Library reform imminent

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The restructuring of how the wands worth and Croydon libraries have moved a step closer after 5 organisations were shortlisted as potential partners under an new initiative to better deliver the library service in the 2 London boroughs

The restructuring of how the wands worth and Croydon libraries have moved a step closer after 5 organisations were shortlisted as potential partners under an new initiative to better deliver the library service in the 2 London boroughs. The aim is to provide a more cost-effective way of managing the libraries, becoming more responsive to customer demands and to ultimately offer better value for money to the tax payer.

For over a year the two councils have been exploring ways to better improve the service. After review, a mixture of commercial companies and local authorities has been selected to demonstrate why they should be selected to take over the program.

Wandsworth’s environment and culture spokesman Cllr Jonathan Cook said: “The libraries in our two boroughs are among the best loved and best used in London. Our aim is to build on these achievements and deliver a new and improved service that’s fit for the modern age.

“Our partnership with Croydon will utilise the latest innovations from new providers with new thinking while also allowing us to generate savings by sharing overheads and purchasing power.

“Both boroughs have a wealth of experience of market testing that dates back three decades, across a vast range of services like leisure centres, refuse collection and street cleaning.

“Bringing in this outside expertise has led to major improvements in these services and greatly reduced running costs. It is one of the reasons why Wandsworth scores so highly in resident satisfaction surveys and at same time has been able to levy the country’s lowest council tax bills for the past 30 years.

“In these tough economic times we must ensure libraries continue to evolve and keep pace with fast changing needs and demands from the public.”

Croydon’s cabinet member for culture and sport Cllr Sara Bashford said:
“Over the years we have seen substantial cost savings and service improvements through contracting arrangements such as these and our intention is to see this repeated through this exercise.”

During the current recession, over 600 libraries have been closed nationwide in a bid to reduce the national deficit.

Cllr Cook added: "Like every other council we have to reduce our spending but the aim here is to keep our libraries open and thriving. We want to avoid what has happened elsewhere which has been the closure of many local branch libraries.”

This was echoed by Cllr Bashford who added: “Our primary concern is to prevent any of branch libraries from being closed. We consulted with our residents last year and they made it quite clear that this has to be our priority.”

At this time of economic uncertainty it is more important than ever that the future of the local libraries is secured, and with these steps proposed, the appropriate steps are being undertaken to secure the future of the libraries.