Warwickshire Libraries are celebrating National Library Day this Saturday with several offers aimed at thanking customers for their continued support and reminding people what is available online in the buildings.

Library users – whether they be new or old – are encouraged to go to their local library and see the services on offer from book loans and homework clubs to advice on starting a business.

And as a thankyou to go along, library members will be entitled to
·    a free DVD loan,
·    a free Warwickshire Libraries reading bug for every child and
·    will be shown how to sign up for up to 3 ebooks  available on PCs, iPhones, iPads or e-reader with library membership.

In Rugby Library, Kumon Maths and English study sessions will be launched for children.

Cllr Colin Hayfield, portfolio holder at Warwickshire County Council for customers, access and physical assets, said:  “Libraries are a much-valued resource and up and down the country, people are taking this opportunity to celebrate how much their local library means to them.

“We hope that people across the county will take this opportunity to get involved with a library and celebrate with us.”

Details of events at libraries across Warwickshire can be found at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/libraries

Cllr Colin Hayfield on a year in libraries.

Over the last 12 months, Cllr Colin Hayfield has been the portfolio holder at the sharp end of what has been one of the county council’s most emotive episodes in recent years – the transformation of Warwickshire libraries.  Here, he tells us what the last year has shown him and how he has faith that libraries in Warwickshire have a future in a fast-changing world.

“Being portfolio holder for libraries over the last year has never been anything less than interesting.  When the scale of the savings that we had to make became clear, a library service in which 16 out of 34 libraries accounted for only 10% of the visits and book issues clearly had to be transformed to make it more efficient.

“Announcing the changes that would need to be made to reach a savings target of £2million was painful and not what anybody enters politics for.  I know how much residents value a library service.

“And while there was a lot of passion in the debates that ensued following the announcement, much of the passion was directed in a very positive manner.  Thousands of residents attended consultation meetings, roadshows and  seminars, many more responded to surveys and an online questionnaire.

“In a very short space of time, groups had sprung up across the county that were putting together very serious business cases for running their libraries after the council had closed them.

“We have not simply left these groups to go their own way.  As well as capital funds to buy equipment or make building modifications to enable them to get started, the county council has devoted a huge amount of support from staff as it seeks to make sure that community libraries have a good chance of success.

“We have consulted extensively with customers and this has shaped the support we have given and will continue to give.  We will continue to provide stock and training.  Staff at our biggest libraries will be available to give advice whenever it is needed.

“I am happy to say that this process is now showing signs of bearing fruit.  Kineton Community Library has opened and early signs are good with very positive feedback from the group’s secretary.

“I hope that Kineton Community Library builds on this terrific start and continues to flourish.  I hope all the community libraries have similar success stories such as the Bedworth Heath honesty library which opened this week.

“It is an oft-used word but I have been delighted with the attitude of so many people, staff and public alike, whose commitment has meant that we are able to provide a library service that is fit for purpose in the 21st century.  National Libraries Day is a chance to say how proud we are of them.”