Fees lowered for more accessible libraries and museums
Lower fees and charges are set to make Lancashire's museums and libraries more easily accessible for families, care leavers and people with disabilities.
The proposed changes, which follow an annual review of the county council's cultural services fees, include:
• increasing the list of groups who are exempt from charges for borrowing CDs and DVDs to include people with a physical impairment and those who are deaf or hard of hearing
• exempting care leavers under the age of 25 from paying for the late return of library books
• removing the library reservation charge for CDs
• removing the charges for craft activities for children and families in libraries
• offering half price entry for two months in May and June 2022 for National Trust members at Helmshore and Queen Street Mills
• reintroducing the family Xplorer ticket, a £20 annual family pass which gives unlimited access to county council museums including: Clitheroe Castle, Helmshore Mills Textile Museum, Queen Street Mill Textile Museum, Judges' Lodgings Museum and Gawthorpe Hall. Lancaster Castle Museum is not included in this offer
• reducing the commission rate for charitable and not for profit organisations on sales of art and crafts
The proposed changes will be considered by the county council's cabinet on Thursday 3 February. If approved, they will come into effect on 1 April 2022.
County Councillor Peter Buckley, cabinet member for community and cultural services, said:
"These reduced fees are a key part of our plans to ensure our libraries and museums are more easily accessible for residents.
"It's great that we're able to remove charges for CDs and DVDs for people with a physical impairment and people who are deaf or hard of hearing, and exempt care leavers under the age of 25 from fines for late returns of books.
"Removing charges for craft activities would also encourage more families to come and enjoy their library together and the lowering of sales commission rate for charitable and not for profit organisations will encourage more people into our libraries and museums.
"We also want to do all we can to encourage people to see our fantastic museums and learn all about their local history from the superb collections and exhibits.
"The Xplorer pass and half-price offer for National Trust members at Helmshore and Queen Street Mills are both great value.
"Cabinet will consider this proposal at its meeting on 3 February before the fees are finalized."
To read the full report, visit our cabinet web page