Corporate report

Minutes of the third meeting of the Leadership for Libraries Taskforce

Published 17 August 2015

This was published under the 2015 to 2016 Cameron Conservative government

Meeting date: Wednesday 29 July 2015,13.30 to 15.30

Location: Exeter Library, Castle Street, Exeter, EX4 3PQ

Attendees

• Dr Paul Blantern (Chair) – Chief Executive: Northamptonshire County Council
• Kathy Settle (Chief Executive) – Government Digital Service & Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)
• Brian Ashley – Director, Libraries: Arts Council England (ACE)
• Laura Caton – Senior Adviser: Local Government Association (LGA)
• Julia Chandler – Communications lead, Libraries Taskforce: DCMS
• Rebecca Cox – Principle Policy Adviser: Local Government Association
• Ciara Eastell – President: Society of Chief Librarians (SCL)
• Jane Ellison – Commissioning Editor: BBC
• Felix Greaves – Deputy Director of Science: Public Health England
• Roly Keating – Chief Executive: British Library
• Charlotte Lane – Government Digital Service
• Nick Poole – Chief Executive: Chartered Institute of Librarians and Information Professionals (CILIP)
• Simon Richardson – Head of Libraries: DCMS
• Anna Wadsworth – Secretariat, Libraries Taskforce: DCMS
• Sue Wilkinson – Chief Executive: The Reading Agency
• Iain Varah – Chief Executive - Vision Redbridge Culture and Leisure and Immediate Past Chair: Chief Cultural & Leisure Officers Association

Apologies

• Mike Cooke – Chief Executive: London Borough of Camden
• Pat Ritchie – Chief Executive: Newcastle upon Tyne City Council
• Dominic Lake – Deputy Director of Arts, Libraries & Cultural Property: DCMS

Reminder of Taskforce objectives

• support the creation of a national digital library network
• respond to the outcomes of the e-lending pilots; continue to work with publishers, libraries and others to secure the adoption of models supported by the pilots
• develop sector-led best practice guidelines to help local authorities when working with volunteers and community-led libraries
• encourage and develop the library workforce, especially new recruits and graduates

Reminder of Taskforce priorities for 2015/16

• digital enablement – including the provision of universal WiFi access, e-lending, digital shared network and quality content
• libraries adding value – making stronger, strategic links between libraries and other policies such as health and wellbeing and business and economic growth
• best practice – helping local authorities and library services through sharing and linking to existing/new best practice and building sustainable long-term models for libraries/community hubs
• workforce – skills needed to help the library workforce deliver these priorities and to take on new roles as part of wider service provision
• communications – promoting the value of libraries and the work of the Taskforce

1. Introduction

Paul Blantern thanked Devon for hosting the meeting and providing an excellent tour of Exeter Library and Fab Lab. The discussions held with Devon County Council senior leaders, staff and invited speakers had highlighted what could be achieved when libraries were seen as integral to council service delivery.

The outstanding action from the 2nd meeting as part of the discussion on a possible National Library Framework was for the secretariat to look at approaches in other countries/organisations and provide a briefing paper for consideration by the Taskforce. It was decided that this would be picked up as part of any future work if a decision was made to produce such a Framework.

New attendees at the meeting were welcomed:

• Nick Poole - Chief Executive: CILIP
• Iain Varah - Chief Executive - Vision Redbridge Culture and Leisure and Immediate Past Chair: Chief Cultural & Leisure Officers Association
• Rebecca Cox – Senior Adviser: LGA
• Simon Richardson – Head of Libraries: DCMS

New Taskforce staff were also introduced:

• Julia Chandler - Communications Lead - starting full time 1 September
• Charlotte Lane - Programme and Project Management - starting full time 17 August
• 2 library secondees would also be joining shortly and communications would be issued on this once details were confirmed.

The Publishers Association had suggested they should have a seat on the Taskforce. Members discussed and agreed to invite a representative from the Publishers Association to attend future meetings in relation to e-lending issues and, in the meantime, to continue to engage with publishers / authors / writers through regular updates and meetings.

ACTION: chief executive to invite a representative from the Publishers Association to attend future meetings in relation to e-lending issues

The chair and chief executive provided an update on recent discussions with some local authorities to offer assistance / advice if required.

2. Dashboard and roadmap

The paper, along with the summary dashboard and detailed roadmap, set out key developments for the Taskforce.

