National recognition for Staffordshire libraries' work with communities

Hayley Coles, pictured, is delighted Staffordshire's library service has been recognised for its work with communities by Arts Council England.

Staffordshire’s library service has been named as one of the best in the country for working with its communities.

Just as the Staffordshire County Council is inviting residents to help shape the future of its 43 libraries, Arts Council England has included the authority’s library service in a national guide to best practise in working with the local community.

Selection criteria include how services evolve to support local and national priorities, use data and community feedback to meet local needs, and develop staff and volunteers.

Hayley Coles, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture, said:

I’m delighted our library service should receive national recognition for how well it works with residents.

Staffordshire’s combination of 27 community managed libraries and 16 run directly by the county council has been a great success in recent years, with libraries evolving into community hubs, and this Arts Council England recognition is proof of that.

We’re proud of all our service’s achievements, and the innovation shown by our community partners.

Now we want to see how we can go further—making libraries places where people come not just to read, but to meet, learn, create, and grow.”

The Arts Council England Libraries Development Framework recognises a library service's commitment to ongoing development, ensuring alignment with local and national policies, continuous innovation, and demonstration of best practice.

The current consultation runs until 5 January and also includes feedback on the mobile library service.

You can find out more and take part by:

• Filling in an online survey at the ‘Let’s Talk community hub libraries’ webpage at https://bit.ly/LetsTalkCommunityHubLibraries;
• Filling in a paper copy at any Staffordshire library.