Contact, Richard Ward: ext. 8 326 6621 e-mail: [email protected]

This report is intended to assist meeting the following aims of the Corporate Strategy;

Aim 1 - Maximising Life Opportunities

Aim 4 - Building Strong and Safe Communities

Aim 5 - Improving Services

The report brings to the attention of the PRC three major recent national reports. The first is the Department of Culture, Media and Sport's response to the House of Commons Select Committee's report on Public Libraries; the second is the report by PricewaterhouseCoopers into the impact made by public libraries; and the third is the report into library stock procurement efficiencies.

1. The Select Committee Report on Public Libraries

1.1 In March 2005 the House of Commons Culture Media and Sport Committee published its Report on Public Libraries. The Committee confirmed that in its view "Public libraries are an important national resource with a vital role to play in establishing, nurturing and nourishing people's love of reading. Libraries also play an important part in life-long and informal learning providing access to books as well as other reading material whether on paper or, via the People's Network, in digital form. Libraries, together with their staff, are a trusted civic amenity - highly valued, safe public spaces and storehouses of advice, information and knowledge - without which the citizens of Britain would be very much the poorer."

1.2 The Committee went on to comment that the Department of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS), working in partnership with the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), has decided that public libraries should be measured against ten national standards. However, the committee believes that these standards are limited in their ambition and that they are not backed up by any "effective mechanisms for ensuring continuous improvement or even simple compliance".

1.3 The Committee noted that overall spending was up but spending on books was down, as were total book loans and visitor numbers. The Committee considered that there should be a clear distinction between "core functions and desirable add-ons (prioritising resources in favour of the former). Also of concern to the Committee was the backlog of library refurbishments - the amount of investment required varying between £250 million and £650 million.

1.4 A summary of the Committee's recommendations and the DCMS's responses are given in Appendix 1.

2. Libraries Impact Project

2.1 It has been known intuitively for many years that public libraries have a significant impact upon many people's lives. Although there has been much powerful anecdotal evidence there has been little reliable research carried out and hard data has been lacking. This is now being rectified with two significant activities reported upon here.

2.2 With effect from April 2005 library authorities are being asked to collect data and report upon the impact of their services towards achieving the shared priorities agreed between the Local Government Association and Government. The activities relevant to library services are: promoting the economic vitality of communities; promoting healthier communities; improving the quality of life for children, young people, families at risk and older people; raising standards across schools; and creating safer and stronger communities. Fundamental to this process is the further development of community profiling ensuring that library service planning, target setting and performance measuring takes place from a real and up to date evidence base.

2.3 It is envisaged that in the medium term the impact measures will, with the Public Library Service Standards, be used to build the Culture Block in the Comprehensive Performance Assessment Process.

The Impact measures are listed in Appendix 2i

2.4 The second significant activity is the research carried out by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) into the impact libraries are already having in the priority areas of children, education, health and older people. The work was sponsored by the LASER Foundation and was steered by a group containing representatives from the DCMS and the Audit Commission as well as from a library background.

2.5 In each of the four areas PWC looked at a range of quantitative and qualitative data and came to the overall conclusion that

Libraries make a clear contribution to the shared priorities

In the course of our work, we found evidence of a clear and measurable contribution made by libraries to wider policy priorities at both local and national level. We believe that this evidence forms part of the case for the continued and meaningful involvement of libraries in these policy areas.

The quantitative and qualitative data collected by the pilot authorities in using the measures highlight a significant contribution, in line with government priorities, to the development of adult skills and child literacy in the education and children shared priority areas. The data demonstrate a clear contribution to government objectives on patient and public involvement in health. For older people, the data show an impact in a range of themes around quality of life and general well-being, as well as national policy priorities on strengthening independent living.

The types of data collected in the four areas is listed in Appendix 2ii

3. Public Libraries: efficiency and stock supply chain review

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Framework for the Future, the Government's strategy for public libraries highlighted the need to examine book procurement systems and the efficiency of library authorities.

