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: 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.