The Changing Face of Public Libraries Ciara Eastell Head of Libraries, Culture and Heritage Devon County Council President, 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 Taskforce To 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 2015/16 Digital 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 policie s, 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: Baseline Public 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

@CiaraEastell How might we work together?