Councillors have approved a new strategic vision for libraries at a meeting of the Council’s Executive (Tuesday 9 May 2023).
Embedding themes from the Falkirk Plan as well as Scotland’s national strategy for public libraries, the new strategy will ensure the service best meets the needs of Falkirk’s communities while delivering business efficiencies.
The new strategic plan for libraries’ comes after an extensive consultation period, where more than 2,600 people responded to an online survey, with 200 plus attending in-person events.
Themes
The plan sets out the new direction for the Libraries Service, with six priorities:
- Empowering citizens
- Equity and inclusion
- Community wellbeing
- Reading and learning
- Culture and heritage
- Sustainable development and future investment
Change to opening hours
During development of the Strategic Plan, officers considered how best to meet the needs of communities while still achieving business efficiencies, and opening hours were examined.
As part of the engagement with communities, we asked for feedback on options that would reduce library opening hours. Currently, all libraries in Falkirk are open six days a week with two late night openings.
Feedback from users suggested the preferred option was to move to one late opening each week in each branch, keep Saturday morning openings and close all libraries on a Wednesday – typically the least busy day for libraries.
Closing libraries one day during the working week offers the opportunity for the buildings to be used by other Council services, partner and community organisations.
And while Falkirk Library will be closed on a Wednesday, the Hub will continue to open on that day.
Bo’ness, Bonnybridge, Denny, Falkirk, Grangemouth, Larbert and Meadowbank Libraries will open 36 hours a week. Slamannan will continue to be open 19 hours a week and will also open on a Saturday morning.
Background
In April 2022 Falkirk Libraries became part of Falkirk Council and was integrated into the Housing and Communities division.
An outline to redesign the service, develop a five-year Strategic Plan and deliver £425k of savings was made and approved by councillors in October 2022.