Library services under major review

Oldham Cabinet meeting

Major changes for Oldham’s libraries could be on the way after a review of all library services is carried out.

The review, agreed last night, will look at organisation and funding, location and buildings, staffing, commercial activities and partnerships, and digital services.

There has already been major investment in libraries in Oldham, Lees and Chadderton, which could be followed by different partnership working in other areas.

Cabinet members heard that the council’s improvement plans that could impact on libraries include changes to customer contact, leisure services, regeneration, major school building programmes, and joint working with health.

And a report describes how the review will see if the council can maximise benefits from any other developments in the borough.

A steering group has been set up to oversee the six month review, and a project team has also been created with officers from the library service, neighbourhood services, customer contact, leisure services, community centres, lifelong learning and schools.

The review led to Labour’s opposition leader, Councillor Jim McMahon, dropping his party’s proposals to close Greenfield library, and cut the budget at Crompton library.

Councillor McMahon claimed the review will reveal serious faults in the quality of service.

He pointed out that some areas are over-served while others go without access to a library.

He said: “We suggested that Greenfield Library should be closed because its usage is so low and the cost per visitor is too high given that Uppermill Library is only 1.2 miles away.

“Looking at library provision across the borough, it is clear that the council has failed in its legal obligation to provide a library service within a two mile reach of all residents.

“It’s decision to close Stoneleigh Library has left Moorside and Sholver almost four miles distant from a library facility.

“The report will no doubt also highlight the Liberals’ disastrous decision to scrap the mobile library as being a backward step.”