As part of our work in Higher Croft Ward, we also have responsibility for the Roman Road Library with the fantastic support of our volunteers. In early 2015, Blackburn with Darwen Council launched a consultation on the future delivery of community libraries in the borough. Due to a further cut in Government funding of £31m over three years, the budget for the library service has been reduced in line with many other services, but unlike other areas where libraries have been closed, the Council wanted to explore community interest in running and supporting Livesey Library, Mill Hill Library and Roman Road Library.
In November 2015, we entered into an agreement with the Council to provide the day to day operation of Roman Road with a team of our volunteers. The volunteers completed a structured programme of training to equip them to help in the library ranging from health and safety sessions to specific library work including assisting customers to choose and borrow books. During the period April 2016 to March 2017, we supported 22 volunteers to help deliver the library service.
The Council also transformed a space formerly used as a garage to provide a community gym and we re-located MyGym@Highercroft from the Energy Zone to the Library building providing a unique facility to encourage more use of the library service while at the same time encouraging health and wellbeing in the community.
The library offers a range of services with full access for those with special needs:
• Books for leisure and study;
• Newspapers;
• Computers offering free Internet, email and
e-information resources;
• Information services – from business advice
to health information;
• Reference section;
• DVDs;
• Talking books;
• Printing facilities;
• A welcoming space to relax, chat, read or
study;
• Learning courses;
• Homework help;
• Holiday activities;
• Story times for 0-5 years.