The Council is developing a draft Library Strategy for the next 3 years. The purpose of the strategy is to guide the service to further supporting our communities, being innovative and providing an excellent experience for everyone.
Unlike many local authority areas where libraries have been permanently shut due to budget pressures, Reading Council has retained all of its seven library branches and is fully committed to maintaining this approach by making the best possible use of its limited resources.
The vision for Reading Libraries is that they are innovative, accessible to all, at the heart of all of our communities and enhancing the lives of Reading people. They inspire learning and enjoyment, provide books, content and activities and help everyone to navigate the digital world.
- The vision is underpinned by five key focus areas:
- Supporting our communities as we recover from the pandemic
- Helping Children and Young People
- Improving access to online services
- Supporting improvements in Health, Wellbeing and Literacy
- Bringing arts, culture and heritage to library spaces
The Council is now inviting residents to feedback on these priorities. Residents are also asked to share how they use the library service, what is most important to them and what they would be most interested in using in future. They are invited to comment on Reading Central Library and the Library’s Home Service.
An online consultation launches today at www.reading.gov.uk/libraryconsultation
There will be a consultation event at Central Library on Tuesday 24 August between 11am and 4pm. This will offer an opportunity for people to feedback in person and the chance to ask questions about the library service.
Alongside the online survey and the library event, several focus groups are being held during the six-week period, with key groups in Reading.
