The future of the city’s library service and how it can continue to meet community needs for the next few years is to be considered by Cabinet.

After extensive negotiations and a thorough review of proposed working models, Derby City Council withdrew from a process to appoint Sporting Communities, a not-for-profit organisation, to run Derby's ten non-statutory community libraries in May.

Now Cabinet members will be updated on the reasons for ending those negotiations and will be presented with fresh proposals on the interim operation of the service when they meet on 9 July.

Council Cabinet approved plans for the city’s ten non-statutory libraries to be run by a Trust last year and a formal process to identify viable proposals was launched in March 2024.

During extensive negotiations, it became clear that outsourcing is not the best or most sustainable way to protect the future of the library service. The proposed transfer was expected to save money for the Council. Negotiations revealed that the financial support needed for a successful transfer would exceed the allocated budget.

The review comes as local authorities across England prepare for significant structural changes, potentially prompting a re-evaluation of how essential public services like libraries are delivered.

Under the Public Libraries & Museums Act of 1964, the Council must provide a full and efficient public library service. The last Strategic Needs Assessment (SNA) in 2017 found that Derby needs five main libraries to meet its legal requirements, while adapting to evolving community needs.

Local government reorganisation, anticipated to unfold over the next three years, could lead to a reconfiguration of library services across a broader region. A potential expansion would require a further SNA to determine statutory library provision for any new authority area.

Cabinet is being asked to approve a recommendation to maintain the current library management structure and defer a full SNA until the future of the authority is clearer.

Councillor Sarah Chambers, Cabinet Member for Cost of Living, Equalities and Communities said:

Our priority is to ensure our library services remain a vital resource for our communities, even as we navigate significant changes in local government.

This review is about making responsible decisions that secure the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of our libraries for all residents.

The Cabinet meeting is on Wednesday 9 July and can be watched live.