National Strategy for Public Libraries
in Scotland
Strategic Group Meeting
7th July 2014
National Library of Scotland
Present: Martyn Evans (Chair), Trish Botten, Duncan Campbell, Jeanette Castle, Anne Dagg, Gillian
Daly, Cleo Jones, Martina McChrystal, Sophie Moxon, Jenny Niven, Jenny Peachey, Amina Shah,
Marion Sinclair, Claire Stevens, Jennifer Wallace, Alana Ward, Rosemary Ward
Apologies: Caroline Johnston, Louise Macdonald, Robert Ruthven, Helen Milner
1 Welcome and Overview
Martyn Evans welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked the National Library for the
accommodation. Martyn has been asked by the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) to
chair this group to develop a strategy for public libraries in Scotland. SLIC will provide a secretariat
and a draft strategy will be taken to the COSLA Sports, Arts and Culture Working Group, chaired by
the Cabinet Secretary, for approval at their Spring 2015 meeting.
It is important for all involved to be clear on the status of the group and that members are acting as
individuals and offering personal contribution and commitment, not acting as representatives of
organisations. To confirm this agreement, each group member will be sent a formal invitation to
confirm their commitment to the group.
SLIC
The Chatham house rule will apply (the rule is that participants are free to use the information
received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant
may be revealed) and all papers will be confidential until agreed otherwise.
The group must be free to discuss controversial issues and the report will be strengthened by delving
into all areas in a free discussion.
Martyn outlined some of the processes that will be involved in collecting evidence from various
stakeholders. There will be a call for evidence and a formal mechanism for public engagement and
engaging nonusers. Jennifer Wallace, Head of Policy for Carnegie UK has considerable experience
in this area and will act as an observer and adviser to the group.
2 Introductions
ME
Group members introduced themselves. Martyn Evans has also invited Peter Peacock, Community
Land Scotland and Ian McKay, Regional Chairman of the Institute of Directors to join the group.
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3 Why a National Strategy?
Jenny Peachey (JP) outlined the need for a national strategy as highlighted by Carnegie UK Trust in
their 2012 paper A New Chapter: Public Library Services in the 21st Century.
http://www.carnegieuktrust.org.uk/getattachment/c00fe2ce-cde3-4ea4-9dfd-bc28cd183437/A-NewChapter---Discussion-Paper.aspx
There is a lack of an agreed vision for libraries and this can inhibit their ability to collectively deliver on
strategic policy objectives. Carnegie UK Trust argued that national policy and leadership was critical
in:
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Ensuring a core and consistent library offer around issues such as learning, leisure, reading,
wellbeing, heritage and digital;
Enabling libraries to respond effectively to spending cuts across local authority boundaries;
Ensuring appropriate engagement and involvement of local communities in decisions about
proposed changes or developments of public library services;
Promoting the most effective use of IT to improve efficiency and the way in which library
services are provided;
Providing guidance on alternative models of provision such as arm’s length trusts, community
managed services and the use of volunteers;
Promoting the role of public libraries in promoting digital inclusion and participation; and
Setting out criteria for library services which relate directly to measures of wellbeing.
The group agreed in principle to the proposal that there be a national strategy for public libraries in
Scotland. Members discussed the following issues:
 The need to explore how libraries contribute to indicators within single outcome agreements
and a continuing need for indicators that can demonstrate the impact of libraries. While
libraries contribute to many indicators, the most relevant national indicator 14, on responsive
public services, was seen as inadequate due to its general nature.
 The inclusion of school libraries, HE and FE in this strategy.
 The safe, neutral public space as a feature of libraries and the potential to develop this to
meet wider policy objectives. Research has shown that people are willing to attend a library
even when they are reluctant to access other government run services.
 The concern that the exercise might be perceived to be taken as a step in direction of national
library service.
 That it will be essential to retain local input in the library servicer in order to reflect the specific
requirements of communities.
 The tension between the term ‘professional librarians’ and other library staff. A large number
of people who work in libraries aren't librarians. Many essential services don’t necessarily
require a qualified librarian.
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4 Presentation from SLIC on the current landscape
Amina Shah (AS) delivered a presentation on current landscape in Scotland. Unlike
England, Scottish Libraries have seen very few closures recently although there have
been some, most notably Moray Council who closed four libraries in 2013. Scotland has
over 500 libraries as well as fleets of mobile vehicles. These are managed in 32 local
authority regions. 72% of library services are managed by councils where they might sit
within community services, customer services or education. 28% are part of charitable
trusts where they might work alongside other cultural or leisure services. This is a
constantly evolving picture as more authorities chose to develop arms-length trusts and
has an impact on the priorities of the services. According to the CIPFA stats there were
28 million visits, 10 million virtual visits, 22 million loans and 8.7 million hours of free
internet access. The 32 authorities use 7 different library management systems and
there is a very varied picture re Wi-Fi access with some offering no access and others full
Wi-Fi across all locations.
SLIC
This presentation will be made available on the SLIC website for information.
4.1 Experiences from other countries
There are a number of excellent examples of national strategies from across
the world. A sample of these are available as background reading material
on the SLIC website – www.scottishlibraries.org/strategy
SLIC
4.2 Ambition for Scottish Libraries
It was agreed that although we can learn from other strategies, a Scottish
strategy would need to reflect our specific social and political context.
The Chair asked for more information on overall costs of library provision and
the recent EKOS survey commissioned by VOCAL was highlighted. This has
not been released yet and AS pointed out the ALMA UK Return on
Investment work. Copies of these will be shared with the group, when
released, via the SLIC website.
JC/AS
5 How will we move towards developing a strategy?
Process of information gathering.
The Chair reiterated the process of evidence gathering through:
 Analysis of existing research and evidence.
 A call for evidence issued to stakeholder groups and other interested
parties, issued by the Strategy Group.
 Public engagement activities, such as deliberative focus groups,
commissioned from expert researchers.
 Evidence sessions where experts and representatives are invited to
the Strategy Group to explore specific issues. There is also the
potential for study trips to take place to visit examples of innovative
practice.
There was agreement within the group that there is a need for a specific
meeting on digital issues. Helen Milner from Tinder Foundation will be able
to give a UK perspective on this and it was recognised that it will be important
to engage with SCVO who are working with the Scottish Government to take
forward their digital strategy.
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There was some discussion about IT issues and revenue implications for
joint procurement and it will be beneficial to engage with people who work on
the IT side to have a fuller understanding of what the issues are.
SLIC
Through the Chair, the group will also be in contact with the Seighart Review
of Public Libraries in England (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/williamsieghart-to-chair-panel-to-produce-independent-report-on-englands-publiclibrary-service).
6 Key dates and Meetings
16th July 2014, Heads of Public Library Service Advisory Group Meeting.
27th August 2014, COSLA meeting – (SLIC, NLS and Carnegie UK Trust)
Strategic Group Meeting Dates
Friday 29th August – Glasgow (venue TBC)
Tuesday 30th September – Edinburgh (venue TBC)
Tuesday 4th November – Edinburgh (venue TBC)
Tuesday 2nd December – Edinburgh (venue TBC)
Tuesday 13th January – Dunfermline (TBC)
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