Recent announcements were highlighted:

• WiFi - £7.1m funding scheme launched on the 27 July, 41 people so far have signed up for the regional events run by ACE
• £100,000 for a library digital inclusion pilot in partnership with The Tinder Foundation launched on 27 July which will run between 1 October 2015 and 31 March 2016 and is targeted at libraries that already have WiFi installed
• launch of BT/Barclays two-year pilot on 22 July to fund the installation of WiFi and digital skills training in 100 sites including over 50 libraries

ACTION: all Taskforce to promote digital schemes

Recent feedback from foundations and trusts suggests that library services are often not applying for available funding. Further work would be done to look at what the Taskforce can do to help with this.

ACTION: chief executive, SCL and British Library to follow up on how to increase awareness of possible funding schemes and bidding for these from library services

Updates received from members

ACE:

• announced the launch of WiFi funding, considering options for further support if feasible
• in partnership with SCL they were considering options to help promote National Libraries Day - 6 February 2016

The Reading Agency:

• proposed a new science offer - 2 secondees working on a review of existing activity in this field
• briefed on the Summer Reading Challenge record attempt
• bid successfully to the Department for Education to deliver the book clubs and library membership project
• briefed on discussions with Quick Reads

CILIP:

• are completing a workforce survey and will give overview of findings at 4th meeting
• will be consulting on their Strategic Plan in the autumn

BBC:

• are looking at partnership with SCL and ‘make it digital’ campaign
• there are various consultations on the future of the BBC. No direct reference to libraries

ACTIONS:

• BBC to confirm dates of consultations
• chief executive and chair to send formal response to BBC consultations on behalf of Taskforce

LGA:

• leadership seminar, run in conjunction with ACE, on 15 September is now full
• are inviting expressions of interest for peer reviews - funded by ACE

Chief Cultural & Leisure Officers Association:

• at a recent AGM, recognised the need to focus more on libraries which is now being addressed

British Library:

• will provide an update on Living Knowledge Network at the 4th meeting
• made the Taskforce aware of the announcement on 1st August of Grade 1 listing for the British Library building and 7 public libraries/record office buildings which are listed as Grade 2, these are:
  • Suffolk Record Office
  • Bebington Central Library - The Wirral
  • Milton Keynes Central Library
  • Chandlers Ford Library - Hampshire
  • West Sussex Library (Chichester)
  • Bourne Hall Library & Social Centre - Surrey
  • Lillington Library - Warwickshire
• opening of Alan Turing Institute, this is part of bigger narrative around data, micro centres of digital innovation

SCL

• SCL and The Reading Agency are in discussion re partnership with Wellcome Foundation, this is part of investment around the Universal Health Offer and will look to link up any relevant outputs with Public Health England
• are holding a roundtable in the autumn to link up work on health and libraries
• conducting initial work to analyse existing Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) data
• are due to launch their Universal Learning Offer in the autumn
• along with The Reading Agency are engaged with Public Libraries 2020 advocacy project
• are working with BBC on various projects

Public Health England:

• are trying to secure some funding to work on how to bring together evidence around health and wellbeing
• are raising awareness of work with libraries to elected members and Directors in PHE
• are linking work with BBC and SCL

Members to provide a presentation at future Taskforce meetings on particular topics/issues. It was agreed that longer meetings would be required to facilitate this.

Members were content with information and format of dashboard.

ACTIONS:

• secretariat to add members updates to roadmap / communications calendar and share with members
• secretariat to extend timings of Taskforce meetings
• British Library / BBC to present at 4th Taskforce meeting - 10 September

3. E-lending pilots

The paper provided a joint update by the Publishers Association and SCL on the e-lending pilots and proposed next steps.

Comments made were the need to:

• continue proactive discussions with the Publishers Association, SCL and other partners
• separate from any work on Public Lending Right (DCMS/British Library)

The Taskforce noted the update on the results of e-lending pilot and agreed how to drive the work forward through continued proactive discussions with Publishers Association, SCL and other partners.

4. Spending Review

The paper set out the approach being taken in bidding for funding for library programmes in the upcoming Spending Review.

The chief executive and chair provided an update on the meeting with the Secretary of State for Department for Work & Pensions and planned meetings with government ministers from the:

• Department for Culture, Media and Sport
• Department for Education
• Department of Health
• Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
• Department for Communities and Local Government
• Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
• Cabinet Office
• Department for Work and Pensions

The chief executive and chair also provided an update on the very constructive meeting with foundations and trusts held on 27 July and subsequent actions.

The Reading Agency, with support from Paul Hamlyn Foundation, are creating a new Reading Hack programme which is encouraging them to read more themselves, volunteer in libraries and identify ways of getting more young people to read more.