PKF were engaged as consultants with the aim of achieving:

· a national approach to library procurement

· standardised and simplified processes, leading to

· reinvestment of resources so that library services provide the best possible service to their communities

3.3 The report recommendations

3.4 While much of the issues the report flags up are already acknowledged and are being tackled, it has to be said that some of the recommendations do not flow from the evidence in the report. Much of the analysis is superficial and simplistic and many sections are descriptive rather than analytical. The specific recommendations are divided between quick wins and longer term recommendations and include:

· Libraries should adopt national standards for book servicing

· Libraries should review procurement processes and structures to redeploy staff to the frontline

· Authorities should review whether support functions can be shared across local authority boundaries

· Buying consortia should streamline contract specifications

· Authorities should review management structures

· The case for a National Library Agency should be considered

· The case for a national procurement framework should be considered

· A single national cataloguing system is needed

· The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) should work with suppliers and the book trade to identify further efficiencies

· MLA should initiate a performance improvement programme

· Although not a specific recommendation, the report takes the view that book suppliers not library authorities should select books

3.5 Efficiency Savings

3.6 Unfortunately the report vastly over estimates the potential savings to be made

- in particular:

· The potential savings from supplier selection do not mention supplier charges, the cost of monitoring the contract, staff time in amending the specification (a continuous process in Liverpool apparently), nor the staff time spent in identifying and filling the gaps suppliers cannot cover

· The saving from streamlined processing is said to be an extra 10% discount. Experience from the pilots show that perhaps under half this amount might be available in certain instances - where suppliers have wholesaler links and access to better discounts.

· National Agency services on cataloguing and tendering are supposed to deliver nationally 2% employee savings or £8.45 million. Quite how this would be the case since contracts would still have to be monitored locally is unclear.

· The evidence for an extra 5% discount through better consortia buying is non existent. Hampshire is already part of the Central Buying Consortium, one of the biggest in the country and negotiating the best discount levels nationally.

· Although absolutely accurate information about discounts is difficult to discover because of commercial confidentiality there is reason to believe that Hampshire obtains the highest discount of any authority in the country.

3.7 Hampshire's track record

3.8 The more practical recommendations of the report are welcomed, particularly as they identify current issues. In particular:

a) Standard national minimum serving

Hampshire along with a small group of authorities within the Central Buying Consortium (CBC) has just completed a successful pilot to negotiate bigger discounts on the basis of national servicing standards for non fiction material. The challenge is now to extend this to Fiction, Children's and Reference books.

b) Review of stock procurement processes

Two years ago, at the time of library reorganisation, all acquisitions processes were centralised creating a saving in staffing, and streamlined adult and children's selection systems were created in order to save staff time. The efficiency of this has been demonstrated in work with the IPF benchmarking group, and from the Finance consultancy on acquisition costs in response to the Tim Coates Libri report 'Who's in Charge'. The media coverage of the latter concentrated on its inaccurate claim that the overheads associated with acquiring a £10 book were £14; in fact the County Treasurer has identified that the relevant overhead is £2.36. In addition Tim Coates did not take into account the substantial discount on books discussed earlier in the report.

c) Authorities should review support functions and to what extent these can be shared across boundaries

This is not a simple matter owing to the need for a shared computerised library management system but exploratory work is being undertaken.

d) Consortia should review specification differences and streamline them

The CBC has already started on this path and Hampshire as a key player in the Library contract is well placed to benefit from further developments.

3.9 Will the National Proposals benefit Hampshire's Library Service?

Some of the longer term proposals are still in gestation stage and need more consideration. In particular:

· One Cataloguing System

In theory, the idea of standardising cataloguing and classification so that all buy in the same external records is worth pursuing. However, it will be far from simple. The range of external records currently available is not exhaustive - government publications, Large Print, videos and other audio visual material, non English language, local history material are all examples of areas not covered. Also, historic modifications to Dewey classification schemes in many authorities will continue to require in house modification to class numbers if layouts/guiding etc is not to be needed for areas such as computers, biographies etc.

· Supplier Selection

The suggestion that 100% of newly published books could be selected by suppliers (or elsewhere that 80% of selection could be made via standing order) is based on the flimsiest of evidence i.e. that is deemed to have worked, in part, in Liverpool. While it may be suitable for niche areas of stock where Buyers' knowledge of the market place is greater than local librarians, supplier selection is not suitable for the complex needs of a large county. Counties who have experimented with it have since not continued their pilots owing to concerns about consistency of service provision. Large Print, audio books and many audio visual formats cannot be bought via main book suppliers and would always have to remain outside such arrangements in any case. Streamlined central selection panels led by a central stock team and attended by a small number of local staff offers best value. People who are actually dealing with the public, working on enquiry desks and maintaining stocks across a number of libraries ensure that selection is customer responsive. Needless to say the report does not acknowledge that there is currently no supplier infrastructure to cope with everyone contracting out selection.

