Agenda item

Report of the Cabinet Member for Communities

Members considered a draft report and presentation on the Staffordshire Library Service 2020-2025 which was to be taken to Cabinet on 19 February 2020, which outlined the range of activity which took place across Staffordshire Libraries and the value that this activity delivered within communities.  Cabinet would also be asked to endorse and agree the reviewed support package for the community managed library model which would enable the sustainability of Community Managed Libraries and support their work within communities.  Cabinet would also be asked to agree the key milestones and overall timescale.

It was acknowledged that the transformation of the Library Service had been well managed, and Staffordshire had a Community Managed Library Network and support offer that was nationally recognised as best practice.  To ensure the continued success of Staffordshire County Council’s community managed library model, ongoing support and investment was essential.  Members acknowledged that there was a risk that Community Libraries might fail if the level of support was reduced.  Concern was expressed over volunteers being asked to do more in relation to cleaning and grounds maintenance and that this could lead to a reduction in volunteers’ goodwill.  Members were informed that discussions had begun with community managed organisations on the Cabinet report and were assured that it was not the intention to put an onerous burden on the volunteers. 

The committee recognised that there was a high level of satisfaction with the library service, and members referred to a number of examples of successful libraries in their local areas which had expanded the service offer and asked if these were typical.  They were informed that all of the Community Managed Libraries had worked hard at providing an offer that was appropriate to their community setting, combined with a statutory duty to provide “a comprehensive and efficient library service for all persons”.  For example some of the libraries focused on employment and training, others had focused more on activities for children and young people.  There was a great variety of offer and none of them were exactly the same.  A member commented that it would be important to ensure that the service was sustained and improved in the future. 

The committee acknowledged the wonderful contribution made by local volunteers and commented that it was very important to provide support and training for them.  They were informed that there was a very good training package and every effort was made to ensure that the volunteers at the Community Managed Libraries did not fall behind the County Council managed libraries.  When the new IT was being rolled out the volunteers had a training package which was akin to the County Council’s workforce.  

The committee thanked both the officers and volunteers for their hard work and resilience.

RESOLVED – That:

a)    The draft recommendations to Cabinet contained within the Staffordshire Library Service 2020-2025 report be noted;

b)    The range of activity which takes place across Staffordshire Libraries and the value that this activity delivers within communities be noted; and

c)    The comments of the Prosperous Staffordshire Select Committee on the overall direction of travel for the Library Service and the proposed support package for the community managed library model which will enable the sustainability of the community managed libraries and support their work within communities be fed back to the Cabinet at their meeting on 19 February 2020.