AGENDA ITEM NO: 11
REPORT TO:
Executive Board
REPORT NO:
COLLC/18/09
DATE:
7 July 2009
LEAD MEMBER:
Councillor Bob Dutton, OBE
(Communities and Performance)
LEAD OFFICER
Chief Leisure, Libraries and Culture Officer
Chief Information Systems Officer
CONTACT OFFICER:
Dylan Hughes (Tel: 297442)
SUBJECT:
Wales Audit Office Safe Internet in
Libraries Report
WARD:
All
PURPOSE OF THE REPORT
1 To inform the Executive Board of the Wales Audit Office report on Safe Internet
provision in Wrexham’s Libraries
2
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
2.1
The Wales Audit Office have completed a report entitled Safe Internet Libraries (May 2009) following an assessment of the provision of public
internet access in the Council’s Libraries.
2.2
The overall conclusion of the report is that the Council provides citizens with a
safe and effective internet service.
2.3
The Wales Audit Office has made two recommendations for further action to
improve the overall service and an action plan is attached.
3
RECOMMENDATION
That the Executive Board notes the report by the Wales Audit Office and
approves the proposed actions in respect of the two recommendations
in paragraph 4.4 of this report for further action.
REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION
To respond to the Wales Audit Report.
Alan Watkin
Chief Leisure, Libraries and Culture Officer
4. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
4.1
The Wales Audit Office (WAO), as part of its national risk assessment,
identified broadband use by the public in libraries as a national risk. Wrexham
was selected as one of the first Local Authorities to be assessed in response
to this between October 2008 and April 2009. The final WAO report has been
placed in the Members’ library.
4.2
The report recognizes that the internet “provides valuable learning
opportunities by facilitating access to wealth of information, opportunities for
communicating and shared learning” whilst also recognizing that there are
“risks through potential misuse”. In undertaking the review, the WAO has
addressed a specific question: “Does the Council have adequate
arrangements in place to ensure that citizens use Council provided internet
facilities in Libraries safely, and responsibly?”
4.3
The Wales Audit Office assess that “Our overall conclusion is that the Council
provides citizens with a safe and effective internet service, supported by good
co-operation between library and IT staff.” The report notes in particular that:- terms and conditions are well established and clearly
communicated
- library staff are well trained and actively monitor the use of the
internet
- technical safeguards are in place to prevent unauthorized use
- engagement with users would enable the further development of
internet facilities
4.4
The main recommendations for further improvements are as follows:R1 Consider options for the provision of further information on terms
and conditions by September 2009, in particular:
o information is required by young people relating to possible
sanctions; and
o information about the process for blocking or unblocking
internet sites is required
R2 Consult in the autumn with the library internet users in order to help
the Council better understand users’ needs and in turn help the Council
refine the classification scheme to meet those needs. In order to further
meet the needs of different user groups, consideration should be
further given to the possibilities of age related classification schemes
4.5
A number of practical actions, some to be undertaken in conjunction with the
I.S. Department, are proposed in response to the above two
recommendations and these are listed in Appendix 1. In broad terms, these
actions relate to providing greater information to the customer.
4.6
The report is positive in terms of the internet provision in Wrexham’s Libraries
and reflects the considerable investment in technology (e.g. ICAM computer
booking software has now been introduced in the majority of libraries) to
provide a modern library service. The report recognizes the close working
arrangement between the Library Service and the I.S. Department. The report
also provides a sound basis for further development of public access
computer services such as the planned introduction of Wi-Fi in the refurbished
Wrexham Library.
5
CONSULTATION
The Wales Audit Office undertook a survey of user opinions as part of their
investigations. In response to the recommendations in the report, the Library
Service will undertake further user consultation during early autumn.
6
SCRUTINY COMMITTEE COMMENTS
The report has not been considered by a Scrutiny Committee
7
IMPLICATIONS
7.1
Policy Framework
The role of the Wales Audit Office is set out within the Wales Programme for
Improvement. The Council's regulatory plan is updated annually and is
informed by a joint risk assessment undertaken between the Council and its
regulators. The plan sets out the work that regulators - primarily the WAO will undertake during the year. The results of performance inspections are
reported to the Council and summaries published annually within the
Relationship Manager's Annual Letter.
7.2
Budget
No additional budgetary requirement
7.3
Legal
Any legal issues are identified in this report.
7.4
Staffing
There are no staffing implications
7.5
Other
An Equalities Impact Assessment is being undertaken on the ICT Acceptable
Use policy.
BACKGROUND PAPERS
LOCATION
Wales Audit Office: Safe
Internet – Libraries (May
2009)
Author: Jeremy Evans
Members’ Library
WEBSITE INFO.