Like many councils across the country, the Council is experiencing significant financial challenges due to an increase in demand and costs for services, particularly adult and children services.<\/p>\n
The Council must save \u00a344 million over the next three years. A decision was made in February 2025 for the library services to make a \u00a3433,000 saving – which is around 19.3% of the 2025-26 library service budget.<\/p>\n
Running from now until noon Friday 24 October, the Council is keen for everyone to take part in the consultation so they can gain feedback, ideas and suggestions on a range of proposed \u2018options for change\u2019. These include:<\/p>\n
For full detail on the consultation options, the analysis of their potential impacts and supporting information, please visit:\u00a0https:\/\/n-somerset.gov.uk\/libraries-consultation<\/a>.<\/p>\n Cllr Mike Solomon, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Open Spaces at North Somerset Council said: \u201cWe want everyone to have their say and complete the consultation, which is open from now until noon Friday 24 October. We know and recognise that our libraries are very much loved and at the heart of communities. That\u2019s why we are keen to ensure that North Somerset\u2019s future library service is fair, accessible and future proof whilst continuing to fulfil our statutory duty of providing a \u2018comprehensive and efficient\u2019 library service. It needs to meet the changing\u00a0needs of local communities whilst achieving our agreed \u00a3433K savings target.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cBy responding to the consultation, residents can inform the council of their needs and how best these needs can be met within the resources available.\u00a0Your feedback will help us to meet these duties whilst delivering services in new, sustainable ways so please complete the consultation online or request a paper copy by emailing libraries.review@n-somerset.gov.uk<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n Based on factors like current library usage and cost, the consultation outlines that up to three libraries could close if no alternative way to deliver services in those areas can be found.\u00a0<\/strong>The library buildings at risk are Winscombe, Pill and Worle.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Council will explore whether local communities are interested in running these three libraries, whether services could be delivered differently such as through the mobile library, community outreach, or the Home Delivery Service as well as promoting alternative libraries nearby and digital library services and other ideas to keep library services going in these three areas.<\/p>\n Any community organisation or group who would like to explore running or supporting one of the three potentially at risk libraries, please contact the council directly at\u00a0Libraries.Review@n-somerset.gov.uk<\/a> . They welcome enquiries and can help groups understand what\u2019s involved.\u00a0<\/p>\n No final decisions have been made, and the Council wants to hear from communities and individuals who may be affected. \u00a0For anyone wanting more information, a number of public drop-in events will be taking place. Please check out https:\/\/n-somerset.gov.uk\/library-consultation<\/a> for further details.<\/p>\n There are several Children\u2019s Centres that share buildings with libraries. During the public consultation about the future of libraries, children\u2019s services will join libraries staff at Worle and Pill to talk to residents about these shared sites.\u00a0<\/p>\n After the consultation closes on 24 October, all feedback will be reviewed and considered. Final recommendations will be presented to Cabinet and Full Council in February 2026. A summary of consultation findings will be published on the Council\u2019s website.<\/p>\n Please read the library service consultation supporting information and then complete the consultation online at\u00a0https:\/\/n-somerset.gov.uk\/libraries-consultation<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n