Eight of Swindon's libraries could be saved from closure if trust's bid is successful

An Expression of Interest has been submitted by Swindon's only Community Library Trust to take over up to eight of Swindon's community Libraries. 

The Community Library Trust bid involves Covingham Library and Liden Library being taken over with a five year plan, and six other community libraries - Stratton, Even Swindon, Moredon, Old Town, Penhill, Pinetrees - from 1 September if there are parish councils willing to help fund them, and volunteers or community groups able to support them.

In addition to the Library Trust, it is anticipated two parish councils and two shadow parish councils will submit their own Expressions of Interest for running individual Libraries. Any community group wishing to take over a Community Library had to have submitted an expression of interest by 31 January to be considered.

The Community Library Trust is the only known group in Swindon who has submitted an expression of interest to manage the remaining eight community libraries that are at risk of closure after Swindon Borough Council cut the library budget by over £1 million in December.

Following submission, there is now a two month period where the Library Trust can work with Parish Councils, Shadow Parish Councils and community groups to act as an umbrella to bring everyone together into a true One Swindon partnership. Final bids, supported by a business case, must be submitted by 31 March 2017 with a decision by 30 April.

Dale Heenan, who is also the Conservative councillor for Covingham and Dorcan, is heading the trust. He said: "Months of hard work mean that we are confident plans for Covingham Library and Liden Library are realistic and achievable with lower running costs, and professional Library staff. Swindon Borough Council just needs to have the will to say yes and fully support our efforts.

"The Library Trust is independent, non-political, and willing to collaborate with anyone to ensure Swindon's Community Libraries are saved from closure. On day one, the ideas the Trust has can make savings of more than £17,000 for Liden Library and £5,000 at Covingham Library, but these same ideas can be applied to other libraries such as Upper Stratton Library at £12,000, or Penhill at £5,400  These are all easy savings which Swindon Borough Council and the Parishes cannot implement by themselves. 

"This approach will only be successful if Parish Councils, community groups and all of the political parties work together. If not, then libraries will close or we may easily find five different groups all trying to do the same thing"

Any group, business or individual who wishes to assist the Community Library Trust in keeping libraries open should contact Dale Heenan at [email protected] 

The vision of the Community Library Trust is:

• Achieve a self-sufficient independent community library service which continues the provision of good quality books and periodicals for loan and reference in a comfortable, welcoming and easily accessible local setting for members of the community, especially children and their parents, older people who live close to the library.
• Promote and encourage literacy and reading for pleasure through reading groups, storytimes and book related events
• Provide access to the internet for those in the local community who have no home access or need assistance with the technology