The Warrington Library Network Forum has now been established to replace the former Library Partnership Board which was set up to ensure Warrington's library service was dynamic, comprehensive, universal and sustainable for all Warrington residents. The Board oversaw the refurbishment programme across the libraries which has now been completed.

The Warrington Library Network Forum will support and encourage engagement in a strong modern library service within the Borough, ensuring service users and the wider public have a voice.

Warrington Library Network Forum role

  • Be open and responsive to change, helping to drive the modernisation of Warrington’s library service.
  • Act as advocates for Warrington’s library service and it’s offers.
  • Draw on national and international best practice to identify opportunities to sustain and enhance the libraries offer in Warrington.
  • Support the service by enhancing community and volunteer engagement within Warrington’s libraries.
  • Support libraries in seeking external funding opportunities to promote innovation and best practice.
  • Act as a critical friend to facilitate the process of continuous improvement across Warrington’s library service.
  • Encourage wider community feedback to support engagement in user and non-user surveys. Support the delivery against the public library strategy aims

Public library strategy aims:

  1. Encourage and promote enjoyment of reading, learning, creativity, culture, imagination and play.
  2. Provide children and young people with an engaging and relevant offer to help them fulfil their full potential.
  3. Embrace technology and digital formats, supporting greater inclusivity in accessing new media.
  4. Support positive physical and mental wellbeing.
  5. Enable access to up-to-date, accurate and trusted sources of information.
  6. Provide attractive, welcoming, inclusive and environmentally sustainable community spaces – a safe and social space for all.

Warrington Library Network Forum meetings

The next Warrington Library Network Forum meeting on the 5 November 2024 (between 10.00pm and 11.30am) will take place at Culcheth Library. The meeting can hold 40 people, so people will be able to attend on a first come first served basis. If you'd like to attend the meeting, please email Garry D'Arcy gdarcy@warrington.gov.uk

Meeting arrangements

  • The network will meet three times per year, in person where possible, in a library venue.
  • If required, task and finish groups will be established to report to the network for specific project work streams.
  • The network will publish meeting papers on the Warrington Borough Council website.

Forum support team

  • Eleanor Blackburn  - Head of Inclusive Economy, Leisure and Culture (WBC)
  • Cheryl Siddall  - LiveWire Services Manager (WBC)
  • Rachel Ralston - Strategic Library Manager, LiveWire (WBC)
  • Garry D’Arcy – Partnerships and Commissioning Project Manager (WBC)

Library strategy Refresh 2023 – 2026

The Library Strategy was refreshed and updated following Covid and will run from 2023-2026.

The strategy was adopted in 2023 by the Library Partnership Board and is now a live document.

Library partnership board 

The Library Partnership Board has now been replaced by Warrington Library Network Forum

24 September 2024