Agenda item

This report presents the background to the Council’s consultation on its vision for the future of its library services and explains the approach taken. The analysis of the results will be completed in time for the meeting and will be presented on the evening. The committee will be invited to discuss amendment of the vision to reflect the views expressed in the consultation.

Members considered a report which presented the background to the Council’s consultation on its vision for the future of its library services and explained the approach taken. A document setting out the main consultation findings had been circulated to Members in advance of the meeting and copies of the detailed analysis of each of the consultation components set out in the cover report were circulated (and added to the online agenda following the meeting). This comprised the online library survey, the on-street library survey, a write up of the views of the stakeholder groups and the results of the budget consultation 2018-19 on library services. Members were asked to consider whether they felt any amendments were required to the revised vision to reflect the views expressed in the consultation.

The Assistant Director (Communities and Equalities) reported on the findings contained in each of the four documents. He and the Chief Executive of York Explore, responded to and provided further information in relation to particular issues raised during discussion and the following comments were noted:

·        Overall the consultation showed very positive results

·        Concern was expressed that “longer/more improved” opening hours were grouped together in the consultation and précis of results – however it was clear that users would benefit from more flexible library opening hours 

·        Need to consider ways to build on customer base – noting difficulties getting young people/teenagers to engage with the services offered by libraries.

·        Need to ensure services are available for all residents and that they reflect their needs

·        Need to consider flexible operation of buildings – so they can remain open longer so that people can have access through self issue.

·        Opening hours have already been changed (without reducing total number of hours open) in some libraries to meet local demand – Discussion is ongoing with communities about when they want libraries to be open.

·        There is a solid base of volunteering offers – volunteers are key to driving libraries forward

·        Better information needs to be available about what libraries offer – there is a need to get this message across better.

·        The vision needs to reflect the fact that there will be different needs at different locations around York.

·        The report on discussions at stake holder meetings showed strong support for bringing other community activities together with libraries.

It was noted that under the Explore Gateways heading of the revised draft vision it read “Offered in a variety of venues, preferably with cafe facilities, these libraries should be co-located with other community activities ....” where previously the word “should” read “could”. In order to acknowledge the differences in options for configuration of suburban and village libraries and the challenges around this, it was suggested that it would be more sensible if this were to read “.... these libraries should be co-located with other community activities wherever possible.......”

The Assistant Director advised Members that officers would now put together the draft Comprehensive Assessment of Need and would bring this to the May meeting for Members consideration. This document would comprise the following component parts, all of which Members had now seen: the agreed vision; a clear setting out of the demographic needs of York; a résumé of key policy drivers, a résumé of performance of current service; and a résumé of expressed views of its residents (as discussed at this meeting). This document would  become a statement of what the council wished to see from its library service ( i.e. intent of what the council would want the provider of the new contract to carry forward) and would then be presented to the Executive in June for approval, in order that the Council could begin its procurement process.

Resolved:  (i)      That the results of the consultation be noted.

(ii)      That members’ comments on the vision for the future of the Council’s library services made so far be noted.

(ii)      That the draft Comprehensive Assessment of Need be provided to Members at the May meeting for comments before it is considered by Executive.

Reason:     To inform the forthcoming procurement of the Council’s Library Services.