Wiltshire Council's library strategy published

A strategy that outlines Wiltshire Council's library service's vision, purpose and key areas of focus for the next five years has been published following its approval late last year.

The Wiltshire Council Library Strategy 2025-2030 was agreed at the council's Cabinet meeting in December 2024 and was developed following extensive dialogue with communities and partners across the county.

A high proportion of older people use library services and demand is predicted to increase in the coming years, just as the county's ageing population does. The library service is ensuring it can support the council's prevention agenda and help reduce demand for council health and wellbeing services.

The council's library service completed a very positive peer review in July 2023. The report included a recommendation to "Articulate the vision of the library service and create a strategy through engagement with internal and external stakeholders so everyone has ownership of it".

Building on the work it already does, the strategy sets out the council's six focus areas for its library service:

• Comprehensive and efficient service - ensuring well-trained staff and volunteers are available in welcoming, accessible buildings and mobile libraries to deliver services reflecting the needs of communities.
• Reading, culture and creativity - building a literate community for all ages through access to books, reading and cultural experiences.
• Information and digital - enable access to quality information and digital services.
• Health and wellbeing - support the health and wellbeing of library users.
• Children and young people - inspire children and young people to enjoy books and read for pleasure from an early age.
• Accessible services - provide an inclusive and welcoming reading and learning environment.

2024 was a successful year for the library service with both items loaned and visits exceeding the previous year by 6.5% and 8.5% respectively. The installation of new meeting pods in larger libraries, supporting residents to attend online interviews with prospective employers, support organisations and other council teams, has been very well received. With an additional investment of £50,000 in book stock and the delivery of a £30,000 Arts Council funded Reading Roadshow of author events, the benefits of reading for pleasure are at the front and centre of service delivery.

Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, Cabinet Member for Libraries, said: "I am delighted that Wiltshire's residents can now see our finalised library strategy. It underpins all the fantastic and worthwhile work that happens within the service.

"Our vision is for libraries to be trusted spaces at the centre of their local community. We have demonstrated that we offer not only a service that loans books but also provides a wide range of additional vital services for our customers.

"We shall ensure our library services continue to innovate and adapt to the changing needs and habits of our local communities and this strategy will be central to that."

The library strategy can be found at Policy documents.

More information about the Wiltshire Council library service can be found at Libraries.