Pressure around a potential reduction in the number of librarians across Devon has ramped up after campaigners urged local politicians to scrutinise the process.
Members of the public raised concerns about the consultation that is underway by Libraries Unlimited, the organisation that runs Devon’s 50 libraries, which could see librarian numbers cut.
The move comes just months after Devon County Council agreed extra funding for libraries, and also opted to maintain their existing set-up and operating hours in response to huge opposition against proposed changes.
The county council has no involvement in the current librarian consultation, which is being conducted entirely by Libraries Unlimited. It was also reiterated that the council could not comment on it because it was being conducted by an independent entity.
“I’m not calling the Libraries Unlimited consultation ‘rubbish’, but if these proposals go ahead, every library will suffer and every community will be diminished and small rural libraries vanish,” said Marilyn Spidell, secretary of the Ottery Library Friends.
She highlighted that Devon County Council, while not being directly involved in the consultation, still had a statutory duty to secure a comprehensive and efficient library service.
“This proposal to abolish library supervisors is like trying to drive a car without an engine,” she said.
“Without supervisors, libraries stop, because it is they who bring libraries to life; supervisors are the heartbeat of the service, they know the books, the people, they connect with schools, community groups, and volunteers.”
She claimed the plan to recruit area managers was “misguided” because there was no way one person could offer the same bespoke service that library supervisors could provide when covering just one library.
Sian Smith, another member of the Ottery Library Friends group, said she felt Libraries Unlimited’s proposal was “remarkably similar” to the one that Devon County Council had been exploring, and which was rejected.
“The consequences [of this consultation] could mean that the beating heart of libraries is taken out of them, and people will stop coming,” she said.
“Small libraries will fail and become targets for closure until we’re just left with two or three larger ones and a few open access, inhuman spaces.”
Ms Smith added there was a certain irony that Devon County Council was offering applications to a £330,000 fund for specialised library projects at a time when Libraries Unlimited was holding a staff consultation.
Councillor Sara Wilson (Green Party, Ilfracombe) said the proposed changes could lead to libraries being “hollowed out”.
“My key question would be that while we have an assurance that staff opening hours will not change, what evidence is there that maintaining hours alone is a sufficient measure of service quality, and how will the county council assess if users are receiving the same level of support after any potential restructuring?”
She added she had only been alerted to the consultation by a constituent who used their local library.
Councillor Jess Bailey (Independent, Otter Valley) said people value their local libraires and the staff that make them work, something that came out loud and clear in the consultation the county council ran earlier this year.
“But there is now a [proposed] Devon-wide restructuring with the key role of library supervisor set to be removed,” she said.
“I find this concerning as we listened to what communities told us; people wanted opening hours protected but our consultation told us more than that, it told us why people value their libraries.
“Supervisors know their communities, volunteers, and know the people who use libraries and build relationships and understand what their communities need.
“Supervisors are absolutely key for making libraries the brilliant, welcoming and vibrant places they are.”
The corporate infrastructure and regulatory services committee, which heard the debate about the consultation, agreed to add the issue to its work programme, meaning it will begin work to assess the issue and then debate it more fully at a future meeting.
Separately from the meeting, the union, Unison said it was representing library staff, and that it had reps and branch officers who were supporting members employed by Libraries Unlimited during this “difficult time”.
“Unison expects to receive the outcome of the consultation in around two weeks’ time and will be discussing the decisions with our members at that time,” a spokesperson added.
Libraries Unlimited has previously said: “This is an internal staff consultation and therefore whilst the consultation is ongoing it would be inappropriate for us to comment further.
“We can confirm that staffed opening hours will be unaffected. There is no involvement from Devon County Council.”
Go-ahead for new Dryden Road layout
Priority parking schemes for Exeter streets
Call for support as rising costs create £1.1 million deficit for Devon Air Ambulance
Councils need certainty on infrastructure before growth, East Devon Leader tells Prime Minister
East Devon Leads the Way on Nature Recovery
Devon & Cornwall Police focus on anti-social behaviour
Thirteen jailed after police take down huge criminal network that flooded Devon with drugs
Devon & Cornwall Police Introduces Taser 10
New report highlights progress in strengthening Devon’s fostering services
Campaigners hail victory in battle against proposed BESS in East Devon
Out There’s Young Person’s Day library event returns but with changes
New website launched for victims and survivors of child sexual abuse and exploitation
Chance to visit inspiring energy-saving homes this weekend
St Thomas Splash Pad to close for winter as Heavitree improvements progress
Local Education Leaders Join Forces to Improve Secondary School Experience
Live Longer Better Expands Across Devon
