By Joshua Robinson – 

Councillors on Tuesday 10th September have approved updated proposals for Kirklees Libraries as the council continues to re-shape the service for the future.

A new, delivery model was presented to the cabinet where all libraries will remain as part of the statutory network but, potentially, with reduced staffing instead of no staff at all. Any community that wishes to continue talks to transfer to a community-managed operating model would still be supported to do so.

A consultation process in the autumn will look at targeted reductions in paid staffing levels across all 24 libraries to meet the savings required for the 2025/26 budget. The outcome of the consultation will return to the cabinet for final approval in 2025.

Original proposals approved back in February 2024 gave the green light to explore the possibility of transferring some libraries into a community-managed model or arrangement. Community Managed Libraries would no longer be part of the statutory library network in Kirklees and would also see reduced staff, or no staff support from the council.

Kirklees Libraries currently operates from 24 locations in buildings that are stand-alone libraries or buildings where they are co-located with other services such as Children’s Centres or a Post Office. Some libraries are in buildings that are owned by other organisations, often because of a community asset transfer. A range of volunteers, ‘Friends of’ and community groups support the running of libraries across Kirklees.

Councillor Amanda Pinnock, Cabinet Member for Education and Communities said to Kirklees Together: “We have a brilliant library service that goes above and beyond to support our communities in Kirklees.”

“I want to thank everyone who has already engaged with us about the future of our libraries. Whilst we have taken into consideration feedback from community stakeholders on our original proposals, we still have difficult decisions to make due to the tough financial circumstances that all councils are facing.”

“It’s clear that communities and local organisations want to retain a level of council support for their library and our plans will make sure that happens. We will continue to engage with residents, local groups and volunteers and I hope people will take part in our upcoming consultation in the autumn.”

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