Mobile Libraries
February 2009
Report of the Topic Group
Index
1.0
Purpose of Report
3
2.0
Recommendations
3
3.0
Background
4
4.0
Conclusions
5
5.0
Members, Witnesses and Officers
6
Appendix 1 Scoping Document
7
2
Mobile Library Services Report
1.0
Purpose of Report
1.1 This is the report of the Mobile Library Services Topic Group which looks
at the future of the service, in particular its scope, resources and the services
offered.
1.2 The Scoping document can be seen at Appendix 1. The papers issued to
members prior to the meeting can be found at:
2.0
Recommendations
2.1 In recognition of the value of the Mobile Library Service to the
community of Hertfordshire every possible support should be provided to
ensure that the level of staffing is maintained in order that there is no
deterioration in the service.(4.1 ,4.2, 4.5)
2.2 To support an increase in the budget to cover the costs of changes to
legislation specifically the removal of C1 entitlement from the driving licence
and the introduction of the CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence).
(4.3)
2.3 To explore partnerships with neighbouring authorities such as joint
funding for mobile library services that are required in border areas. (4.4)
2.4 That Herts Property aims to mitigate the impact of residential
development by seeking to secure planning obligations towards local library
facilities. (4.4)
2.5 That the service undertakes further preparation and research required in
order to develop a deliverable vision for the mobile service. This needs to
include undertaking a cost benefit analysis to assist in decisions about the
future direction of the service. (4.6)
3
3 Background
3.1 The Hertfordshire Library Service provides a comprehensive mobile
service which visits most communities in the county and serves all age
groups. It has:

A total 15 mobile libraries of which two are relief vehicles. 5 of
these vehicles are urban mobiles, 5 rural mobiles and 3 are
Community Service Mobiles visiting facilities such as residential
homes, sheltered housing and day centres.

urban mobiles operate on a weekly rota with 53 stops in 9
settlements

rural mobiles operate on a fortnightly rota with 306 stops in 173
localities

Community Service Mobiles operate on a three weekly rota with
218 stops visiting places such as residential homes, sheltered
housing and day centres.
3.2 Further background information on the service can be seen at:
http://www.hertsdirect.org/libsleisure/libraries/
3.3 The scrutiny focussed on

