Attendees:
Dr Paul Blantern (Chair) – Chief Executive: Northamptonshire County Council Kathy Settle (Chief Executive) – Government Digital Service & Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Felix Greaves – Deputy Director of Science: Public Health England Laura Caton – Senior Adviser: Local Government Association
Rebecca Cox – Principle Policy Adviser: Local Government Association
Simon Richardson – Head of Libraries: Department for Culture, Media and Sport Brian Ashley – Director, Libraries: Arts Council England
Jane Ellison – Commissioning Editor: BBC Roly Keating – Chief Executive: British Library
Nick Poole – Chief Executive: Chartered Institute of Librarians and Information Professionals
Charlotte Lane – Government Digital Service Julia Chandler – Comms Lead: Libraries Taskforce Sue Wilkinson – Chief Executive: The Reading Agency Ciara Eastell – President: Society of Chief Librarians
Iain Varah – Chief Executive - Vision Redbridge Culture and Leisure and Immediate Past Chair: Chief Cultural & Leisure Officers Association
Anna Wadsworth – Secretariat: Department for Culture, Media and Sport &
Department for Communities and Local Government 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: Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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. 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
● Comms – promoting the value of libraries and the work of the taskforce Agenda:
1. Introduction
Paul Blantern thanked Devon for hosting the meeting and providing an excellent tour of Exeter Library & 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: Secretariat to look at approaches in other
countries/organisations and provide a briefing paper for consideration by the Taskforce 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: Chartered Institute of Librarians and Information Professionals
● Iain Varah - Chief Executive - Vision Redbridge Culture and Leisure and Immediate Past Chair: Chief Cultural & Leisure Officers Association
● Rebecca Cox – Senior Adviser: Local Government Association
● Simon Richardson – Head of Libraries: Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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. 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 & Roadmap Paper LFL 1 – 29/7/15
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. This is for an action research pilot to run between 1 October 2015 and 31 March 2016. This 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 & 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 & BL: TO FOLLOW UP HOW TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF POSSIBLE FUNDING SCHEMES AND BIDDING FOR THESE FROM LIBRARY SERVICES
The following updates were received from members
● Arts Council England:
○ Launch of WiFi funding, Considering options for further support if feasible
○ In partnership with Society of Chief Librarians considering options to help promote National Libraries Day - 6 February 2016
● The Reading Agency
○ Proposed 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
● Chartered Institute of Librarians and Information Professionals
○ Completing workforce survey and will give overview of findings at 4th meeting
○ Will be consulting on their Strategic Plan in Autumn
● BBC
○ 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 & CHAIR: TO SEND FORMAL RESPONSE TO BBC CONSULTATION ON BEHALF OF TASKFORCE
● Local Government Association
○ Leadership seminar, run in conjunction with Arts Council England, on 15 September is now full
○ Inviting expressions of interest for Peer Reviews - funded by Arts Council England
● Chief Cultural & Leisure Officers Association
○ At recent AGM, recognised the need to focus more on libraries which is now being addressed
● British Library
○ Will provide update on Living Knowledge Network at 4th meeting
○ Announcement on 1st August of Grade 1 listing for British Library building. 7 public libraries/record office buildings are listed as Grade 2
■ 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
● Society of Chief Librarians
○ SCL and The Reading Agency are in discussion re partnership with Wellcome Foundation. This is part of investment around the Universal Health Offer. Will look to link up any relevant outputs with Public Health England
○ Holding a roundtable in autumn to link up work on health and libraries
○ Conducting initial work to analyse existing Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) data
○ Universal Learning Offer due to be launched in Autumn
○ Along with The Reading Agency, engaged with Public Libraries 2020 advocacy project
○ Working with BBC on various projects
● Public Health England
○ Trying to secure some funding to work on how to bring together evidence around health and wellbeing
○ Raising awareness of work with libraries to elected members and Directors in PHE
○ Linking work with BBC & 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: UPDATES FROM MEMBERS WILL BE ADDED TO ROADMAP/ COMMS CALENDAR AND SHARED WITH MEMBERS
➢ SECRETARIAT: EXTEND TIMINGS OF TASKFORCE MEETINGS
➢ BL/BBC: TO PRESENT AT 4TH TASKFORCE MEETING - 10 SEPTEMBER
3. E-lending pilots Paper LFL 2 – 29/7/15
The paper provided a joint update by the Publishers Association and Society of Chief Librarians on the E-lending pilots and proposed next steps.
Comments made:
● Need to continue proactive discussions with the Publishers Association, SCL and other partners
● Need to separate from any work on Public Lending Right (DCMS/British Library)
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, Society of Chief Librarians and other partners.
4. Spending Review Paper LFL 3 – 29/7/15
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
● 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 Paper LFL 4 – 29/7/15
The paper set out work being undertaken by a selection of library leaders from the Society of Chief Librarians’ 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:
● Need to influence how councils look at libraries as integral to their service delivery offer
○ getting message to Chief Executives before budget decisions made
■ informal decisions late Sept / early Oct - key time
■ formalise Winter
■ announcement April
○ show how libraries can help with a variety of agendas
● Use of case studies to show what good looks like
○ peer led approach can be beneficial
● Key areas to focus on - show how libraries support:
○ early intervention and prevention
○ health
○ economy
● 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
○ stories have been captured but need repurposing
○ get videos of users as 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: DEVELOP INFORMATION PACKAGE FOR LOCAL AUTHORITY CHIEF EXECUTIVES, PORTFOLIO HOLDERS, SERVICE COMMISSIONERS, ETC ON LIBRARY OFFER
6. 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.
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. They 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 wife and digital skills training. They 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 PA, 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.
● 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.
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:
● Dashboard & 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
