Society of Chief Librarians (SCL) response to the Independent Report on Public Libraries
The Society of Chief Librarians (SCL) leads and manages public libraries in England, Wales and
Northern Ireland. SCL is made up of the head of service of every library service, and advocates for
continuous improvement of the public library service on behalf of local people. We lead and
manage the Universal Offers focused on reading, digital, health, information and learning.
In summary, the Society of Chief Librarians:
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Welcomes the findings of the Independent Report and endorses its recommendations.
Agrees with the analysis of the public library sector by William Sieghart and his panel, and
commends the thoroughness of the approach in visiting large numbers of libraries across the
country and rigorously analysing and assessing all the written and verbal submissions to the
panel.
Believes that the key conclusion for Government, both Central and Local, is that public
libraries support the delivery of a wide range of key policy agendas and, with appropriate
investment from relevant parts of Government, could do even more in the future as vibrant
community hubs. Public library services have a successful track record in delivering high
impact work for modest investment.
Would highlight the successful rollout of the Universal Offers across libraries and would
recommend that this should provide a key element of the framework for a nationally
structured, locally delivered strategy arising out of the Task and Finish group.
Welcomes the case the Independent Report makes for pubic libraries’ future digital role and
contribution.
Would have welcomed a commitment to investment in public libraries to support the report.
Looks forward to working with DCMS and colleagues on the Task and Finish group to secure
appropriate investment, particularly for universally available wi-fi, and the infrastructure
upgrades necessary to exploit it. Universal free wi-fi coverage would, in SCL's view, enable all
libraries, rural and urban, large and small to play a proactive role in their local communities
and to meet national policy objectives.
Looks forward to contributing positively and proactively in the proposed task and finish
group. We would welcome greater clarity on the accountability, scope and membership of
the group.
Investment in digital
SCL welcomes the Report’s endorsement of a bold and imaginative digital future for libraries. There
is huge potential for public libraries to build on their strong track record in enabling access to digital
services. The People’s Network did this over 10 years ago providing free internet access in all
libraries through fixed PC access. We now need to ensure that all libraries, large and small, urban
and rural, are able to offer free wi-fi within their communities.
SCL firmly believes the modest investment required to provide universal wi-fi, along with the
devices and staff skills to maximise the investment, would generate unprecedented social and
community value locally and would facilitate the development of new and potentially significant
partnerships nationally which could create a step change in the way public library services can
support digital inclusion and economic development agendas.
Securing investment – whether from government, private sector or other sources or a combination
thereof – would be a positive endorsement of the Report’s key finding that libraries can deliver so
much more in their communities for people of all ages and backgrounds. SCL would be happy to
support and contribute to any activities that would deliver this investment. To maintain the
momentum and enthusiasm which has been growing around the report it is absolutely essential that
this investment is secured within the next 6 months.
SCL has significantly re-positioned its focus around digital, through the e-lending pilots; research into
the digital leadership needs of the sector and through supporting the mapping of current wi-fi
availability. In early 2015, SCL will deliver a digital leadership programme for 17 leaders and
aspiring leaders of library services across the country. If the pilot proves successful, the programme
offers scope to enable the whole sector to raise its digital game, improving procurement practices;
using data more effectively and maximising the benefits of partnerships. In 2015, SCL will, through
funding from Arts Council England (ACE), have a blueprint for a Universal Digital Presence for public
libraries – a digital point of entry focused on the interests and needs of library users and potential
users.
Both the digital leadership programme and the digital presence should be key building blocks for the
proposed Task and Finish Group.
Universal Offers
The Society of Chief Librarians (SCL) has developed four Universal Offers focused on libraries' core
role supporting reading, digital, health and information. A fifth offer around learning is currently in
development. Since their introduction in 2013, the Universal Offers have gained a high level of
recognition and support within the public library sector with over 80% of library services signing up
to all 4 offers. Resources to develop the Universal Offers have been secured through Arts Council
England in recognition of the ability of the Universal Offers to deliver on the priorities identified
within ACE’s Envisioning Libraries of the Future (2012/13).
