#LetsTalkLibraries consultation
Shaped by responses received in the first phase of public consultation, we have developed a new draft Dorset Council Library Strategy, with the mission: To Inspire, Connect and Enable our communities through our services.
In the second phase of public consultation, we called upon residents, businesses, employees, partners and stakeholders to help us prioritise and explore what delivery could look like in our communities.
This survey closed on 22 December, thank you for your views.
What happens next
The following table sets out a timeline of stages for the adoption of the new Dorset Council Library Strategy. We are now in stage six.
Stage one | 25 October 2021 | Consultation | Phase one of public consultation opens |
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Stage two | 7 January 2022 | Consultation | Phase one of public consultation closes |
Stage three | Spring 2022 | Development | Development of draft strategy following phase one consultation |
Stage four | Spring 2022 | Review | Draft library strategy refinement |
Stage five | Autumn 2022 | Consultation | Phase two of public consultation opens, seeking views on draft |
Stage six | Winter 2022 | Consultation | Phase two of public consultation closes |
Stage seven | Winter 2022 | Development | Amending the draft strategy following phase two consultation responses |
Stage eight | Summer 2023 | Sign off | Final library strategy presented to Cabinet for sign off |
Stage nine | Summer 2023 onwards | Implementation | New library strategy implemented |
Keeping up to date
You can keep up to date on the progress of this consultation by:
- visiting this web page
- signing up to our resident’ e-news letter
- signing up to the Dorset Libraries e-news letter
- following Dorset Libraries on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
- following Dorset Council on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram
- reading our news releases and watching our videos
Why we are updating our library strategy
Libraries are at the heart of Dorset’s communities, and we want them to stay that way. They provide highly valued services, including:
• book lending
• activities and events
• reading groups
• skills and learning
• health and wellbeing
• information provision
• digital access and support
• art and cultural exhibitions
The current library strategy is 11 years old. Over those 11 years, there have been significant changes in public behaviour and digital technology, and the impacts of the Coronavirus pandemic have been felt.
The updated strategy will look to the future of Dorset’s libraries and how can they best meet the needs of residents and communities, now and over ten years.
The first phase of public consultation allowed us to understand the views of Dorset’s residents towards the library service. Phase one Let’s Talk Libraries took place in October 2021- January 2022 and was an open conversation with our communities, employees and partners to understand what they value about our service, how we could develop our services, and how we can become relevant to non-library users. The consultation (which included targeted workshops) allowed us to better understand the issues raised and challenges faced by different groups within our communities.
The workshop and survey responses coupled with data and discussions with equality, diversity and inclusion partners allowed us to carry out a detailed Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA) to help inform a new library strategy.
Responses received during this second phase of consultation will allow us to further refine our EqIA, its action plan and the library strategy.
Let's talk libraries
Name: Library Service TeamEmail: letstalklibraries@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Full contact details