Library service review frequently asked questions

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• Why are we making changes?
• What are the key proposals?
• Why are the reductions to opening hours larger at the smaller libraries?
• How does the initial investment of 546K in self service machines, with on going costs for servicing and maintenance save any money?
• Where are the savings coming from?
• When will new core opening hours start?
• When will self service machines be introduced?
• What will the volunteers do?
• Who will organise these volunteers?
• What do I do if I’m interested in volunteering?
• What if I can’t attend my volunteering session?
• What if there are not enough volunteers for a particular library?
• Are there any other volunteering opportunities?
• Is it legal for the library service to use volunteers?
• Who will look after the stock and the buildings for the ten smallest libraries?
• Are any libraries going to close?
• Will staff jobs be at risk?
• As the stock fund is going to be reduced, what do I do if I want to give the library book donations?

Why are we making changes?

Government funding to Wiltshire Council has been reduced by 28.4%. In order to help the council meet this budget reduction the library service has been asked to save 28% from it its budget

What are the key proposals?

The proposals approved by Wiltshire Council’s cabinet on 25 January 2011 will allow the library service to make the savings required whilst retaining its full network of service points, and keeping all five mobile libraries operating. The proposals for Wiltshire compare well to those for neighbouring library authorities of a similar size.

• The Capital Assets Committee on 7 February approved funding for RFID self service machines for all library service points. This will allow us to reduce operating costs
• The service will continue to operate 21 fully funded libraries with new rationalised core opening hours.
• The ten smallest libraries, which between them account for 3% of current library visits, will be operated in partnership with volunteers from the community. The council will continue to provide the building, library stock, and five hours of paid support staff time per week
• There will be opportunities for volunteers to extend the opening hours beyond the new core hours at many libraries
• All five mobile libraries will continue to operate

Why are the reductions to opening hours larger at the smaller libraries?

Given the scale of the budget cuts, we have to focus service funding so it can be used efficiently. The ten smallest libraries in the county account for 3% of the total visitors to the library service per year. The five next smallest sized libraries, whose opening hours are to be reduced to 14 core hours, account for only 6% of visits.

How does the initial investment of 546K in self service machines, with on going costs for servicing and maintenance save any money?

The investment in self service will allow us to make savings in our staff salaries budget which will pay for the investment in 1.5 years. The staffing savings will then be annual recurring savings.

Where are the savings coming from?

16% of the savings have already been made in this financial year from reducing the number of managers in the service. Over the next two years we need to save an additional 12% (£505K). This will be madefrom further staff savings and a£149K reduction in the stock fund.

When will new core opening hours start?

The core opening hours will start on 1 September 2011

When will self service machines be introduced?

The self service machines will be installed in all libraries by September. We already have experience of installing these in the six largest libraries. A detailed work programme will be drawn up to ensure that installation goes forward smoothly, and to allow the necessary time to train staff and volunteers to use the machines.

What will the volunteers do?

Volunteers who come forward will assist customers to use self service terminals outside library core opening hours, return books to the shelves and help customers log on the Peoples’ Network computers. All volunteers will receive on going training and support from library service staff.

Who will organise these volunteers?

A local volunteer coordinator will timetable volunteers and make sure that there are sufficient people available to cover the agreed opening hours.

What do I do if I’m interested in volunteering?

Contact your local library which will have a form you can complete. All volunteers will be required to undertake a Criminal Records Bureau check, which will be organised if you are taken on as a volunteer. Alternatively contact: Rebecca Bolton on 01225 713706 or GROW Voluntary Services on 01249 654089.

What if I can’t attend my volunteering session?

Volunteers will work in teams of at least two. The volunteer coordinator will arrange for another volunteer to take the place of anyone who cannot make their session.

What if there are not enough volunteers for a particular library?

If enough volunteers do not come forward to open any one of the ten smallest libraries for more than three hours a week then we will talk to the community concerned about other options for service delivery, such as a mobile library service. However, we have already a high level of interest from volunteers and we will continue to work with GROW Voluntary Service, area boards and town and parish councils so as many people as possible have the opportunity to volunteer.

Are there any other volunteering opportunities?

Yes, the library service already has over 270 volunteers helping with the service in a variety of roles such as the housebound service and the Summer Reading Challenge for children, for more information ask at your local library.

Is it legal for the library service to use volunteers?

It is legal for volunteers to work in the library.

Who will look after the stock and the buildings for the ten smallest libraries?

The council will retain responsibility for the library building and the library service will still supply and maintain the stock.

Are any libraries going to close?

Our plans should allow libraries to remain open. If there are no volunteers to take help operate the ten smallest libraries then we will talk to the community about other options that will allow us to continue to offer a library service, such as a mobile library service.

Will staff jobs be at risk?

To make the savings required we have to reduce the number of library service posts. These will need to go from both back office and library staff teams. This will be achieved as far as possible through posts that are already vacant, finding other posts within the service and voluntary redundancy.

As the stock fund is going to be reduced, what do I do if I want to give the library book donations?

Book donations are always welcomed, and we appreciate that customers want to help their library in this way. Before we can accept donations, our staff will need to assess the suitability for the library and reserve the right to use or sell any donations as deemed necessary.

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Last updated: 11 April 2012