ALL of Bradford’s 29 libraries are likely to remain open – but some may be moved to other buildings such as leisure centres.

Bradford Council has started a public consultation into the future of its library service, and it says there will be no closures. However the future service in some areas of the district may look very different in the coming years.

Last year Bradford Council announced it would be cutting its library service budget by £1.05 million – raising concerns that Bradford’s provision would be gutted.

There was a huge backlash to the cuts plans, and a number of strikes involving library staff were held, including strike action in Ilkley.

But late last year the Council revealed that it would use £700,000 from its public health budget to support the service – making the cuts less severe than originally feared.

On Monday the Council launched a public consultation into the services, and people have until March 15 to comment.

The Council says that as well as providing traditional library services, any future service should include “improving health outcomes, tackling poverty, addressing social isolation, assisting people back into employment and helping with school readiness.”

The Council says the extra £700,000 a year from Public Health: “Means that we can develop plans for the future without needing to achieve immediate savings which will allow us to retain our existing network of 29 libraries in current localities, although this might mean that we have to consider using different buildings which are more suitable for our aspirations and enhancement of services."

The consultation document says: “Our strategy is primarily about the service, not the buildings that libraries occupy, however we recognise that some library buildings have an important role in the community and this will only increase through their evolving role as community hubs.

“Some libraries may easily lend themselves to these uses, however for others it may be necessary to either make property alterations or consider alternative premises.

“The building that houses the library need not primarily be a library e.g. co-location in a fitness centre. The library is a service and not a building.”

Current library buildings could be closed and sold to allow the services to re-locate to new buildings.

Last month Councillors were told that in addition to the Public Health money, the Council was looking at other partners to secure the future of the service.

Phil Barker, assistant director for sport and culture, old members of the Regeneration and Environment Scrutiny Committee: “We are talking with partners to develop options for the future of our libraries.

“By the end of March we should have a robust plan for what the libraries service will be going forward.”

A number of drop in events on the consultation are being held in the coming weeks.

On Monday there will be a session at Wibsey Library from 4pm – 6pm. On Wednesday February 19 there will be a session in Manningham Library from 6.30pm – 8.30pm Eccleshill Library will host a session on Tuesday February 25 from 2pm – 4pm, and a session will be held at Keighley Library on Wednesday February 26 from 10.30am – 12.30pm. On Thursday February 27 Shipley Library hosts a session from 10.30am – 12.30pm

To take part in the consultation visit bradford.moderngov.co.uk/mgConsultationDisplay.aspx?ID=228