Concerns have arisen after the entire performing arts stock was left behind at Gloucester’s old library on Brunswick Road, leaving local volunteers unable to access vital playsets and music materials.
Last month, Gloucester Library relocated with much fanfare from Brunswick Road to the City Campus, housed in the former Debenhams building on Northgate Street. However, in the rush to move, the performing arts collection was overlooked and remains at the old site, inaccessible to the many volunteers who rely on it.
Volunteers from the University of the Third Age (U3A), who run numerous play reading groups across Gloucestershire, have been particularly affected. Vivien Paxford, who leads the Bishop’s Cleeve U3A play reading group, described the situation as “a very bad decision” during the planning phase of the move.
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“The entire performing arts library has been abandoned at the old library premises and is unavailable to the local volunteers who depend on these resources,” said Paxford. She explained that efforts to uncover why the collection was left behind revealed a lack of sufficient storage space at the new location.
Since mid-September, Paxford and other groups, including U3A members from Cam, Dursley, and surrounding areas, have been unable to borrow any playsets. Paxford expressed concern that some groups might not survive without access to these resources and criticized the oversight as a waste of taxpayer-funded services.
In response, Libraries Cabinet Member Paul Hodgkinson confirmed that the performing arts stock will soon be relocated to another library, ensuring continued access. He noted, however, that fewer people have been borrowing music recently, and because of the space constraints at City Campus, alternative solutions are being explored.
“We are seeking community partners who may be able to house our music borrowing service formerly based at Gloucester Library," Hodgkinson said. “This decision has not been made lightly, and we understand the community’s disappointment.”
Regular borrowers have been contacted and assured that all currently loaned or reserved materials will be honored. Hodgkinson encourages anyone interested in supporting the service’s relocation to get in touch via email at [email protected].
While the performing arts resources will remain available, the situation highlights the challenges faced in balancing space and community needs during major library relocations.