Library services review enters its next phase

Naj Modak
BBC News
North East Lincolnshire Council A library room with four freestanding shelves full off books in the middle. More shelves full of books are round the perimeter of the room. There is a light brown carpet. There are three red posters on the wall with the word "books" written on two of them. The third has a quote on it, which is not legible because of the distance. There is a window or door in the distance behind the shelves.North East Lincolnshire Council
In Waltham, the option of a community library model is being explored

A review of libraries in North East Lincolnshire has entered its next stage.

It follows a survey last year that asked people how they used library and archive services, and what they wanted to see in future.

The consultation covers four of the five libraries in the borough, in Grimsby, Cleethorpes and Waltham.

Hayden Dawkins, North East Lincolnshire Council's portfolio holder for culture and heritage, said bringing services together into community hubs had worked well in other parts of the country.

North East Lincolnshire Council A one-storey brick building with three windows at ground level and a fourth window on the roof. There is a round window with a painting in it instead of  glass.North East Lincolnshire Council
Services at Cleethorpes library are part of the consultation

The survey found that library and archive services were important for many people, including home and online access as well as more traditional services, such as borrowing books.

The council said the review was launched because there had been a decline in library visits since the pandemic of more than 40%.

It added that there were economic and social advantages of bringing services together under one roof.

The closing date for the 12-week consultation is Wednesday, 9 July.

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