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Libraries planned in Hertfordshire fire stations
In a novel take on the dangers of book burning, up to four libraries in Hertfordshire could be relocated into the area’s part-time fire stations.
Hertfordshire County Council has received £700,000 of government funding for the scheme, which it called “pioneering”.
The funding will see up to four existing libraries relocate to “modern new facilities” on the same site as village fire stations.
Frances Button, the council’s cabinet member for libraries, said: “This is great news for Hertfordshire’s libraries and will help to secure the future of our village branches. Everyone knows that budgets are under pressure, but by sharing sites we can keep our running costs down without sacrificing services. We are committed to sustaining library services across the county though we may need to work creatively with partners and communities to achieve this.”
The council is currently consulting residents on its library strategy, and the results of the consultation, which finishes on 7th December, will be used to determine which libraries will be relocated.
Hertfordshire County Council’s fire and rescue service and library service are working to develop plans which will incorporate the results of the consultation.
Richard Thake, cabinet member for community safety, said: “Fire stations and libraries are both at the heart of the communities they serve and it makes perfect sense to use spare space at our village fire stations to support other important local services.
“This scheme will help to guarantee the long-term future of both our local fire stations and local libraries. It’s a great example of how public services can work together creatively to improve value for money.”
Hertfordshire has 13 retained fire stations.
Fire stations are not the first unusual library location. A pub in the Yorkshire Dales doubles as a library while in Lewisham a library has been set up in a phone box.
Earlier this year William Sieghart said more library services could be delivered in pubs and shops in the future.
