Following the funding extension announced at the end of June to the five libraries due for closure and the withdrawal of the planned injunction, this in from the council, in their own words. Ed
Community groups looking to take on the running of five Isle of Wight libraries are to be given more time to finalise their plans.
In a delegated decision report (published Friday 22) it is proposed that groups looking to provide library provision in Bembridge, Brighstone, East Cowes, Niton and Shanklin are given until the end of September to finalise arrangements. The report states that, subect to the successful resolution of outstanding issues, some libraries could be up and running before then however.
Community libraries to complement Council libraries
That outcome would mean that as a result of the council’s decision in March to reorganise its library provision, no community would lose a library. The community libraries would complement those that the council continues to run in Cowes Freshwater, Newport, Ryde, Sandown and Ventnor with an enhanced mobile service providing further support.
Cllr Barry Abraham, the council cabinet member responsible for libraries, said: “The council has been very encouraged by the enthusiasm and determination of community groups to get involved in the running of their local services.
“There is still an amount of work to be done but this decision is about giving these groups all the assistance we can to help them succeed.”
The delegated decision is embedded below for your convenience. Ed
Libraries Extension Delegated Decision
Image: CCAC North Library under CC BY 2.0
