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The county councillor responsible for the consultation on the future of Suffolk’s libraries has today called on more people, groups and organisations to come forward with their ideas.

There will be special consultation meeting in Haverhill Library in two weeks' time.

Cllr Judy Terry, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet lead for the consultation, welcomed the response from over 1,300 people and groups across the county so far, but she said she wanted to receive even more input.

The consultation, which runs until April 30, was launched as part of the council's efforts to save £125m over the next four years.

The aim is to find new and innovative ways of running Suffolk's libraries so that they do not have to simply close to contribute to the savings - as some other county councils are having to do.

Innovative ideas already received include:
· A group of town and parish councils looking at ways of coming together to create a community hub. Their local library may fit into this new arrangement and benefit from much closer local working;
· A local school looking to take on their library whilst a local pub wants boost public internet access by creating an internet café;
· A parish council considering running its local library and incorporating more services into the building, which is a more cost effective way of delivering a range of services;
· A community interest company keen to include a local library within a group of services they would manage. They are confident that this arrangement would deliver better services and savings;
· Working with neighbouring parishes and libraries to take a collective approach to running a library.

To help local people share their views, the council is launching a series of one-to-one meetings at 16 libraries across Suffolk.

The Haverhill Library meeting has been set for Wednesday, March 23, 10.30am to 12noon.

The meetings are aimed at individuals or groups who have not yet taken part in any of the council’s workshops or local parish, town or district council meetings.

They are an opportunity for people to discuss their views on any of the council’s 44 libraries – not just their local one - and ask senior library managers questions in person.

Cllr Terry said: “Suffolk County Council is not trying to close libraries. What we do have to do is save at least 30 per cent of our libraries budget. We’re therefore trying to find a way of securing the future of Suffolk’s libraries so that we don’t have to close them.

“The days of county councils running public services as they always have are on the way out. We’re looking for new and creative ways of running Suffolk’s libraries, which nowadays serve a much broader function than they used to, and we need the help of Suffolk people.

"I’m urging everyone and anyone to let us know if you think there is a way to run your local library in a different and more cost-effective way.

“I want people to know that this is about securing the future of our libraries. We’re just looking for the right way to do it.”

Shona Bendix, chief executive of Suffolk Association of Local Councils, said: “It is important that every solution is explored for ensuring a library service matching community wishes exists into the future.

"Because town and parish councils are accountable bodies embedded within communities, they are well-placed to support intelligent delivery of services to the community and will be concerned about potential loss of services valued by residents.

“We have been working with Suffolk County Council and town and parish councils, including through holding specialist technical events on taking on services divested or stopped by the county council.

"In the context of the county council’s continuing New Strategic Direction, it is essential that we look at all the options for sustainable and worthwhile service solutions.”

Haverhill Town Council has already expressed to the county council its interest in looking at ways of it running Haverhill Library, which is not one of those threatened with closure so far.