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Infrastructure Delivery Plan (Feb 2013) - Runnymede Borough Council

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Libraries<br />

vitality and viability and improve their competitiveness with other shopping facilities and<br />

centres outside the <strong>Borough</strong>.<br />

14.29 Under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964, Surrey County <strong>Council</strong> has a<br />

statutory duty to provide “a comprehensive and efficient library service” for all persons<br />

desiring to make use of it, provided they live, or work, or are in full-time education in the<br />

<strong>Council</strong>’s area 44 .<br />

14.30 The CILIP (Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals) states 45 that a<br />

good library service contributes to:<br />

Existing conditions<br />

• A positive future for children and young people<br />

• A fulfilling life for older people<br />

• Strong safe and sustainable communities<br />

• Promotion of local identity and community pride<br />

• Learning skills and workforce development<br />

• Health improvements and well-being<br />

• Equality, community cohesion and social justice<br />

• Economic regeneration<br />

14.31 In <strong>Runnymede</strong>, library services are managed through SCC. There are 5 libraries within<br />

the <strong>Borough</strong> in Addlestone, Chertsey, Egham, New Haw and Virginia Water. These are<br />

part of a larger network of 52 branch libraries providing a comprehensive service to<br />

residents within Surrey.<br />

14.32 According to Public Library Users Surveys (PLUS) surveys in 2009, the highest<br />

proportion of customers across Surrey with disabilities is at Virginia Water library 46 . The<br />

same survey shows that an average of 5% of respondents at the libraries across<br />

Surrey surveyed had a visual impairment. The highest proportion was at Virginia Water<br />

(7% of respondents). Borrower data also shows that adults aged 65 and over represent<br />

19% of borrowers at Surrey libraries. New Haw has one of the highest proportions of<br />

customers aged 65 and over.<br />

14.33 The library service continues to provide access to education, literacy and lifelong<br />

learning which are all national and local priorities. The provision offered in libraries is<br />

growing and continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of customers.<br />

Increasingly, libraries are required to increase their provision by local councils and the<br />

government and take on new responsibilities, putting a strain on resources and<br />

budgets.<br />

14.34 The library operation manager for SCC has reported that lending areas in all five<br />

libraries in <strong>Runnymede</strong> are in an attractive condition. Addlestone library was refitted<br />

when it co-located into the <strong>Council</strong> Offices in 2008. Egham library has benefitted from a<br />

full refurbishment and Virginia Water, New Haw and Chertsey have been improved by<br />

the joint efforts of SCC and Friends groups who are voluntary supporters of these<br />

libraries.<br />

44<br />

PVR: Surrey Library Service-Community Partnered Libraries cabinet report 24july 2012 (Item 6) pg 6<br />

45<br />

ibid <br />

46<br />

PVR: Surrey Library Service-Community Partnered Libraries cabinet report 24july 2012 (Item 6)<br />

Page | 147<br />

<strong>Runnymede</strong> IDP DRAFT – <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2013</strong>

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