Dorset Council's draft library strategy, which could see Dorchester Library's opening hours slightly decreased, will be reviewed by Cabinet for approval next week.

The council says the new strategy aims to protect and enhance the council's library service, with a fresh approach to delivering services and no proposed branch closures.

It follows a two-phase public consultation exercise. The first phase of consultation sought the views of library users and non-users, partners, businesses and employees to understand how the service could better meet the needs of residents now and in the future, with 7,500 responses.

In September 2022 a further 13-week consultation was launched, seeking the views of library users and non-users, partners, businesses, children and employees across three surveys to feedback on the proposed new operating model, opening hours, as well as the mission to Inspire, Connect and Enable communities, and the vision of trusted community spaces for everyone, with services to inspire your future.

More than 4,800 responses were received and analysed. The survey responses, brought together with engagement workshops, evidence around local need and responses from partners have been used to amend the draft strategy and action plan.

Residents told the council that they wanted services to be as widely available as possible.

The council plans to restructure its 23 libraries into three tiers – Library, Library Plus or Library Connect.

The preferred model in Dorchester is to class the facility as a Library Connect, having been identified as having a relatively high level of community need.

A Library Connect has been described as "a library hub which delivers an enhanced core library offer including co-located partner services".

Opening hours across each type of library will be standardised, which could see Dorchester's opening hours reduced from 45 to 42.

All three types of library will be available in each part of Dorset. For example, libraries in the south and west of the county will be able share resources. Libraries in the east will make up another cluster, as will the mid and north part of Dorset.

Work will be completed with the council's equality, diversity and inclusion groups to improve the provision of accessible services. A review of library spaces will be carried out to ensure inclusion and access in the widest possible sense.

Cllr Laura Beddow, Dorset Council's portfolio holder for Culture and Communities, said: "This draft strategy has been developed using feedback from extensive public consultation, listening to the views of our residents and using data to shape the future of our library service.

"Throughout the whole process, residents have told us that libraries are at their heart of their communities, so this strategy is designed to protect and enhance them for the future with no proposed closures.

"The conversation doesn't end here. We will continue to work closely with communities and listen to their views on our proposals"

The draft library strategy will be presented to Cabinet for approval on Tuesday, July 25.

You can read the draft strategy and supporting documents here. For more information on the consultation, visit www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/lets-talk-libraries