Reading Borough Council has published a proposal to cut the cost of its library service as part of its greater budget cuts for the next year. Proposals are as follows:
- All libraries, including Reading Central & Caversham Libraries – reduce opening times
- Battle Library in West Reading – make it into a community hub
- Southcote Library – relocate into an extended Southcote Community Centre turning it into a community hub
- Whitley Library – move to South Reading Youth and Community Centre to create a community hub
- Tilehurst Library – explore ways to make it a community hub
- Palmer Park in East Reading – explore ways to either share the building or provide a smaller neighbourhood library service in another building in East Reading.
A series of drop-in sessions to discuss community hub plans relating to Battle, Southcote and Whitley Libraries have also been arranged for local communities as follows:
- Tuesday 29 March, 4pm-7pm: South Reading Youth and Community Centre
- Tuesday 5 April, 4pm-7pm: Battle Library
The proposals are expected to save around half of the required £600,000 cuts in funding for the library service in Reading. Details and the online consultation form at www.reading.gov.uk/libraryreview