· National Agency/National Procurement Framework

The idea of some kind of enforcer of library standards or efficiency targets may or may not have attractions to it. However, it is definitely not clear where efficiency savings would come from if local authorities have to contribute to a central body's running costs. There may be potential in exploring some kind of national framework for procurement just as there may be in fewer, bigger consortia or changes to the library supply market such that library authorities could get access to the larger discounts that wholesalers, supermarkets and other big players have access to. However it is sobering that the report indicates that nationally Libraries account for only 3% of the book market. While further national developments and opportunities may open up, they need to be explored cautiously building on the infrastructure already existing.

· MLA Performance Improvement Programme

It is to be hoped that MLA will acknowledge that the report raises key issues rather than providing a simple list of solutions that can be easily implemented. The envisaged roadshows and partnership sessions to learn from Best Practice can be welcomed. However, more research and consultation is needed in many areas as the report readily admits.

3.10 Conclusion

3.11 Although the report can be cautiously welcomed it has failings and shortcomings. It is not a simple blueprint for implementation but a summary of the issues library authorities must continue to grapple with.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Recreation and Heritage Policy Review Committee note these three reports.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

1 Published works.

2 Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

TITLE FILE

APPENDIX I

House of Commons

Culture, Media and Sport Committee

Public Libraries

Third report of Session 2004-05

The Committee's conclusions and recommendations are given in bold, the DCMS responses in ordinary type.

Conclusion & Recommendation 1

We commend the Government for attempting to establish a national strategy for

the provision of library services, and national standards for the quality and

performance of those services...

Conclusion & Recommendation 17

In summary we believe that the list of standards should be extended...to include the number...book loans;...material for users with disabilities; extended opening times; value for money...; free access to the internet; and the quality of user consultation...

Conclusion & Recommendation 19

The right standards,...are...crucial elements in helping to

improve the quality of the service...

Conclusion & Recommendation 30

...a clearer standard for opening hours should be put in place...that this be augmented by a challenging target...encouraging libraries to open outside normal hours...

Response from the DCMS

1. The Public Library Standards were introduced in April 2001...Between 2001-02 and 2003-04 the standards primed improvements across those library services...

2. We want to encourage local communities to take an active part in using and supporting their local libraries. Opening hours of libraries, for example, should reflect community needs... surveys reflect the importance which people attach to libraries, and a generally very high satisfaction rate for services...

3. Making the standards available and more meaningful to local people...will

strengthen the value of the standards to local communities....

4.... by the end of 2003-04 the performance of 66% of authorities were assessed as "good" or "excellent". The standards have thrown into sharper relief the successes and where there are difficulties... Together with the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), DCMS is now seeking to address those difficulties through an improvement programme...

5. ... standards... have always been intended to measure core activity...it is for authorities to decide what other provision is right for the needs of the communities they serve.

6. The standards may now be fewer, but they are no less stretching and they still contain indicators for customer satisfaction. A target for children's overall satisfaction with library services is newly introduced. ... and take account of emerging means of delivery.

7. ... standards are only one way of encouraging good practice amongst

authorities... the Audit Commission proposes...as part of... the Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) of local authorities for 2005, an indicator on active borrowers as a percentage of the population. Public library impact measures...will give library authorities an incentive to reflect the provision they make to address a wide range of social, cultural and community agendas... Impact measures will... provide... authorities with a tool to demonstrate the impact of libraries...

Conclusion & Recommendation 2

We commend the British Library in its efforts to support and advise the public

library sector...

Response from the DCMS

8. The British Library has been working well with library services and we agree that

these links should be developed and improved.

Conclusion & Recommendation 3

We support the continuation...of the Public Lending Right...

Response from the DCMS

9. We agree that the Public Lending Right is a highly successful scheme and much

praised.

Conclusion & Recommendation 4

We recognize...the importance of listening to the results of consultation with service users - and we were extremely impressed by all the Idea Stores had to offer... - but we regret that the word "library" seems to have accreted such negative overtones.

Response from the DCMS

10. We agree with the Committee's view on the importance of listening to the views of library users (and to those who could be using them, but don't currently)...

11. Surveys suggest that very nearly everybody,...believes that libraries are important. The DCMS view is that the word "library" remains a meaningful one.

12. In recent years we have seen the opening of new...iconic library buildings, the

... People's Network and other improvements,... The increased

number of visits to our libraries suggests to us that libraries are again connecting with

people...

13. Through the development of a marketing initiative...MLA is seeking to raise public awareness of all the services a modern day library service delivers.

