News

Do YOU want a library in Allestree?
Derby City Council have plans to save money by limiting the library provision in the City.
4 options have been proposed:
A. Keep open Alvaston, Local Studies, Pear Tree and Riverside (Central Library moved to the Council House) and close the rest – this would satisfy the Council's statutory obligation.
B. As A. plus any other existing Libraries that become Community Managed Libraries (CML);
Note – the CMLs would not be part of the statutory obligation but would receive an average annual support subsidy of £17,500; if the Council's Deprivation Indices are applied Allestree would most likely receive considerably less than £17,500!
              THIS IS THE COUNCIL'S FAVOURED OPTION
C. As A. plus the existing Libraries at Allenton, Chaddesden, Mackworth, Mickleover, Sinfin and Spondon  - this would satisfy the Council's statutory obligation. Allestree would close even though it has a higher visitor count and borrowing level than any of the six listed .
D. As A. plus the existing Libraries at Allenton, Mackworth, Sinfin and Spondon which would then satisfy the statutory obligation; other Libraries including Allestree could become CMLs but with a reduced subsidy on average of £10,000 p.a. with the caveat stated in B with regard to Deprivation Indices.
How these alternatives were decided is on the Council's web site "Libraries for the Future"
but you can put forward alternatives such as
E. Keep open Riverside and Local Studies + Alvaston, Allestree, Mickleover and Chaddesden
representing the Centre, North, South, West and East library locations
You have until 12 December 2016 to express your views by completing the Consultation Document available from libraries or on line at www.enventure.co.uk/derby-libraries
The final decision on what will happen to the libraries will be made next March.
We therefore urgently need:
People who are interested in saving Allestree Library to sign up  – if we could get 500+ names to submit on 12th December it would show the depth of support from those in Allestree and  Darley Abbey who want to see their local Library retained by whatever means. This is in addition to any response you make with the Consultation Document.
            It would not be a petition, for petitions do not get far with the City Council!
Bear in mind that Allestree Library is much more than a book lending service for with its wi-fi and facilities for all ages it is a centre for the community.
This list of names would also provide a data base of those who might be prepared to help develop the Council's decision in March.
The Allestree Councillors at an Open Meeting on 19 October asked me, Peter Steer, to co-ordinate the programme to Save  Allestree Library (SAL). Would you please either
             a) email me at steerderbyal@gmail.com  or
             b) telephone me on 07442 499 597 
indicating your interest in participating in the future of the Allestree Library..