Summary of key findings

The assessment highlights significant demographic and socio-economic challenges, including an ageing population with higher health risks, pockets of severe deprivation affecting around 28,800 residents, below-average educational attainment, high levels of child poverty, and rurality impacting access to services. While the Library Service is well-regarded, issues such as staffing pressures, building suitability, and low awareness of services among residents require attention. The Council’s strategic priorities position libraries as key partners in promoting health, wellbeing, and early intervention.

Feedback from residents, staff, and stakeholders identifies ten priority areas for development:

1. Maintain satisfaction with core services (provision of books and information, IT and PC access, activities and events in and out of library settings), while investing in library buildings.
2. Address low awareness of services among both users and non-users.
3. Expand engagement with the digital offer.
4. Make libraries more appealing to young people through events and study spaces.
5. Enhance staff training to broaden service delivery and digital support.
6. Strengthen collaboration to deliver tailored services and improve access for vulnerable and rural residents.
7. Review the nature, timing, and location of events to match community expectations.
8. Improve marketing and promotion beyond reliance on social media.
9. Address concerns about service quality in library links and volunteer knowledge.
10. Extend services to those unable to access library buildings through mobile and outreach provision.

This Strategic Needs Assessment highlights several key opportunities for Cumberland Libraries to strengthen their role as vital community assets.

To remain relevant and impactful, libraries must enhance their visibility through improved marketing and promotion, ensuring that residents are fully aware of the services available to them.

Equally important is the need to create welcoming, accessible spaces that foster learning, connection, and community engagement.

Libraries can play a greater role in supporting health and well-being by offering more information, advice, and guidance, alongside events and activities that bring people together. Expanding outreach efforts to areas of deprivation and other priority communities will help address inequalities and provide essential support for employability, life skills, digital inclusion, and early years literacy.

The digital offer also requires significant development, both in terms of systems and user access, to ensure residents can benefit from online resources and IT services. For those unable to visit physical locations, creative and accessible alternatives will be crucial.

Finally, building strong partnerships and securing external funding will enable libraries to deliver these priorities effectively and sustainably.

By embracing these considerations, Cumberland Libraries can evolve into dynamic, inclusive hubs that meet the diverse needs of their communities now and into the future.