Conclusion & Recommendation 5

...while libraries are about more than books (and newspapers and journals), these traditional materials must be the bedrock...no matter how the institution is refreshed...in the light of local consultation...

Conclusion & Recommendation 6

...libraries are viewed as safe public environments and...[can]act as a ...home for services meeting a wide range of community needs...However...libraries must not be overloaded with objectives...that strain their resources or inhibit the fulfillment of their core functions...Libraries...cannot be expected to constitute a one-stop shop for all a community's demands for information and advice without the appropriate allocation, and clear demarcation, of resources.

Conclusion & Recommendation 7

All libraries,...should be set core minimum standards ...focused on a core purpose...access to the written word... newspapers and journals and the internet, all in a welcoming and safe environment at the hours that their users want. Once these fundamentals are in place, a library may then build on the range of services it offers... However...notion of simply reading for pleasure must be fundamental.

Conclusion & Recommendation 8

When over half of public libraries are rated as below an acceptable standard by

the Audit Commission, it is our view that the foundations must first be sound before libraries diversify into other areas.

Conclusion & Recommendation 14

Having emphasised the importance of books and reading,...libraries can offer more to the communities... Public libraries have always been part of tackling social exclusion.... and we would encourage a continuing focus...

Response from the DCMS

14. We agree with the sentiments expressed by the Committee in these areas. However, we also believe that the various activities and services offered by the modern day library should not be viewed as mutually exclusive. The common thread in everything they do is service to the community and it is the duty of library authorities in general, and library managers in particular, to ensure that service is a good one.

15. ... Books and reading remain at the heart of our libraries' mission.

16. When the Public Library Standards were refreshed in October 2004, the targets

relating to stock acquisition and replenishment were retained.

17. Libraries are rightly expected to promote the love of reading. However, these days, books are not the only means to the written word. ... Additionally,... computers ...enhance access to reading matter for people with visual impairments. Reference works are increasingly being offered on a web-only...

18. So the promotion of the love of reading amongst all ages and the facilitation of

informal learning are still at the forefront of what public libraries do, but libraries are

community buildings and should be used for other community purposes....They do this through their core functions - these are impacts of the work of public libraries, not something separate from their functions.

19. It is crucial that library authorities work up the detail of how they engage with these agendas based on their expert knowledge of local needs.... DCMS cannot... prescribe what services should be offered by libraries... We would encourage any approach that has community need at its heart and will continue to work with the library service to promote community engagement strategies.

Conclusion & Recommendation 9

We believe the balance between book loans and book sales is in large measure due to the reduced price of books from different sources on the one hand and poor book stocks in many libraries on the other....

Conclusion & Recommendation 10

...improvement of the...stock...should be made a priority. The current average spend on books of 9% of total funding is very low; especially in comparison with the 1980s when 17% to 18% was the norm.

Conclusion & Recommendation 11

A substantial increase in the percentage of funding spent...on books should be a priority...

Response from the DCMS

20. Since the introduction of...Public Library Standards around two thirds of authorities have reported an increase in the amounts they spend on stock acquisitions...

21. If...falling issues are as a result of poor stock, encouraging additional investment in stock... should... reduce the current decline in issues. Improving book purchasing and book handling processes should give libraries better value for money.

22....many other reasons why book issues have fallen. ...that natural trends towards buying rather than borrowing are more to do with people wanting to keep books for reference, to re-read or just because they want to own them than any problem with the stock in the public library. ...society has changed over time and the fall in issues may be due to the service not keeping up with social trends and increasingly diverse communities. .... we are working hard to try and ensure that services meet the needs of their communities,...

Conclusion & Recommendation 12

We commend the... decision to fund Bookstart ... any enthusiasm for books and reading... must be tended ...by access to a wide choice of suitable material, as well as attractive environs, at local libraries.

Response from the DCMS

23. ...decision to expand the programme has been widely welcomed. ... the programme is not just about giving out free books, it is the advice on how families can share books, the associated activities such as rhyme time sessions in libraries and the continued access to children's books through public libraries that makes the difference to families' reading habits and children's development.

24. Library authorities are improving the services they offer for this early years age

group... It is also important to help young children and their families make the transition from early years support to activities for older children...such as the Summer Reading Challenge is essential...

25. ...an attractive environment has an important effect on whether children as well as their parents or carers will want to use the library. Most libraries have made a significant effort to make the children's areas distinctive with bright colours, toys and soft furnishings as well as books...

