Overview and vision – Library Services Strategy 2024 to 2029 consultation
Consultation closes: 23 June 2024
Consultation opened: 29 April 2024
The new Library Services Strategy outlines the direction of the library service for the next 5 years and sets out key priorities and objectives to ensure libraries continue to be at the centre of our growing communities.
Libraries are at the centre of communities, open to all, and offering support for literacy and learning, a quiet place to work or study, advice, information and signposting to other services and high-quality events and activities. Libraries are an important gateway to other services. By working in partnership, libraries can deliver a wide range of outcomes for education, employability, health and wellbeing and play a key role in reducing social isolation.
We have adopted a new approach with this Library Services Strategy by setting out priorities for both service improvement and capital investment. It provides information on provision, needs, and priorities within Central Bedfordshire and seeks to provide the rationale and formula to help us secure investment in facilities via Section 106 (planning) contributions.
Our vision
At the heart of the strategy is our vision for libraries:
Libraries are free, welcoming spaces available for everyone, at the heart of the community, offering a place to learn, connect, develop and collaborate.