Third of Essex libraries could close under council plans

More than a third of Essex’s 74 libraries have been earmarked for closure by the county council, which cited a “collapse” in library usage over the last decade as it launched a major consultation into its proposals.

The council has announced plans to close 25 libraries as it seeks to realise its vision of a service “available online 24-7 to fit with people’s lives in Essex”. In its proposals, which were revealed on Thursday, Essex county council says the closures are proposed “on the basis that because of relatively low demand, the availability of other services and considering the community served, a library service is not required in these locations”.

The planned closures range from Chigwell and North Weald in Epping Forest district, to Hatfield Peverel and Danbury. They are expected to affect 11% of active library users, while reducing Essex’s spending on library services by 11%.

A further 19 branches could be run by the community “or other partners” with support from the council; the 19 libraries are, the council writes in Essex Future Library Services Strategy, “in locations where the council considers that it is not necessary to provide library services in order to meet its statutory duty but where it nonetheless believes there would be benefit in providing library services if suitable arrangements could be made with the community”. The remaining 30 branches are set to stay open, although some with reduced hours.

“Traditional library use in Essex has collapsed in the last 10 years. There are 31% fewer people using Essex libraries now than there were in 2008 – over 100,000 less users – and loans of books and other items are down by 52%. At the same time, use of the e-library service, including e-book loans and online reservations, has more than doubled since 2013,” said the council, announcing the consultation.

“Essex has the second-highest number of libraries in the UK and is in the top five counties nationally for spending on libraries – but with increasing costs and declining usage, especially at some smaller libraries, the service is no longer viable in its current form.”

According to the most recent official figures, more than 100 libraries were closed in the UK in 2017.

Essex’s proposals will be considered by the council’s cabinet next week, with the consultation with Essex residents to run from 29 November until 20 February. The cabinet will then adopt a final strategy, in the light of responses, next summer.

“We want to create a library service with a wider appeal, which is more relevant to and a better fit with people’s lives – one which is online 24-7, is faster, and offers users more choice,” said councillor Susan Barker.