Conclusion & Recommendation 13

We urge DCMS to foster the cooperation between public libraries and The

Reading Agency, together with primary schools in particular, to work together to plan and introduce more initiatives to nurture a love of reading across the country.

Response from the DCMS

26. We continue to work closely with The Reading Agency...and of course primary schools.... Developing the nation's love of reading is a key role for libraries...

Conclusion & Recommendation 15

If local authorities are the correct level of government to manage the country's

library services... then the DCMS is probably best qualified to hold overall policy responsibility and the logical source of strategy, advocacy and targeted resources with which to seek improvements.

Conclusion & Recommendation 16

While we see no case for moving responsibility for libraries to a different

department, it is vital that the DCMS raises its game and acts far more effectively as a champion and advocate for libraries across Government....

Response from the DCMS

27.... DCMS believes that the existing local authority works well where the parent authority recognises the value of its libraries and shows sufficient commitment towards them. The problems that exist stem largely from the fragmented nature of the sector....

28. DCMS, working with the MLA, is making a difference and we believe the gap

between the best and the not so good authorities is narrowing gradually in some key

areas...

Conclusion & Recommendation 18

...the library impact measures,... will eventually enable...assess the outcomes of library service provision...to the improvement of those services and those

outcomes.

Response from the DCMS

29. We agree. People have always known that having good public libraries is a desirable end in itself and, instinctively, that they contribute significantly to the public good. ...with the first set of impact measures, ... will begin to ... assess ...the impact that libraries make across a range of key community agendas...

30. As additional appropriate data is identified or becomes available, the impact measures will be developed and extended....

Conclusion & Recommendation 20

...Comprehensive Performance Assessments (CPA) have an important role to play...with respect to library policy...

Conclusion & Recommendation 21

.. recommend that the meeting of...standards by a local authority be made a key factor in the eventual overall CPA...

Response from the DCMS

31. We agree with the Committee's assessment of the importance of embedding the

library standards within the Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) Framework. Work is in hand to include the Public Library Service Standards in a newly created CPA Culture Block (they have already been included in a new suite of Best Value Performance Indicators). In 2006-07, we envisage that the Public Library Impact Measures will also be a part of the CPA process.

Conclusion & Recommendation 22

We believe that the MLA, the Government's Peer Review programme and the

Library Improvement programme contain the seeds of an effective programme for change and should be considered for significant coordination and expansion.

Response from the DCMS

32. The Library peer reviews and leadership training are elements within the Framework for the Future Action Plan/DCMS Library Improvement Plan. The... Reviews undertaken...have been welcomed...

Conclusion & Recommendation 23

We recommend that the DCMS reviews the case for new legislation to govern

public libraries,...

Response from the DCMS

33. DCMS does not see a compelling need for new legislation at present.

34. Public Library Standards have already primed substantial improvement... the envisaged link between the standards, and other library indicators, and the Comprehensive Performance Assessment Framework will achieve the same desired results. We would see library improvement fitting into the overall

Government intervention policy on local authorities and, for example, Best Value

legislation exists separately from the library legislation.

Conclusion & Recommendation 24

....look at efficiencies within and across the public library sector... is well overdue. .. including a substantial shift of resources to frontline services. .. Progress should be driven by the inclusion of a value for money indicator amongst the national library standards.

Response from the DCMS

35. ... report on the library book supply chain and library efficiency which will be published shortly. The main recommendations.. that library services should adopt common practices and standards in the processing of books, that they should adopt common requirements which would reduce costs for suppliers (and for library services).... other main recommendation is that library services should purchase books collectively...in order to strengthen library services' position with suppliers,...

36. There will not be a library service standard for value for money as a CPA indicator is being developed to measure this.

Conclusion & Recommendation 25

... "a survey conducted 10 years ago identified a backlog of building repairs and refurbishments totalling £650 million in England alone..." This suggests a total significantly higher than the £240 million...There is manifestly a problem and with such vast, if differing, amounts being put forward as estimates, the solution cannot be simple.

Conclusion & Recommendation 26

...DCMS, ODPM, MLA and local authorities work...together to produce a... picture of the condition of the public library estate ...Those libraries that merit consideration in heritage terms should be identified.... We believe that the public library estate, in principle, merits assistance from a partnership of local and central government alongside appropriate Lottery distributors.

Conclusion & Recommendation 27

We recommend further consideration be given to extending the role of PFI

projects in the area of libraries.

Response from the DCMS

37. DCMS recognises the key importance of this issue but also believes that this matter should be viewed in perspective....

