the changing face of public libraries ciara eastell head of libraries, culture and heritage devon...
TRANSCRIPT
The Changing Face of Public Libraries
Ciara EastellHead of Libraries, Culture and Heritage
Devon County CouncilPresident, Society of Chief Librarians (SCL)
What I will cover
• Context for public libraries:– Customers– Local authorities– National policy agenda
• How SCL is responding:– SCL Universal Offers– Learning Offer– Access to Research Journals
• Potential for collaboration with SCONUL
Changing Face: Customers• Customer needs are changing:
– Digital inclusion a major issue – welfare reform & job seeking
– Older people looking for digital support – Much higher expectations around digital services– People looking for experiences, not transactions– Children & families’ appetite for libraries
Changing Face: Local authorities• Increasing demand for services, esp. adult
social care• Increasing expectation of co-location of
services• Move away from direct delivery of services• Increasing focus on outcomes
Changing Face: National Policy Context• Dec ‘14: Independent Library Report for
England:– A ‘Beeching Moment’ for Public Libraries?– Need to engage policy makers and ‘ABs’
• March ‘15: Leadership for Libraries Taskforce:– Includes DCMS, LGA, SCL, CILIP, BL, BBC, Public
Health England
Enough reports: More Delivery!
Aims of the TaskforceTo get libraries seen as an integral solution to delivering (central and local) government agendas in a cohesive way to local communities
To get libraries seen as essential community hubs
To get libraries valued by decision makers and users alike
To enable a new future for libraries
Priorities for 2015/16Digital enablement – including the provision of universal WiFi access, e-lending, digital shared network and quality content
Libraries adding value – making stronger, strategic links between libraries and other policies, eg. health & wellbeing; business & economic growth
Best Practice – helping Local Authorities and library services through sharing and linking to existing/new best practice. Building sustainable long-term models for libraries/community hubs
Workforce – skills needed to help the library workforce deliver the above and to take on new roles as part of wider service provision
Communications - Promoting recognition and support for libraries
How is SCL responding?
Society of Chief Librarians (SCL)
• Development of the Universal Offers:• Info Offer: • Health: • Digital• Reading• Children’s Promise• Six Steps
• National programmes that can be tailored to meet local needs and demand
• Working hard as part of the Taskforce to tell a positive story• Building better partnerships with the BBC and the British Library• Developing Universal Learning Offer
Key areas of current work• Reading Well Books on Prescription• Universal Digital Presence• Digital Leadership programme• Internship programme• Alternative delivery models• E-lending pilots• Workforce development programme
The Universal Learning Offer
Universal Learning Offer• Recognition of libraries’ enduring role in
supporting informal & lifelong learning• Demand for new forms of learning• Recognition of the skills agenda (for adults &
children)
Learning Offer: BaselinePublic libraries offer:• Access to free resources that support learning in a range of
formats appropriate for each learner• Study/learning spaces for children, young people and
adults in the library service• Signposting to a range of free and low cost learning
opportunities, available within communities• Opportunities for exploration and creation, especially for
children and young people• Places where communities and individuals can develop and
share their own learning activities
‘Stretch’ offers
• MOOCs: piloting social learning• Children’s digital: Code Clubs, Raspberry Pi• Family learning• Pilots and new partnerships• Expect to launch in November 2015
Access to Research Journals• Gives free, walk-in access to 10,000 academic
articles and research in public libraries across the UK
• Two year pilot from Feb 2014 – Feb 2016 • Subjects include art, architecture, business,
engineering, history, languages, politics, philosophy, mathematics and the sciences
• All content provided is digital and available in the library