Single staffing issues including recruitment and retention,

Vehicle replacement,

The comprehensive nature of the service

IT issues
3.4 Details of the discussion that took place in the day can be found in the
minutes at:
http://www.hertsdirect.org/yrccouncil/civic_calendar/
archive/M20Librariesmobile%%20Services%20Topic%
4
4 Conclusions
4.1 Members were pleased to hear the value communities in Hertfordshire
attached to their mobile library service recognising its importance as a
community asset and the social inclusion role it plays. They welcomed the
comprehensive nature of the service which visits most communities in
Hertfordshire and serves all age groups. They recognised that for some
residents the mobile service is the main contact they have with the County
Council meaning the image presented by a clean and tidy vehicle along with a
personable Library Assistant/Driver is key. Members felt all these factors
were present on the mobiles they visited. They also recognised the
contribution the mobile library service makes to Hertfordshire’s Sustainable
Community Strategy and meeting the HCC Challenges.
4.2 Members welcomed the anecdotal evidence they heard that other
authorities were envious of the overall service in Hertfordshire in particular the
increase in numbers attending the various types of libraries, the consequent
rise in issues and the comprehensive nature of the county’s mobile library
service.
4.3 Members were advised that changes to legislation meant that anyone
obtaining a driving licence after January 1997 did not have the entitlement to
drive C1 vehicles (those up to 7.5 tonnes). This is reducing the pool of people
to recruit from as Library/Assistant/Drivers. In the longer term the library
service may have to pay for staff to obtain the licence. There is also a
requirement for drivers to acquire a CPC (Certificate of Professional
Competence). Both of these could be a pressure on library service budgets,
the management of staff time, planning and retention issues.
4.4 Members felt that on the borders of Hertfordshire there might
be locations where joint funding for a mobile library service by two authorities
would be possible. They also felt the Section 106 agreements requiring
provision of a library service may be possible for some new developments.
There may also be other opportunities for partnership work in the delivery and
provision of services particularly to rural communities and in the purchase of
mobile library vehicles. This could result in lower costs.
4.5 Members heard that IT on mobile libraries was currently only available on
staff terminals and that there have been problems with reliability and
connectivity. This has meant that it has not been possible to introduce PCs
for library users. They were pleased to hear solutions were being explored
including using a variety of providers to address the various reliability and
connectivity issues.
4.6 Looking to the future it is anticipated that the population in Hertfordshire
will increase by 18.4% in 2031 with the biggest growth occurring in those who
have reached retirement age. This means real potential growth for the Library
Service. Members recognised the service will have to do considerable
planning and preparation in order to cope with these changes. This should
include undertaking a cost benefit analysis to assist the service in making
5
decisions about its future direction. At this stage they felt unable to provide a
steer on the future development of the service until further work had been
completed.
5.0 Members, Witnesses and Officers
Members
Audrey Oaten (Chairman)
Roy Clements (Vice-Chairman)
Nigel Agar
Tony Dodd
Peter Ruffles
Witnesses
Neil Baxter
Lisa Gorsuch
Jean Holmes
Wanda Hornsey
Derek Knight
Michelle Murphy
Alan Smith
Peter Shaw
Glenda Wood
Acting Mobile Services Manager
Library Assistant/Driver
Head of Logistics and Continuity
Library Assistant/Driver
Head of Operations, Planning and Performance
Property Project Manager
Head of Contract Management Services
Unit Manager Network Development and
Support
Head of Libraries, Culture and Learning
Officers
Elaine Gibson
Tom Hawkyard
Faiza Iqbal
Democratic Services
Head of Statutory Services
Trainee Solicitor
6
Overview and Scrutiny Committee
7
TOPIC: Mobile Library Services
FRAMEWORK FOR SCRUTINY:
Issues and Questions to be addressed:
The 2003 Libraries Best Value Review recommended the introduction of single
staffing on all mobile libraries and a review of the mobile service route network to
create ‘fewer but longer stops’. Single staffing was implemented in April 2004 and
new routes were implemented in 2006 following an extensive route review process.
These changes have modernised the delivery of the service and achieved the budget
efficiencies required from the Best Value Review. The impact on the service was
evaluated further in the Mobile Services Equalities Impact Assessment in 2007/08.
The Mobile service is delivered through a fleet of vehicles comprising: 5 Urban
Mobiles; 5 Rural mobiles; 3 Community Service vehicles; 1 Centres delivery van.
Issues facing the service are:
1. Ensuring that the specifications for the fleet replacement programme (starting
2010-11) deliver fit for purpose vehicles
2. Managing the implications of legislative changes affecting the recruitment and
training of mobile library drivers
Specific questions on the future of the service arising from these issues are:
3. What is the suitability of the present level of provision given future projections of
social and demographic change, e.g. delivery routes, provision of resources
and ability to provide access to information?
4. To consider the impact of potential changes on both vulnerable groups and the
wider communities currently served
Constraints (what is not to be included in the scope of the review)
Cassettes for Blind People Service
Static libraries
Schools Library Service Mobile
METHOD: One-off Topic
Group
Target Start date: Friday 27 February 2009
MEMBERSHIP:
Roy Clements (VC), John Lloyd (VC), Tony Dodd, Peter Ruffles, Audrey Oaten
(Chairman)
SOURCES OF EVIDENCE:
Best Value review of library services Improvement Plan 2003
Mobile service review report – Libraries Panel March 2005
HCC Sustainable Community Strategy
Mobile Services Equality Impact Assessment 2008
WITNESSES:
Alan Smith – Head of Contract Management Services
Peter Shaw – IT Network Design
8
HOW THE ITEM HELPS DELIVER HCC’s
CHALLENGES
to be updated
The HCC challenges
1. Helping people feel safe &
secure
2. Maximising opportunities
for children & young
people
3. Supporting the
independence of the
growing number of older
people
4. Tackling the causes and
impact of congestion
5.
Dealing with worn out
roads and pavements
6. Reducing the impact of
new development on the
environment
7. Maximising efficiency
savings
HOW THE ITEM DELIVERS THE CfPS (Centre for
Public Scrutiny) OBJECTIVES
SUPPORT:
Scrutiny Officer: Tom Hawkyard
CfPS Objectives
 Provides ‘critical friend’
challenge to executive
policy-makers and
decision-makers
 Enables the voice and
concerns of the public
 Is carried out by
‘independent minded
governors’ who lead and
own the scrutiny role
 Drives improvement in
public services
Democratic
Services: Elaine Gibson
Lead Service Advisor: Derek Knight
Approved by Overview & Scrutiny Committee on:
9