Agenda item
Libraries Transformation Project
Members will receive a presentation from Sue Mckenzie (Head of Libraries, Arts and Heritage) and Jenny Isaac (Assistant Director, Neighbourhood Services). The presentation will update members on the progress of the project, focusing on the performance levels achieved in 2012/13 and outlining planned developments for Brent’s library service in 2013/14, including the new Wembley Library in the Civic Centre.
Minutes:
Sue McKenzie (Head of Libraries) gave a presentation on the current progress of the Library Transformation Project. The Committee were reminded that the vision for the project was that wherever people lived in the borough and however they used the library service they would have access to over six million books, they would have access to services online and they would have opportunities to learn, create and improve their life chances. This vision had been the basis of the project for the past three years.
Members were provided with details of how successful the project had been in 2012/2013 compared with 2011/2012. Book issues were slightly down by 2.3% in the six libraries now open compared to the twelve libraries open in 2011/2012. However visits to the six libraries were up, as were the number of new members by 35%. Customers were also 6% happier compared to the last CIPFA survey in 2009. The key reasons as to why the project had been successful, despite the closure of six libraries, had been because the library service had been working hard to ensure that the book stock they had reflected the books that users wanted to read. They had used an electronic programme that analysed which books had been borrowed at each of the libraries. It was added that the library service were also looking at other data sources, such as mosaic data, to ensure the most appropriate books were at the right libraries. It was noted that the Library Service had been able to increase their book stock by over 25% as they were now part of a book buying consortium.
Members were informed that children and young people made up over 50% of the users of Brent libraries and therefore the library service had paid particular attention to this demographic. They were also campaigning to ensure that all Brent school children had a library card. The library service had also increased the number of home visits it did to those who were unable to get to libraries, as well as the number of community locations it delivered books too.
Members were advised that the library service recognised that it had to increasingly ensure that resources were available online. Therefore it now had access to online encyclopaedias, online magazines as well as search facilities such as ‘ancestry’ and driving theory practice. The new Wembley Library, due to open on 17 June, would be completely wi-fi enabled, ensuring that customers would be able to get online from their own devices. There would also be 16 Ipads in the library for customer use. The Wembley Library would be the first library in Brent to have a café within it and it was hoped that the library and the café would be able to do joint promotions.
The library transformation project was due to be concluded at the end of June 2013. The project had delivered 85% of its 129 actions, with the rest due to be completed in the coming year. The priorities for the rest of the year would be to firstly support residents through the welfare reforms and recession. Its second priority would be to improve the CIPFA indicators compared to other London Boroughs. Lastly, the library service wanted to increase its number of e-books.
During member’s discussion, it was questioned what was happening to the museum at Willesden Green. Members also asked what the net difference was between people joining and people leaving the libraries, as well as how the libraries were going to prepare themselves to help people struggling with the new changes to the benefits system. Councillor Long informed the Committee that she had visited the new Willesden Green Library sites as well as Kingsbury Library and all were very well used. Councillor Chohan added that his constituents had informed him that they now found it much easier to find the books they needed.
In response to the issues raised, Sue McKenzie informed the Committee that the museum was currently on tour and had a number of events organised for the summer. There would be a museum in the new Willesden Green centre which would be much more visible and user friendly than the previous museum. In regards to the number of people leaving the library compared to joining there had been an overall drop in memberships. This was the norm for most London Boroughs who had such a transient population like Brent. However in the last 3 months there had been a net increase in memberships and the Libraries were looking to ensure this trend remained. Jenny Isaac (Assistant Director- Neighbourhood services) informed members that in November 2012 it was demonstrated that 48% of people who used one of the six libraries that had been closed were now using one of the six remaining libraries.
Sue McKenzie assured members that the library staff were being trained to help people who may need help with the changes to the benefits system. However it was added that the Enterprise Unit were going to bid for funding to get specifically trained staff to help people in libraries as well as it was recognised that this wasn’t the libraries staff area of expertise.
Members asked if the Library service would mind giving this presentation to Brent Connects and the Library service happily agreed.