiringlibraries

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