Minutes:
Question
It has been interesting to read the document on library enhancement and relocations as it states clearly the libraries added value.
The recent consultation about Wokingham Library (ended 29th August) states that "the new library will have everything that the current library in Denmark Street has" but doesn't specifically mention how those libraries added things will be delivered. As an example how to counteract social isolation and poor mental health by coffee mornings etc, without a cafe and comfortable seating.
Recognising that the new library is due to open next August will this list of library added value be looked at to see how they can be provided?
Answer
The relocation of Wokingham Library, as with the relocation of Twyford Library and the new micro library within the new Shinfield Community Centre, have the central objective of improving services for our residents. These improvements are both within the core statutory elements of the library service, and the additional value provided through the wide range of events and activities provided by the library service.
The relocation of Wokingham library does not restrict or diminish the ability of the library service to provide added value to our residents. The new library has more usable space that is also more flexible and adaptable so that it can respond more easily to the changing demands of a modern library service. This is the central reason behind the recent engagement survey for Wokingham Library so that residents and local community groups have a direct opportunity to communicate their ambitions for using the library.
In response to the specific question about a café, the new Carnival Hub includes space for a café for all visitors to use that is larger than the one currently available within Wokingham Library.
Supplementary Question
I do find it a bit disappointing because clearly the detail of the new library has not really been defined in any clarity. And clearly, what one would want to feel comfortable about is that everything that the existing library does is going to continue to be. I hear mention of efficiency, and we have this list on your agenda and more things as well, that is page 55 and 56. What I would want is to be confident, and I am not, that these things are actually going to be provided in the way that they currently are provided. I agree that yes there might be a café, but is it going to be a café that will suit casual visitors to satisfy the point that I raised I raised earlier on, let alone all of the other things. I do think that it needs to be looked at again.
Supplementary Answer
I think that what you are referring to, and the detail of the offer of the existing offer, is actually what we are going to be talking about later tonight. We are looking at what will happen in the future with our library service, because a library and the library service is much more than what we traditionally see as a library in regards to books, facilities etcetera, there is much more that it can offer Wokingham from that point of view. So, it is a case of what is being offered now we need to basically try and mirror and basically enhance it going forward. That is the purpose of a lot of documentation in the agenda tonight and how we are going forward, but this is only the first stage as it needs to go forward. Bill, am I incorrect in that assumption?
Yes you are correct. The whole point is here that the new facility in the Carnival phase two offers a greater area to start with. At the moment we have 133m2 in the library (café) and this will be increased to 285m2, so a considerably larger area is given to the library than currently available. And with that, I can say that the current services offered by the library will be transferred over to the new library and I hope that there will be additional services as well. I can’t say for sure but that is what I would hope to see given that there is more space.