THE future of libraries and what they offer will be up for consultation this year.

Oxfordshire County Council will publish a draft heritage and libraries strategy on January 24, after the council’s cabinet agreed it should be released for consultation.

The strategy sets out how services will be delivered up to 2027, considering the ‘changing needs of Oxfordshire’s growing population’.

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Neil Fawcett, cabinet member for community services and safety, said: “Public libraries and heritage services are trusted, free to use and open to everyone.

“They act as safe and welcoming spaces, serve as launchpads for information and knowledge, and provide opportunities for creativity and enjoyment.

“Our libraries and museums also serve as hubs, providing a wide range of services and facilities accessible to local communities.

“We are passionate about our services and know that access to our collections can make a real difference to lives in so many ways.

“They inspire, challenge and stimulate us to think about where we have come from and our future as individuals and communities.

“It is crucial our services actively respond to the current and changing needs of the local population. This strategy, supported by an ambitious action plan, provides the strong foundation for that to happen.”