You will remember that the proposal to make Marsden a community-managed Library was dropped after the Library Service listened to community feedback. Now the Library Service will need to begin a new period of consultation and we understand that this will focus on opening hours and paid staff hours as a means of cutting expenditure.
The Library Service is in the process of appointing an external, independent consultant to run the consultation and they will let us all know in the New Year who that is and what the next steps will be.
Here at Friends of Marsden Library we will fight to for as many paid staff hours as we can get, and we’ll need your support, so please look out for and take part in the consultation when it does launch.
As a reminder, here are the significant contributions Marsden has already made to making budget savings. We believe Marsden should not see further reductions in paid staffed opening hours:
- The opening hours have already been reduced from 30 hours per week to 20 hours per week
- The Library does not pay rent or service charge for the use of the space in the Mechanics: as the Mechanics is owned by the Marsden community, that means we are already subsidising it.
- The community provides volunteers to match paid staff hours.
- Friends of Marsden Library raises awareness of the Library Service, and funds to support activities that add value.
What Can You Do?
Take part in the consultation and help us make the case to retain our staffed hours in Marsden Library, and continue to express your views to your Ward Councillor and our MP.
Carry on Using Marsden Library!
