Library services will improve under new plans, say council chiefs
Council chiefs have insisted a borough's library service will improve next year under plans to increase community involvement.
Walsall Council has launched a review into its libraries, which are currently closed until January with all services suspended due to the pandemic.
Up to now bosses have remained tight lipped over the future of the seven libraries, prompting concerns that permanent closures could be on the cards as the authority looks to cut £36 million in a bid to balance the books.
But Councillor Garry Perry, the authority's libraries chief, said a planned new community-led approach would improve services for people in the borough.
He said the council wanted to increase services available in local libraries, and also launch street libraries and new community sites to increase usage.
Responsibility for libraries was taken over by the council’s resilient communities team in October.
Councillor Perry, said: "I am convinced that our new community library service will deliver greater community involvement and greater innovation.
"Be prepared to see positive change as we identify positive community approaches including street libraries, book boxes and more community locations.
Vital
"In addition, we intend to grow the number and type of services available in our local libraries.
"Of course we will be calling on communities to play their part in ensuring we build a community service fit for the future.
"Our communities have delivered some fantastic things during the Covid-19 pandemic and we will continue that partnership in the future."
Walsall lost nine libraries in 2017, a move which the then ruling Labour administration blamed on budget cuts.
Councillor Aftab Nawaz, leader of Walsall's opposition Labour group, said: "We understand that cuts need to be made and there are concerns that services will be put at risk.
"We would oppose the closures of any more libraries in Walsall. Libraries provide a vital service to the community and we need to do all we can to maintain what we have left."
Bosses have stressed that no decisions have yet been made and any potential changes to services will go out to public consultation.
They said it was in "the best interests of residents" that libraries remain closed at this time.
