Agenda item

Cabinet received a report on a new vision and strategy for Buckinghamshire libraries.  Libraries had transformed over recent years to offer a range of services and activities that promote wellbeing, inclusion, and community cohesion.

The vision was for a service that provided welcoming and safe spaces for everyone to access reading, culture and the information and services they need to learn, discover, imagine, and thrive. The priorities for Buckinghamshire Libraries were:

·       Encouraging Culture, Reading and Learning.

·       Building Stronger Communities.

·       Enabling Access, Information, and Inclusion.

·       Promoting Health and Wellbeing.

The guiding principles for delivery were building partnerships; developing libraries as hubs; engaging and empowering staff and volunteers; and constant service improvement.

An extensive engagement exercise had been undertaken to inform the priorities and gauge the level of support for the proposed approach. This had demonstrated that 90% of respondents agreed with the vision, with approval ranging from 84% to 92% for the four priorities.  Work had taken place to develop short to medium term objectives to deliver the new vision and priorities, along with the associated measures of success.

The service would now engage with staff, volunteers, and partners to develop a detailed action plan to deliver a modern, relevant, and sustainable library service for Buckinghamshire. The action plan would be reviewed annually with particular attention given to ensuring alignment with the Opportunity Bucks - Succeeding for All programme including future discussion with ward partnerships.

RESOLVED –

That the Buckinghamshire Libraries Strategy be APPROVED, as set out in the report and appendix.

Cabinet received a report on a new vision and strategy for Buckinghamshire libraries.  Libraries had transformed over recent years to offer a range of services and activities that promote wellbeing, inclusion, and community cohesion.

The vision was for a service that provided welcoming and safe spaces for everyone to access reading, culture and the information and services they need to learn, discover, imagine, and thrive. The priorities for Buckinghamshire Libraries were:

·         Encouraging Culture, Reading and Learning.

·         Building Stronger Communities.

·         Enabling Access, Information, and Inclusion.

·         Promoting Health and Wellbeing.

The guiding principles for delivery were building partnerships; developing libraries as hubs; engaging and empowering staff and volunteers; and continuous service improvement.

An extensive engagement exercise had been undertaken to inform the priorities and gauge the level of support for the proposed approach. This had demonstrated that 90% of respondents agreed with the vision, with approval ranging from 84% to 92% for the four priorities.  Work had taken place to develop short to medium term objectives to deliver the new vision and priorities, along with the associated measures of success.

The service would now engage with staff, volunteers, and partners to develop a detailed action plan to deliver a modern, relevant, and sustainable library service for Buckinghamshire. The action plan would be reviewed annually with particular attention given to ensuring alignment with the Opportunity Bucks - Succeeding for All programme including future discussion with ward partnerships.

The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure reported that the Library Service was evolving to meet the needs of residents and to also act as Council hubs providing IT facilities, warm spaces and local advice. Reference was made to facilities like the Chiltern Lifestyle Centre which included the library. Hubs such as these could be expanded to provide other services such as GP surgeries in the future. The Service Director for Communities – Culture Sport and Leisure reported that it was an ambitious strategy aiming to make services accessible to all. Reference was made to expansion of cultural participation, health and wellbeing including working in partnership with Public Health and support to the Opportunity Bucks Programme and to other programmes such as climate change.

The Leader welcomed the Strategy and commented on how libraries had changed over the years and evolved now into community hubs. He asked whether this pre-empted a national policy or strategy and may have to be amended in the future. The Service Director reported that a new national libraries strategy was in development; in the meantime the Buckinghamshire Libraries Strategy aligns well to existing strategies such as that of Arts Council England and the service was connected across a range of professional bodies such as Libraries Connected, CILIP and the Local Government Association to continue the right direction of travel. There would also be an Annual Review of the Strategy in the next 12 months and an opportunity to refresh it. The Leader also asked for reassurance that the main purpose of the library was to help promote reading particularly to help people with literacy problems. The Cabinet Member reported that the staff had been trained to help with reading and also provide support on other areas such as CV’s. Libraries now provided a tablet so that residents could read books in their own language. The Library Service also worked with Adult Learning and Read Easy literacy charity. The Leader then asked about tourist information and whether this was provided by the library. Members noted that leaflets were provided which had been left by local groups and also there were various displays on local history. The Service Director reported that there were also walks that started from some library buildings.

In terms of social care the Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing reported on the close working relationship between libraries and public health which included areas such as dementia, helping those with health conditions, health checks and reducing smoking. Work was also being undertaken with care homes.  In response to a question about prison libraries it was noted that there was a separate contract with prisons as the service was designed around their needs. A Member queried why Steeple Claydon Library had not currently been listed. [Post Meeting Note; As this library operated outside of the Buckinghamshire Council network, it had not been listed but the library would be contacted to see how they would like to be listed.]

A Cabinet Member emphasised the important of attracting young people to libraries and to promote a lifelong habit. He also referred to orchestra’s playing in libraries to increase learning. In terms of libraries being used as access points it would be helpful to promote these to increase awareness as they were launched previously just before the pandemic. In terms of the new library at Winslow it was important to engage stakeholders at an early point in the project. The Cabinet Member reported that it was useful having one of the libraries in the Lifestyle Centre as that attracted young people who were also doing sport. With reference to skills mention had already been made of links with Opportunity Bucks, literacy and learning was core to the library offer, from the early years through to STEM activities, employment events such as Back on Track, and more.

Regarding access to libraries, research was being undertaken on barriers to access. In terms of transport they were also looking at providing better cycling storage and also facilities for EV where possible.

The Strategy included income generating opportunities such as rentals, room hire, digital advertising and donations. Volunteer staff were fundamental to the library service and there was ongoing recruitment for volunteers. Volunteers included a mixed age range of young people, people with special educational needs and experienced older professionals. In terms of library visits these were in decline nationally but increased use of online library resources was sustained; the Strategy recognised it was important to achieve a balance of needs.

Cabinet Members welcomed the Strategy and paid thanks to the hard work of staff.

RESOLVED –

That the Buckinghamshire Libraries Strategy be APPROVED, as set out in the report and appendix.