Libraries to become independent of Herts County Council?

Libraries across Herts could be made independent under an overhaul being considered by council bosses.

A six-week public  consultation is covering five possible options for  changing how the county’s libraries are run.

One possibility is to keep them ‘in-house’ and run by Herts County Council – but chiefs warn that ongoing budget cuts are likely to mean service reductions.

Alternatively they could be run by a ‘local authority trading company’, meaning  they are still owned by  County Hall but with “added freedom to pursue commercial opportunities”.

Other options include a ‘public service mutual’ run by either the council, the community or staff, which is seen as the “most flexible” option.

Option 4 is to outsource the libraries altogether, but this has the risk of poor  performance and that  income would not be  reinvested into services.

Or the council could  enter a joint venture with a third party.

The consultation runs until February 18.

To take part visit www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/libraryconsultation