Residents of North Somerset are being invited to share their views on the future of the district’s libraries as financial pressures threaten their continued operation.
In February, North Somerset Council announced plans to reduce its library budget by £433,000 to help balance its finances. This budget cut could lead to the closure of some of the district’s ten council-run libraries. However, council leaders emphasize that no final decisions have been made. A 12-week consultation is scheduled to begin in July, aiming to gather community feedback before any concrete plans are established.
Mike Solomon, the council’s cabinet member for culture, leisure, and open spaces, addressed the council cabinet on June 18, describing the issue as both “important” and “emotive.” He acknowledged the necessity of budget savings but stressed that no determinations have yet been reached regarding how these cuts will be implemented. “We know we have to make savings, but we haven’t made decisions on how we are going to make those savings, which is why we now want to move towards a consultation,” Solomon said.
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While no official statement confirmed closures during the meeting, council reports clearly indicate that library closures are under consideration. With two-thirds of the library budget dedicated to staffing costs, any reductions will likely translate to diminished services.
A council statement confirmed that the upcoming consultation will “explore how to provide strong services with fewer buildings.” Libraries remaining open might face reduced hours, while the use of self-service options could be expanded. The council is also considering partnerships with town and parish councils to transfer management of at-risk libraries to community groups, following the model of Congresbury Library, which has been community-managed since 2017.
North Somerset currently operates ten libraries and a mobile library service. The mobile library, soon to be refreshed with a new vehicle, visits 27 communities on a fortnightly cycle. Notably, library membership has surged by 50% since March 2022, with nearly 400 visitors per day at Weston Library alone. Solomon remarked, “You can’t imagine how many people rely on our libraries, so this is very important indeed.”
Beyond physical locations, the council offers a home delivery service for those unable to visit libraries, services tailored to care homes, and a 24/7 digital library providing access to eBooks, audiobooks, newspapers, and more.
Final decisions on the libraries’ future will be made by the council cabinet in February 2026, following the consultation analysis. If approved, changes would be implemented between summer 2026 and September 2028.