End of a chapter? Is council preparing to wind down services at borough's four libraries?

 

Grimsby Central Library - rewiring required as is removal of asbestos 

AN online petition has been launched to save Grimsby Library which is under threat from North East Lincolnshire council spending cuts.

Say Grimsby, Cleethorpes & District Civic Society: "We assert that many local artefacts and amenities have already been removed from the building  to the detriment of the  local community. 

"We believe that the current building, whose design was assisted by several local artists, should be retained."       

The petition coincides with the launch of  a public consultation about the library services as a whole - including the branches in Cleethorpes, Immingham and Waltham - which are all run on NELC's behalf by Lincs Inspire.

North East Lincolnshire has a population of nearly 160,000, of whom around 29,000 residents have a library account and more than 8,400 are active library users,

Last year, the libraries welcomed over 160,000 in-person visits, with an additional 17,000 online downloads. 

Its archives fielded nearly 1,400 enquiries and both services continue to have a healthy social media following, too. 

So why is NELC seemingly so reluctant to celebrate such a valued service?

Says the ajuthority: "A lot of residents are not finding use for these services.

"The way people use our archives and libraries is changing, for example, through accessing more online resources.

"All services are having to manage the impact from rising costs, meaning that NELC must invest carefully in all its public services to get the best value for money for our residents. 

"We need to ensure that the services provided are fit for purpose and efficient for many years to come." 

Grimsby's Central Library is due shortly to close for an indefinite period for renewed renovations, notably to the wiring, and also to remove asbestos.

The authority has been reluctant to say whether any of its amenities might be temporarily located in another building - possibly the former House of Fraser building in Freshney Place.

The civic society acknowledges that  libraries need to embrace current needs and new technologies, but it maintains that, as a minimum,  the following should be provided:  

* Book lending, with an improved children's section

* Local History Section

* Archives section

* Exhibition/gallery space

* Meeting space

* Reception/booking office

* Working public conveniences

* Working lift to the upper floors

* Provision of educational or cultural courses

* A music library 

* Cultural events, as are held at Cleethorpes Library

*  Replacement of the outside ramp  with something more visually pleasing.

The petition concludes: "We urge that the library remains in its current location and that the upper floors are fully reopened to provide a vibrant and social public space for the benefit of residents and visitors alike."

Councillors are likely to quiz officers about the library service at a  meeting of NELC's tourism and visitor economy scrutiny panel on Thursday morning. 

To sign the petition, visit https://www.change.org and search for Grimsby library.

Alternatively, a Save Our Library page has been launched on Facebook. 

To take part in the council consultation, visit www.nelincs.gov.uk/have-your-say or complete a paper copy available from any of the four libraries. 

This consultation will close on  March 22 this year.