What this consultation is about
Background
Staveley library asset is a prominent building however, it currently does not meet either our or the library service vision for the town centre’s high street.
Town deal and renewal opportunities
Derbyshire has 3 Town Deal programmes - each receiving approximately £25 million to deliver capital-based, town centre renewal projects. The 3 Town Deal areas are Staveley, Clay Cross and Long Eaton and we've been working with the relevant district and borough authorities to prepare projects suitable of meeting the grant funding criteria and our own ambitions and priorities.
This consultation sets out the opportunities for the existing Staveley library as part of wider proposals to create new or refurbished premises maintained at the current service level into which the respective library could relocate, if agreed.
Staveley Library is currently situated on Hall Lane and although it has good access and parking, it is situated away from the town centre. The total floor space is 305 square metres, (150 square metres public space and non-public area 155 square metres). The library is open for 30 hours per week between Monday and Saturday and employs 4 staff in total, all on a part-time basis. The library offers access to books and resources, via self-service if preferred, a community space for events and activities run either by the library service or by partners and access to 4 public use computers with the ability to print. Help with digital skills can be provided on request. Staveley library currently has 1,219 registered users.
We own the freehold of the library so should it be decided to relocate the library, the building could be sold.
The proposal is to relocate the library into the proposed new Pavilion building on the Market Place, which is to be developed by Chesterfield Borough Council as part of the Staveley Towns Deal Masterplan. We would take a lease of the space required for the new library from the borough council on terms to be agreed.
We believe that all libraries provide an important service to residents and community groups, and therefore have specified that if the library was to be relocated:
- the library floor space will remain equal to or similar to the current library space
- the library service will remain accessible to all
- the library service will not be reduced
There are 3 key parts to the proposals:
- part 1 - proposal to relocate the library
- part 2 - using buildings more effectively, making the best use of space and identifying opportunities to link up with key partners
- part 3 - Increasing membership, participation, and engagement in the library service
Our aim is to provide a new library facility, offering services that add value to residents in the local community. This consultation enables you to tell us your thoughts about each of the 3 main areas of the proposals.