Why could closing a library silence music groups?

The conductor of a long-established orchestra has warned that some music and drama groups could fold if a performing arts library is closed.

Hertfordshire County Council has consulted on a plan to shut down the facility, which provides music and scripts for about 230 groups.

It says it is having to make savings to ensure essential library services are protected.

So why would getting rid of the performing arts collection have such an impact?

The Performing Arts Library in Bessemer Road, Welwyn Garden City, holds orchestral scores, choral works and play scripts, as well as material written specifically for schools.

Orchestral sets cost £10 per month to borrow, while vocal scores are 35p each.

Schools can get ensemble sets for £3.50 per month.

Groups from outside Hertfordshire can use the library, although they pay more.

Chris Lucas, council's executive member for resources, said: "Like councils nationwide, Hertfordshire faces significant financial pressures and is among the worst affected by the government's new funding formula for councils which cuts our grant funding by £46m a year.

"As part of a wider savings programme, we must carefully review how services are delivered so that essential library services are protected."

Under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964, local councils in England have a legal, statutory obligation to provide a "comprehensive and efficient" library service to anyone who lives, works, or studies in their area.

As long as the service is "comprehensive and efficient", councils can decide what it includes - there is no obligation to provide musical scores or play scripts.

A consultation on the proposal to shut the Performing Arts Library took place between 6 March and 5 May, and the council says it is analysing feedback.

Orchestras, bands and choirs usually work from printed music books or "scores" which can be quite expensive.

Vocal groups which sing from written notes need one score for each person.

Larger instrumental groups will have some pairs of musicians who share scores if they are playing the same part.

Buying complete sets of a piece of music for one performance would be prohibitively expensive for local groups, so hiring the music is a more realistic option.

Similarly, a local amateur dramatic society would probably be unable to afford to buy scripts for each actor in a play, so usually look to borrow them.

James Ross, who conducts the Welwyn Garden City Orchestra and Chorus, said the Performing Arts Library was part of a UK network of libraries which "all co-operate and share music with each other".

Therefore, the closure of the Hertfordshire library could affect other groups across the country who may not then have access to material that is only held by that facility.

Ross said: "My colleagues who are the librarians in our society, and in all other comparable organisations, are all volunteers doing this in their own time. [They]are going to find what's already quite a complex job... [becomes] something that's almost going to be impossible.

"So, in short, yes, I think some groups may close down and for others, they're going to be spending a lot more money from what are inevitably very limited budgets on music hire, which means they can't spend that money then on other activities that serve the community."

Bryony Woods, co-founder of the Stotfold Singers, said closure "would really negatively impact a lot of people".

"I think we're living in a time where you know we're becoming more isolated and lonely than ever and I think something that is bringing people out of their homes to join in something like communal singing is only a positive thing and I think we should be encouraging it."

Ben Saffell from Making Music, which supports musical societies across the country, said: "I think Hertfordshire Performing Arts Library has about 230 users.

"The average number is 61 members per group, so that's 61 people per library user who are getting a benefit, which is almost 14,000 people.

"Our groups in Hertfordshire are probably doing around 1,000 events per year, so there's lots of people in the county getting a benefit from that service."

He added that there are other factors to consider, such as the impact of music on well-being and the extent to which musical events contribute to the local economy.

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