It was noted that various programmes with foundations/trusts, such as the above, are already in place with Taskforce members and any future work through the Taskforce should take these into account, aiming to build and extend existing relationships and funding.

ACTIONS:

• secretariat to share copy of notes and slides from meeting with foundations and trusts
• all Taskforce to feed in information / updates to help inform meetings with ministers

5. Best practice

The paper set out work being undertaken by a selection of library leaders from SCL’s Digital Leadership programme. The focus was on the theme of health and wellbeing as a pilot for wider best practice sharing. The pilot was developing a generic list of hints and tips for best practice and enabling leaders to open up new routes to stimulating the adoption of best practice.

Comments made were:

• the need to influence how councils look at libraries as integral to their service delivery offer and show how libraries can help with a variety of agendas
• the need to get the message to chief executives before budget decisions were made:
  • informal decisions late September / early October - key time
  • formalise winter
  • announcement April
• the use of case studies to show what good looks like
• how the peer led approach can be beneficial
• key areas to focus on and show how libraries support:
  • early intervention and prevention
  • health
  • economy
• the benefit in having champions outside the sector, particularly consumers/users of services - e.g. people whose businesses have been transformed by Business and IP centres:
  • their stories have been captured but need repurposing
  • need to get videos of users as they are effective method of sharing messages
• need to target commissioners of library services - show them the range of options in terms of alternative delivery models

ACTIONS:

• secretariat to arrange for a presentation from the best practice pilot group at the next meeting on the findings from their work
• chief executive to develop information package local authority chief executives, portfolio holders, service commissioners, etc on library offer

1. A.O.B

The Taskforce reflected on the inaccuracies and misleading context in media reports on the DCMS Taking Part figures. The discussion again reinforced the need for better, more meaningful and timely data and its presentation to inform decision making. The chair will follow up with media contacts on the accuracy of the recent library statistics.

ACTIONS:

• chair to follow up with media contacts on recent library statistics
• chief executive to work with relevant partners on improving the quality, timeliness and visibility of library data

Nick Poole is now a trustee of Wikimedia UK who are keen to get Wikipedia editing into libraries. Will liaise with British Library on any work on this area.

Dates of subsequent meetings

Thursday 10 September 2015 13.00 to 17.00 – British Library, London. The meeting will also include a tour of the British Library from 13.00 to 13.45

Potential agenda items include:

• dashboard and roadmap
• 6 month report to ministers/ LGA
• update from British Library on Living Knowledge Network
• presentation by BBC on change management
• results from surveys and user research (CILIP, SCL, Taskforce)
• presentation on results from best practice pilot

Thursday 19 November 2015 10.00 to 16.00 Newcastle upon Tyne

Thursday 21 January 2016 13.00 to 17.00 at BBC, London

7. Summary of key messages from 3rd meeting

The Taskforce:

• saw the good practice being delivered across Devon by the county council and their partners through the proactive and supportive leadership at officer and political level
• toured the excellent renovation of Exeter library that had been completed in the last year, this had led to the inclusion of a Fab Lab space as well as a Business and IP Centre
• also heard from the chair of the new library mutual on her aspirations for the future development of the service
• welcomed new members to the Taskforce group: Simon Richardson, the new head of the DCMS Libraries Team; Nick Poole, the new chief executive of CILIP; and Iain Varah, past chair of CLOA and chief executive of Vision Redbridge who had been invited to join the group to improve the links to LA chief officers
• welcomed recent announcements from ACE on the £7.1m for enabling free access WiFi in all of England’s libraries; from Tinder Foundation on 100k for Digital Inclusion; and from BT and Barclays on their WiFi and digital skills training
• also reflected on the huge amounts of work being led by Taskforce members, from the Summer Reading Challenge to the LGA peer reviews
• noted the update on the results of e-lending pilot and agreed how to drive the work forward through continued proactive discussions with Publishers Association, SCL and other partners
• discussed the recent meetings with ministers and the Taskforce’s proposed approach to the Spending Review process
• reflected on constructive discussions with a number of foundations and trusts, these will be followed up with conversations over the summer to identify possible areas for joint work
• is pleased with the progress on the best practice work and were looking forward to hearing from graduates of the SCL Digital Leadership programme who were involved in the pilot at the next meeting
• reflected on the inaccuracies and misleading context in media reports on the DCMS Taking Part figures but also recognised the need for better, more meaningful and timely data and its presentation to inform decision making