Agenda item

Purpose: To present the findings of the 2021/22 Libraries Review. This follow-up review sets out to ensure that the service remains fit for purpose and meets community needs after the library transformation work which took place in 2016/17.

Felicity Harrison (Acting Culture and Libraries Manager) presented the report on the Libraries Review (Agenda Item 8).

Councillor Howard Woollaston was invited to comment as Executive Portfolio Holder for Housing, Leisure and Culture. He acknowledged the work of the Culture and Libraries Manager and thanked the volunteers who worked in the libraries. He stressed that the Council was committed to maintaining and expanding the libraries service, but acknowledged that there were funding issues and the challenging financial environment. The Peer Review had been very supportive. A gap in the north of the district needed to be addressed, and there was a commitment of £1.2 million in the budget to replace Thatcham Library, which was too small and in the wrong location. The mobile library was at the end of its useful life and the aspiration was to replace this with an electric vehicle.

The following points were raised in the debate:

·         Usage trends were queried, since the number of visits had decreased, but the number of items borrowed had been stable and the number of website visits had increased. Officers confirmed that library loans were up 19% comparted to pre-pandemic levels, but visitor numbers were still below pre-pandemic levels. New members were also up by 19%. A key factor was that online usage had increased during the pandemic and had remained high. Visitor numbers were still slowly recovering.

·         Members asked if people were spending more time in the libraries due to the rising cost of living. It was confirmed that the libraries had been designated as warm hubs and post-Christmas messaging had focused on how the libraries were warm and welcoming and provided a free service. The service was also trying to link with community cafés across the district, such as the one at Speen.

·         A question was asked about how the funding shortfall from town / parish councils would be addressed. It was confirmed that the budget shortfall was £150,000. Initially, town / parish councils had contributed around £90,000, but that had reduced over time. Some were contributing more than the suggested £1 per head of population. It was suggested that further liaison was needed to understand what town / parish councils wanted from the service. It was noted that the level of service was currently the same regardless of whether or not local contributions were made, but this may not be sustainable in future.

·         It was suggested that parish councils didn’t have funds to spare. From a user’s perspective, it didn’t matter where the funds came from and there would be a precept levied from one or other party to cover the costs.

·         It was noted that West Berkshire Council had a legal responsibility to provide a libraries service, but this was only to provide a central library. Providing more than the minimum service required additional funds and volunteers.

·         Members highlighted the use of old data in the report. It was explained that the data was current when the report had originally been written.

·         A question was asked about whether the Libraries Service derived any income from new uses such as community cafés. It was confirmed that there was no additional income, but the service benefited from additional customers coming into the libraries.

·         Member asked about the differences between ‘priorities’, ‘review recommendations’ and ‘opportunities for future investment’, and it was suggested that these should be aligned.  Also, it was suggested that these should have timelines.

·         Members asked about the granularity of user data and whether this could be used to predict how the service would change in future. It was confirmed that more people were using e-library functions. Also, usage of the physical buildings was changing, e.g. using Wi-Fi, using computers, attending craft and chat groups, attending rhyme time sessions, etc.

·         A question was asked about staff training and whether staff had the skills to facilitate to help users to make the most of the services available. It was confirmed that staff were constantly being upskilled, but some individuals found the technical side more challenging. However, the service had a Digital Services Officer and specialist IT volunteers to support customers. It was highlighted that customers sometimes asked for help with using their own IT equipment. Also, extensive training had been provided for staff on the new libraries app.

·         Members asked if there was scope to change mobile libraries stops to tie in with other regular local events. It was confirmed that stops were constantly being monitored and reviewed. For example the Speen stop had moved from a sheltered housing site to a community café. Use of the mobile libraries service was declining and alternatives were being considered, such as through the at-home service, or pop-up libraries in village halls.

·         It was highlighted that the Hungerford Library had been taken on by a local charity and Members asked if there was scope to use this model elsewhere. Officers agreed that the model worked well and was a win-win situation and they were looking at introducing it in other parts of the district.

·         It was noted that the charity had been billed for business rates when they had started to sell items from a spare room at the library. Officers confirmed that this issue had been resolved.

·         Members asked whether there would be an issue with borrowers not returning books if fines were abolished and whether a points system would be needed for persistent offenders. Officers confirmed that library fines were a known barrier to library usage. Around 40 local authorities had abolished them already and there had been no issue with people failing to return books.

·         It was suggested that data should be up to date and that decisions should not be made on data from abnormal conditions, such as the Covid pandemic or the current cost of living situation.

·         Members queried whether the financial summary was showing that cuts were proposed. It was confirmed that the figures related to reduced running costs and that no cuts were proposed.

·         It was suggested that before the report went to the Executive, the Library Review’s recommendations should be developed into a draft vision / charter. It was noted that aspirations would be constrained by finances, so the next step after preparing a strategy would be to agree a budget for implementation. Members also suggested that the data in the report should be updated.

Actions:

·         Consult with town / parish councils to understand what they wanted from the service

·         Ensure that ‘priorities’, ‘review recommendations’ and ‘opportunities for future investment are aligned and that targets are set.

·         Libraries report to be updated before submitting it to the Executive.