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Community News

Alternative solution to Swindon Borough Council library plan proposed by staff
and campaign group
The campaign group Save The alternative proposals include
Swindon’s Libraries has backed an a revision to the council proposal
alternative staff proposal to combat for four core libraries to five, that
the challenges faced by Swindon would include Park Library, and to
Borough Council concerning their not reduce working hours of any
libraries budget. core library lower than 27 hours
A statement from the group a week. To see the full alternative
says: “Swindon Libraries have proposal, visit swindonlink.com.
a long history of supporting Petitions to save libraries in
residents and improving life areas across Swindon have been
chances and opportunities. They created, including the Save Park
play an essential role in the social, Library petition, which call upon
educational and cultural value the council to amend their proposal
of our communities: for families, only to continue funding to four of
children and young people; for Swindon’s 15 libraries after June Save Swindon’s Libraries who are backing the alternative staff proposals
students, job-seekers, older people, 2017. This amendment, if adopted,
and community groups. would see Park Library added to residents and campaigners to find who is also concerned for the
“This proposal acknowledges the core provision to secure the a solution to maintain Park Library future of Park Library.”
the Library Strategy presented future of a service in the south of in its present location on Cavendish A Swindon Borough Council
to council, July 2016. We also Swindon. Square. spokesman said: “The submission
acknowledge the financial pressure A spokesperson for Save Swindon “The overwhelming response from from library staff was received
facing the council, the reduction in Libraries said: “The annual cost of library users is that Park Library during the current consultation
the central government grant, and running Park Library on its current brings footfall to businesses and process and will be considered
the increasing demands for adult hours is just under £90,000, an is a community focal point for along with all other consultation
social care and children’s services. enormous target for community residents from Park North and responses.
“However, Swindon Libraries groups in the area to reach. The South and beyond. “The council has always been
are well placed to reinforce proposal that a local group or a “A comprehensive and efficient open to looking at alternative
the council’s vison and pledges newly-formed parish council could library service must include a models and will assess the staff
including supporting education, take this on is unrealistic. council-run library in the south of submission, and all others that
generating economic growth, “Talks have been held between Swindon. Save Swindon’s Libraries are received, in detail once the
and enabling self-sufficient the Libraries team at Swindon met with the MP for Swindon consultation period has ended on
communities.” Borough Council, local councillors, South, Robert Buckland QC MP, 30 September.”

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