Council seeks public views on vision for community-led libraries
Wokingham Borough Council has published a draft library strategy and opened a public consultation asking residents to help shape the services for the years ahead.
The document sets out a vision for community-led libraries intended to support learning, connection and partnership across the borough. It follows an initial round of engagement in July and August, which council officers say attracted feedback from more than 1,300 people.
In a statement accompanying the strategy, Councillor Rachel Bishop-Firth, the executive member for resident services, inclusion and fighting poverty, underlined the importance of libraries to local life. She said libraries are “deeply valued by residents” and that the strategy aims to protect what people value while ensuring services remain fair, accessible and sustainable as the borough changes.
"Libraries are deeply valued by residents. We need to think carefully about how they can continue to meet people's needs in the years ahead." — Councillor Rachel Bishop-Firth
Five core principles guide the proposals
The draft is organised around five core principles. These are presented as the foundations for developing services that reflect local priorities and pressures:
- Communities first — putting local needs at the heart of service design;
- Fair and inclusive — ensuring library access for all residents;
- Learning for life — supporting educational and lifelong learning activities;
- Stronger together — building partnerships with local groups and organisations;
- Forward thinking — planning for change and future challenges.
| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Early engagement responses | More than 1,300 people |
| Consultation closing date | 10 November 2026 |
Why the strategy matters locally
Libraries in Wokingham do more than lend books. They are venues for community activity, sources of information and digital access points for people who may not have reliable internet at home. The council frames the strategy around keeping those core roles while adapting to demographic change and budget pressures.
After early engagement drew more than 1,300 responses, the council is now seeking further public comment on the draft proposals before any final decisions are made. Residents are being encouraged to read the strategy and respond through the council’s engagement portal.
The draft is explicit about wanting services to be fair and inclusive and to work in partnership with community organisations. That emphasis suggests the council expects local groups and volunteers to play an active role in how services evolve — a shift already underway in many areas of public service delivery.
How to take part
The public consultation is live on the council’s engagement site. Residents can give feedback and view the draft strategy at the council’s dedicated page: engage.wokingham.gov.uk/en-GB/projects/wokingham-borough-library-strategy. Responses will be accepted until 10 November 2026.
Once the consultation closes, the council will consider responses before finalising any changes. The draft strategy and the feedback it attracts will shape how local libraries operate in the coming years — from opening hours and outreach to the kinds of learning and digital services offered.
For residents who view local libraries as vital community hubs, the coming weeks offer a practical chance to influence how those hubs are protected and developed. The council says the strategy aims to balance protecting valued services with ensuring they remain sustainable and accessible as the borough’s needs evolve.
Further details and the opportunity to take part in the consultation are available on the council’s engagement website.
