The Council’s Library Strategy sets out a vision for Worcestershire Libraries from 2020 to 2025 that sees:

• greater awareness and use of library services by Worcestershire residents
• increased use of libraries by local residents, community groups and service providers
• libraries established as a ‘front door’ for Council and community services
• library services tailored to meet community needs
• investment in new technology and new service delivery models to future-proof the library network

Libraries Unlocked uses technology to allow customers and community groups to visit their local library and use library services outside of core staffed opening hours.

Investment in Libraries Unlocked technology has allowed library opening hours to be increased at Bromsgrove, Droitwich, Evesham, Kidderminster, Malvern, Pershore, Rubery, St John's and Stourport libraries:

• providing more convenience for customers who find it difficult to visit their local library during normal working hours
• allowing a wider cross-section of the community to take advantage of library services
• enabling residents and community groups to get the best use out of their local library

Following the successful implementation of Libraires Unlocked in Droitwich and Stourport Libraries in June 2022, a further seven locations went live in 2024, allowing community groups and library members who sign up to Libraries Unlocked to visit their local library between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday.

Bewdley, Redditch and Tenbury libraries are part of the next planned stage of Libraries Unlocked for 2025, and pre-implementation work is in progress at these locations.

Local library-based customer engagement sessions will be held before Libraries Unlocked goes live at a new location, to provide information on the new service and an opportunity for customers to ask questions, share ideas and make suggestions. 

We received just under 2000 responses to our formal public consultation on library transformation options back in 2018 to 2019 which included a consultation survey and public meetings in all libraries. We gained valuable customer feedback on using libraries when staff are not present and have incorporated a variety of measures into Libraries Unlocked based on that feedback.

Our most recent survey of Libraries Unlocked members was carried out during October 2024 to understand what customers are using Libraries Unlocked for, what benefits it is delivering and how the service can be improved. 1895 responses were received.

The primary reasons for using Libraries Unlocked are to:

• borrow, return or renew library items
• use a free library computer or wi-fi
• print or photocopy documents
• study, read or research
• use space to work
• use as a warm or safe space
• find information or make an enquiry
• take part in a Connect Group (e.g. Chess Club, Reading Group)
• meet with friends
• search online reference services
• take part in community activities

We continue to engage with our customers regularly to determine what is working well and what needs to be adjusted.

Libraries Unlocked has been favourably received by customers, with data at end May 2025 showing that over 15,000 library customers have signed up for Libraries Unlocked membership. There have been more than 100,200 visits, 113,000 book issues and over 26,500 public computer sessions during Libraries Unlocked opening hours and the service is most popular with 65 to 74, 75+ and 35 to 44 age groups.

Many community partners take advantage of the extended library opening hours and free room hire to introduce new partner-led events, helping to foster a vibrant community spirit in the library during Libraries Unlocked opening hours.

Since June 2022 there has been over 3,600 hours of community activity by council and community partners during Libraries Unlocked opening hours, including author talks, NHS clinics, Police drop-ins, Beavers and Brownies groups, Adult Learning and U3A courses, volunteer run Connect Groups (music groups, reading groups, writers’ groups), Repair Cafes, Cancer Support groups and Women’s Aid groups.