Building a Flexible Library and Archive Service for Ceredigion

​In a Cabinet meeting to be held on Tuesday 10 November, Members decided to proceed with consultation on the proposed re-design options for future delivery of the Library Service.

Options were put before Members who chose two options to proceed with public and staff consultation, which will commence imminently. Option one is the closure of Llandysul library and the reduction of the mobile library fleet by two vehicles, and option two is the closure of Llandysul library, the reduction of the mobile library fleet by 1 vehicle and the relocation of Cardigan library. This will have a direct impact on the library service staff for future delivery options for the Public Library services.

Customers will reap the benefits of greater online access to the Library and Archive Service, which will also help to ensure a service that will be strongly placed to cater for future generations, as well as ensuring a more cost effective service model for the Council.

The service currently operates through face to face customer interaction based in static buildings, using primarily manual processes mixed with elements of digital provision in place.

The new service would make much greater use of digital and mobile access to online customer process, reduce the number of static libraries and introduce a Customer Engagement Hub in all libraries. Front line customer interaction will be provided by Customer Engagement Staff, taking pressure off the library staff to deliver their core responsibilities.

Ongoing financial pressure across the public sector means that Ceredigion County Council needs to make financial savings of at least £25 million over the next three years. For this to be achieved, fundamental changes are required across all services, and how services are delivered to the customer is part of the changes.