Cambridgeshire libraries are among the first in the country to work with other authorities to protect services and make savings. Plans are progressing to join with four other councils in the East to save up to £500,000 by sharing services. This is part of the Library Service Review. In-depth investigations into a range of options from forming a trust to using more volunteers are also to be carried out.

The results will be reported back in January with final proposals about the future shape of library services. The County Council needs to make a £2.2 million reduction (almost 30%) in its Library Service budget over the next three years. Public engagement activity launched this summer has put communities at the heart of transforming library services. Some 4,000 people have responded, and a full report of the public consultation will be published in November with the findings used and incorporated into options to be considered in January.