Modernising the library service in Rochdale Borough

Plans to change the face of the library service in Rochdale borough are being put forward for consultation.

The proposals would see two of the Borough's 17 libraries facing closure - but would mean a higher quality service for the ones that remain.

At present Rochdale has one of the highest numbers of libraries per head of population in the North West - double the number of some similar-sized authorities who employ the same number of staff.

The plans to change the service are designed to ensure that public money is used more effectively. They would mean that the libraries that remain would be better resourced for the benefit of the wider community.

No jobs will be lost as a result of the proposed changes. Instead, if proposals are agreed, staff and finances will be redeployed to other sites to improve the quality of service on offer.

Lead Member for Libraries, Councillor Ted Flynn said: "These changes are not about saving money. They are about providing people in the Borough with a better quality service and making sure that public money is put to best use. No one should lose out because of these proposals. The mobile library could be rescheduled to cover areas where closures are planned to ensure that people would still have access to a library service. No staff will lose their jobs because of this."

The plans, which go out to consultation from November 13 onwards, propose that:

• Spotland library would be closed and the potential for rescheduling the mobile library service to this area would be explored.
• The possibility of Smallbridge Library being co-located with the new Hamer school would be explored. If this is not possible then the library would close and provision by the mobile service would be considered.
• Darnhill Library would be co-located with the local community centre at a location to be decided (as agreed in principle at Cabinet in February 2005).
• Balderstone Library would be co-located into Balderstone Technology School (as agreed in principle at Cabinet in February 2005).
• Wardle and Smithy Bridge Libraries to be retained, but this position to be reviewed after the joint service centre in Littleborough opens.
• Alkrington Library to be retained, but subject to review after the opening of the joint services centre in Middleton.

All of these plans are in line with the vision for libraries agreed by members in 2005, which includes:

• A main township library at the heart of each of the five township communities - Rochdale, Heywood, Middleton, Littleborough and Milnrow.
• A number of other static service points throughout the Borough based on the principle of joint service provision and developed through the co-location or re-location of the existing branch libraries to provide community information and learning opportunities.
• A retained and rescheduled mobile library service.

At present there are five main libraries in the borough - Rochdale, Heywood, Middleton, Littleborough and Milnrow. There are also 12 branch libraries - Alkrington, Balderstone, Belfield, Castleton, Darnhill, Junction, Langley, Norden, Smallbridge, Smithybridge, Spotland and Wardle.

Two of these (Belfield and the former Middleton Junction) have already been co-located and proposals have also been developed for Castleton, Langley and Norden.