Agenda item
Libraries
Find out about the Library Services and ‘Explore’ Central Library plans.
Minutes:
Sarah Garbacz introduced the planned refurbishment of York Central Library as an Explore Library and talked about the range of services offered by the Library Service.
4.1 There are 14 libraries in York, as well as a mobile library and home library service. The Explore development at the Central Library will be the third Library Learning Centre in York, following Acomb and Earswick.
4.2 The services offered by the libraries include: IT training sessions, research into family history and display facilities for community groups.
4.3 York libraries are visited by 80,000 people every month; 2,500 people took part in the Big City Read; 1 in 5 children took part in the 2008 Summer Reading Challenge; 14,400 joined the library last year; they lend over 1 million books a year.
Residents asked the following questions:
Q. One resident took the opportunity to commend the library service, especially the mobile library service.
A. The response was given that they receive a lot of positive feedback about the mobile library service.
Q. Is it possible to arrange a presentation about the library service to a local group?
A. The response was given that the library service would welcome the opportunity to promote the range of services they offer. If any groups are interested, they should get in touch with Sarah Garbacz.
Q. What’s the trend in the use of library services?
A. The response was given that York Libraries are bucking the national trend. Nationally, libraries are reporting a decrease in the number of people borrowing books, but in York there is an increase in the number of visitors to the library and an increase in the number of people borrowing books. York Libraries have jumped to 18th place in the national rankings.
Q. Do you think there might be some conflict between the café and lending services at the refurbished library?
A. The response was given that they will be spending £100,000 on new books as part of the refurbishment. The library stock is currently between 60,000-70,000; they want to increase this to 100,000.
Q. Will there be an increase in the number of paperbacks?
A. The response was given that there would be an increase in the number of paperbacks. Consultation has shown that people prefer paperbacks, so they will be shifting the emphasis from hardbacks to paperbacks; currently 50% of stock is in paperback, but they are hoping to expand this to 80%.
Q. Yortime was an excellent internet service. Will it be restored?
A. The response was given that the Yortime site will be relaunched as a more interactive website.
Q. What are the details of the refurbishment?
A. The response was given that like Acomb Library, the refurbished Central library will be more accessible, opening up the available space, opening a café, buying new stock, replacing the existing furniture, and maintaining the identity of the listed building in keeping with the advice of conservationists.
Q. How much will the refurbishment cost?
A. The response was given that the refurbishment will occur in three phases. Phase 1 will cost £500,000 and will involve changes to the interior, furniture and structural changes.
Q. Will it include a conference centre?
A. The response was given that there will be a suite of meeting rooms to cater for groups of 15-50 people. The rooms will be free to community groups on Saturdays and will facilitate the focus on learning and planned programme of adult education classes. They would also like to include a performance space, which would facilitate author events.