Issue - meetings

To give consideration to the Libraries Strategy prior to it being submitted to Cabinet for approval

Consideration was given to the new Libraries Strategy that had been developed to define the priorities for Cheshire East Libraries to ensure the Council fulfils its statutory duty while also contributing to the priorities for action set out in the Cheshire East Sustainable Communities Strategy.

The strategy was not proposing radical changes to the library service and trends would be looked at for individual Libraries, there would not be a one size fits all model. The key challenge was to continuously improve and modernise the way that the authority delivers the service and keep pace with evolving customer needs and aspirations, and to be flexible and responsive to take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves.

With regard to Lifestyle Centres, the Customer Service and Libraries Manager highlighted that there were currently no proposals to include Libraries in the centres and that this would only be done if it made sense to do so.

Members commented that the possibility of providing free Wi-Fi in libraries needed to be investigated.

It was agreed that the Committee would review the policy in 6 months time.

RESOLVED

1.    That Cabinet endorse the Libraries Strategy

2.    That the Committee review the strategy in 6 months time