Issue - meetings

The Executive Member for Equalities, Culture and Inclusion presented the report

Key Points were raised in the discussion:

• The Executive Member explained that an officer restructure had delayed progress on the library plan however this was now well underway.
• Councillors suggested stocking literature and other library amenities in different languages to appeal to those that may not have English as a first language. The Executive Member explained they had already begun making progress on this but hope to expand further with the increase of Ukrainian refugees in the borough.
• Councillors suggested increasing comms on what was available in libraries, such as audiobooks, magazines, e-books, to begin to appeal to a wider audience.
• The Executive Member said they would explore behaviour changes as to why there had been a decrease in usage in libraries even since the end of the pandemic.
• It was suggested that, post-covid, libraries needed to be reinvented to engage more people, possibly by hosting exhibitions. Suggestions were made by councillors to explore the possibility of making libraries a point of socialising for the community, with the possibility of opening a café or hosting community events in the facilities.
• The Executive Member commented these were all very good suggestions. Issues of funding and space had to be considered, however she was happy for the committee to present these ideas for her to explore further.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted