After consultation with schools, library users and community groups, Patna, Drongan and Whatriggs libraries will be handed back to schools and community groups to manage. As of 31^stMarch 2023 Patna and Drongan have transferred. Whatriggs library transferred on 12^th June 2023.

With the majority of users of these libraries being school pupils, this will be of huge benefit to the schools, as reading spaces play a valuable role in supporting literacy levels both in school and at home. The libraries will house curated collections of resources to benefit pupils’ learning and development.

 We will be offering an enhanced library and digital service in these areas through the mobile library and digital bus, making sure we become more responsive to community needs. Discussions are underway to look at where and when these resources will be available to offer better community access to books and we will be removing barriers to make the library offer more accessible to the wider community.

 The digital bus will still offer assistance and access to PC’s to help with job searches as well as a wide range of other digital resources. The mobile library will continue to stock a range of genres while still offering a request service for customers. Library members will also continue to have access to a wide range of free ebooks, audio books and emagazines and newspapers through free apps which are available through the BorrowBox and Libby apps.

More details on the timetables for these services will be available soon.