Councillors have backed a plan which could reinvent libraries in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
A unanimous decision was made on Monday in council to move plans forward which aim to modernise the library service and introduce a new Open Access initiative.
Culture, communications and customer councillor Andy Martin said this strategy is committed to keeping all 24 BCP libraries open.
Libraries are anchor institutions. They are safe and neutral spaces.
He added: “Libraries are anchor institutions. They are safe and neutral spaces. Places of education, lifelong learning, health and wellbeing.”
An open access library would give those signed up to the service and over a certain age the ability to go to the library during non-staffed hours.
Hamworthy, Charminster, Rossmore and Southbourne libraries will be the first to pilot open access.
Risks with open access were discussed in the meeting, such as theft or unregistered members entering the library, and whether paid staff would still be needed if successful.
It was said, however, that the potential risks outweighed the positives, and that staff were still essential to running the service.
“Open access is a way we can get those buildings used by the public,” said Lynda Anderson, head of customer and libraries. “The aspiration is to create community hubs in those four libraries.”
The five-year plan aims to incorporate suggestions taken from the public, repairing needs in the libraries and ways to fundraise more money.
The strategy will now be reviewed by the cabinet where councillors will decide whether to approve it.
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