Frequently Asked Questions

Q What was the process that informed the recommendations in the ‘Next Chapter’ report?
A When Wigan Council Cabinet met on 18th November 2010 they agreed five criteria.  These five criteria were used to develop a robust scoring mechanism for each existing library service.  Feedback gathered during the four-month long public consultation process was used to further inform the recommendations in the report.  The public consultation process included 4,531 questionnaire responses, ‘Have Your Say’ sessions in each library, exposure on BBC TV / Radio and coverage in the local press.

Q What will the new service look like?
A Four library tiers will be introduced, as follows:
Library Central – Broadest range of stock and services, open between 50-55 hours per week.  Library Central sites will be at Leigh and Wigan
Library Local – Wide range of stock and core services, open between 35-40 hours per week.  Library Local sites will be at Ashton, Golborne, Hindley, Lamberhead Green, Standish and Tyldesley.
Library Express – Good range of stock with reduced services, open a minimum of 18 hours per week.  Library Express sites will be at Aspull, Atherton, Hope, Ince, Marsh Green and Platt Bridge.
Library Direct – Direct to door and community delivery services.  Library Direct community delivery sites will be at Abram, Beech Hill and Orrell.  Home Delivery Services and the library website will also be Library Direct services.

The modernised library service will make greater use of self service technology and will continue to cover all areas of the borough, as shown on this map.

Q What is happening to Wigan Children’s Library?
A The Children’s Library in Wigan will move into the new library space in the Wigan Life Centre in January 2012.  This will mean that adult and children’s library services will be delivered from the same building.

Q When will the new service be operational?
A It is anticipated that the revised service will be in operation across the borough in January 2012.  Some further changes will continue to happen throughout 2012.

Q Will the opening hours or services offered at the most affected libraries be increased in the future?
A In most instances, the library infrastructure will be retained, modernised and enhanced where feasible.  Should extra funding be available in the future, services and opening hours may be subject to increases.

Q Are you disposing of the book stock from services that are being reduced / withdrawn?
A In the first instance, book stock will be reused in other libraries.  Any stock that remains will be offered for sale to second hand book dealers, or will be sold by the library service on the Amazon website.

Q What will happen to the computers where services are being reduced / withdrawn?

A All Wigan Libraries’ public computers are leased.  The computers will be reused wherever possible, including enhancing the IT offer at Wigan Library, when it reopens at its new site in January 2012.

Q What does the term ‘pick-up / drop-off point’ mean?
A ‘Pick-up / drop-off points’ will be places at which library books can be delivered free of charge by the library service for customers to collect.  Customers will also be able to return books via these points, with returned books being collected on a regular basis by the library service.  Pick-up / drop-off points will be located at an accessible place within local communities.  This may or may not be the same location as existing library services.

Q Will services be unavailable during the change over period?
A Unfortunately, some services will need to close temporarily to allow changes to be made.  We will communicate the dates for any such closures with customers in advance, and there will be arrangements put in place to ensure that disruption to the service and to customers is kept to a minimum.  We will ensure that services will continue to be available at as many other libraries as is possible.

Q What will happen to customers of the mobile library service?
A We very much want customers of the mobile library service to continue to access library services, and procedures in place to help ensure this happens.  Customers of the service will be contacted in the near future with alternatives for being able to continue to access library services. Our statistics tell us that 55% of current mobile library customers already use other libraries, so a combination of retaining services within communities, enhancing online services and the Home Delivery Service will help to ensure that these customers are still able to access library services.

You can keep up to date with the changes by checking with your local library and by visiting our dedicated webpage at www.wlct.org/nextchapter to find out about the latest news.