Edinburgh Libraries are evolving in response to financial climate and customer feedback 

The City of Edinburgh Council is bucking the trend by pioneering a new direction for the city’s much-praised libraries service.

Innovative strategies are in place to ensure that despite ongoing universal financial constraints, the service can:
•	maintain its excellent standards
•	cater for customer needs
•	provide modern, fit-for-purpose facilities and
•	achieve best value during tough economic conditions

Budget proposals

•	Informed by budget engagement process to shape service according to customer priorities
•	Service prioritisation to achieve required £1.51m from overall libraries budget, eg: rationalise mobile library service   
•	Standardise opening hours to make cost savings and respond to customer demand, eg all libraries to open on Saturdays and remain open later during the week

Next generation of libraries

•	Libraries are becoming community hubs, offering a wide range of services and local information
•	New libraries are being combined with other services, such as at South Neighbourhood Office and Drumbrae Library and Community Hub
•	APSE Award-nominated 24/7 Virtual Library greatly improving access to libraries service across the city
•	Libraries change Lives award winner for Saughton Prison Library and runner up for the Reading champion project
•	Increased self service facilities freeing up library staff to assist customers

Councillor Deidre Brock, Culture and Leisure Convenor, said: "In these difficult economic times, it's crucial that our Libraries service makes the best possible use of its resources while continuing to provide an excellent service to all our members, which is why we are shaping the service to respond to customer feedback and to make it as fit for purpose as possible.
 
"Yesterday’s celebration in the South Neighbourhood Office, and construction work starting last month for the new multi-purpose Drumbrae Library and Community Hub, are important milestones in the libraries service's new 'direction of travel'. 
 
"Libraries in Edinburgh nowadays are becoming genuine community hubs, providing a huge range of services and opportunities for learning, leisure and local information to help people make the most of the amenities available to them in their neighbourhood. Combining library facilities with other Council services, as evidenced in Captains Road, Craigmillar and Drum Brae, makes sense. It helps the Council to achieve best value, and it's convenient and practical for members of the public to access a range of different services under one roof.
 
"Although there are uncertain times ahead for all local authorities, we'll be doing everything we can to ensure the people of Edinburgh continue to enjoy an excellent Libraries service."

Further information
Liz McGettigan