Hillingdon residents encouraged to have say on library strategy
Wednesday 1 March 2023: Hillingdon residents, partners, businesses and community groups can now have their say on the vision for Hillingdon Council's library service for the next five years.
The council's Cabinet approved the council's draft Library Service Strategy 2023-27 for consultation at its February meeting.
The strategy outlines a commitment to building on existing successes and introducing new initiatives so as many people as possible can experience Hillingdon libraries' vast benefits, while ensuring they are sustainable for the future.
It focuses on five key areas: reading, literacy and culture; health and wellbeing; improving digital services and inclusion; information and learning; and sustainable service delivery.
The cornerstones of a traditional library - books, computers and information - remain and they will continue to offer much-loved services, such as the Home Library Service, mobile library and a diverse programme of free or low-cost events and activities. Yet, the council wants to be more ambitious and go further by looking for new ways to promote the service and attract new visitors. This will include setting up new initiatives to respond to what residents need and delivering digital solutions to enhance customer experience and the digital library.
Libraries will also continue to be reviewed to ensure budgets stretch as far as possible, with hours that take usage and location into account.
Cllr Eddie Lavery, Hillingdon Council's Cabinet Member for Residents' Services, said: "Libraries are a key council service that serve the community by fostering safe and strong communities, creating thriving healthy households and providing opportunities to learn, work and live independently.
"We recognise the significant economic and environmental challenges currently facing public services. However, through flexible management of resources and budgets, and providing services in different ways, we will ensure every single person who lives, works or studies in the borough finds a library service fit for the future and that they are proud to use."
The strategy will also be considered by the Residents' Services Select Committee before Cabinet considers all feedback and the final draft.
To view the strategy and have your say visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk/library-strategy before the closing date of Sunday 16 April.