The Universal Offers enable public library services to look beyond the local and now everyday
challenges of ‘firefighting’ the potential impact of local authority budget reductions and provide a
range of proactive and positive opportunities to develop innovative services within an overall
framework. There is a growing evidence base that demonstrates the Universal Offers are leading to
increased innovation and improvement within library services.
The Universal Offers provide a package of partnerships, resources and advocacy messages at a
national level which can be delivered locally, shaped to meet local needs. The offers have been
informed by customer research, tested with partners and developed in conjunction with The
Reading Agency and Arts Council England. Over 80% of library services have signed up to all four
offers. The offers enable library services across the country to share costs and resources - they
provide value for money ensuring that library services are not duplicating energy and funds on
developing individual offers/schemes across 151 individual library authorities. The national Reading
Well Books on Prescription initiative is one example of innovation which has emerged from the
Universal Offers. In the first 12 months of the scheme, 275,000 people across the country had used
the service and over 70% said it had helped them feel more in control of their condition. There has
also been a 113% increase in loans of the titles on the list. A dementia version of the scheme will
launch in January 2015.
Task and Finish Group
William Sieghart is clear: he does not want his report to languish on a shelf. Nor do we and we can
engage and enthuse the sector to ensure that this does not happen. This important Report must
lead to proactive and ambitious action which enables local authorities to understand the huge
potential they have in their local library services. This will not be easy. Everyone recognises that
continued austerity will continue to impact on local authorities and the role of local government is
evolving into something new.
Libraries need to find their place in this changing landscape and they need strong advocates who can
articulate clearly what libraries do and how they benefit wellbeing, economic development and
community resilience. The Task and Finish Group has the potential to bring together strong and
influential partners, who should become a part of this championing body. If the Task and Finish
Group is to be a credible force it must have clear governance, a plan and the appropriate resources,
to deliver on the recommendations of the Report.
SCL has an enormous contribution to make to the Task and Finish Group. Our members are the
leaders and managers of public library services across the country. There is a huge body of
professional experience to draw on and an ambition, despite all the challenges, from SCL’s members
and their teams, to enable public libraries to continue to meet local people’s needs. It is a hugely
challenging time and we welcome the opportunity to work in a fresh, new way with partners and
stakeholders, putting aside historic boundaries to focus on the real challenge: sustaining and
building the nation’s public libraries as vibrant and sustainable hubs.
Independent Report
priority
Workforce development
SCL & Universal Offers – Highlights of Existing & Planned Activity
Workforce development
Information Offer training: Developed Digital Information Skills training,
with funding from Arts Council, to ensure that people who work in
libraries have the tools needed to help library customers access lifecritical digital resources. More than 5000 library staff have completed the
e-learning platform since the beginning of September and 93% would
happily recommend the training to peers.
Workforce development /
Digital
Digital Leadership Programme: 17 Leaders and aspiring library leaders
participating in pilot digital leadership programme from Dec 14 – March
15. Based on research commissioned by SCL and funded by ACE
published in 2014 – see http://www.goscl.com/universal-offers/digitaloffer/digital-leadership-skills/
Digital Library Network
Universal Digital Presence: SCL commissioning Stage 1 research and
development for an innovative and compelling universal digital presence
for library customers and potential customers. R & D phase completed
by April 2015.
Digital Inclusion Pilots: SCL working with GDS to undertake digital
inclusion pilots in partnership with the Government’s Digital Inclusion
signatories
E-lending pilots: SCL jointly managing the e-lending pilots which will
Digital Inclusion
E-lending
Internships in public libraries across England. Outcome of bid to Arts
Council’s Creative Employment Programme known in early Jan 2015.
Would secure £137,500 to fund 50 internships. Each intern would focus
on one of the 4 Universal Offers and would be supported to develop their
employability skills in libraries.
Community involvement
Partnerships
Community & wellbeing
report in March 2015.
SCL Masterclass on models of community involvement planned for April
2015.
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB): SCL developing a national partnership
approach with CAB, with input of GDS, to facilitate and enable high
quality local partnership discussions between library services and CAB
around potential for co-location and joint working on digital inclusion.
Dementia Books on Prescription: Planned ministerial launch on 26th
January 2015.