38. Library buildings,... are ultimately the responsibility of parent authorities. ...The Museums Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) have begun an audit of the condition of the public library "estate".

39. DCMS has been pleased to allocate £90m of its Private Finance Initiative credits to date to public library projects....

40. DCMS is delighted that the Big Lottery Fund is considering developing a community library programme.

Conclusion & Recommendation 28

We would urge local authorities to consider more frequently the possibility of

including provision for library development in section 106 agreements with

developers.

Response from the DCMS

41. Decisions on the matters to be included in planning obligations are for individual

local authorities,... If a library can be seen to fit with these principles in relation to a particular development, it may be a legitimate to use s106.

42....A large enough development may create the need for a library, so this might be provided in whole or part through s106.

43. In areas of significant growth, s106 contributions may be "pooled" to cover the

cumulative impacts of several developments. Several developments might together create a need for a library where a single development would not.

Conclusion & Recommendation 29

We would support the notion that, where possible, new libraries be co-located with other public services...

Response from the DCMS

44. We agree. ...

45........ Successful existing libraries, such as Chesterfield, exemplify the spin-off benefits from a successful library in a town centre. Successful libraries attract people to a centre and so contribute to economic activity.....". But it is also true that a library's popularity increase dramatically by being placed within a critical mass of community or commercial activity. Tower Hamlet's innovative ideastores both contribute to and feed off the community vitality of their sites....

46. ... Committee are right to add the caveat that the arrangement needs to be right for the community being served. The most successful library authorities will be the ones most in tune with the lifestyles and living culture of local people.

47. Libraries co-located with other authority services also need to be planned carefully if the potential synergies and efficiencies are not to be lost. Co-locating a public library in a school, for example, can be a good idea in principle, but the benefit will be lost if older users do not feel a sense of ownership of the library or, worse, feel intimidated about using it, or if the library is not easily accessible.

48. These provisos are important but not insurmountable and, where it meets a clear

community need, we support the extension of library co-location and critical mass siting.

Conclusion & Recommendation 31

We recognise the challenges inherent in such a development; in terms of demands on staff and on service resources. However, many other organisations have changed their culture and have achieved increased opening hours with flexible working patterns which actually allow staff to balance more effectively home - and work -life. We expect that, in a majority of residential areas, local communities would prefer extended opening hours but we recommend that local library authorities make it a priority to ascertain the views of both their existing users and the wider community in this area and act accordingly.

Response from the DCMS

49. We completely agree that library authorities should ascertain the views of their

communities and shape the service accordingly... In terms of opening hours, the

inclusion of a specific library service standard has already increased the opening hours in 75% of library authorities. The workforce is becoming more flexible to working hours but this is not something that can be solved overnight, the trend is in the right direction and we will continue to work to support this. We believe it is important that public libraries open when people need them - perhaps on Sundays or in the evening (depending on local needs).

Conclusion & Recommendation 32

We believe that charging for the People's Network contravenes at least the spirit

of the 1964 Act...

Response from the DCMS

50. .. our view is that the amended legislation does not oblige authorities to offer access to the People's Network free at the point of use. However, it was certainly the intention when the People's Network was introduced that access to it should be free. .. and seems certain to have been a major contributor to the first increases in visits to our public libraries for many years.

51. DCMS and MLA will continue to look at ways to acknowledge tangibly the efforts of English Library authorities that have good access and social inclusion policies, and this could include their arrangements for the provision of the People's Network to users.

Conclusion & Recommendation 33

We recommend DCMS, ODPM, MLA and local authorities review plans and

budgets for the costs of maintenance and upgrading of the system...

Conclusion & Recommendation 34

We recommend that the NAO undertakes a study of the People's Network to

assess the value for money secured by its procurement policy....

Response from the DCMS

52. At the inception of the People's Network, local authorities had to provide a

sustainability plan before receiving funding. It is for them to find the funding to secure the sustainability of the network...

53. We will consider in the context of wider local government best practice, collaboration between library authorities in procuring, implementing and supporting new ICT systems....

Conclusion & Recommendation 35

Provision of access to libraries for people with disabilities should be a high priority for local authorities...

Conclusion & Recommendation 36

...secure funding is made available for the maintenance and development of Revealweb...

Conclusion & Recommendation 37

...DCMS takes a lead...in securing funding to support the production of a much greater range of material in alternative formats...[for] people with disabilities. We believe that the provision of material in such formats should be the subject of a national standard.

Response from the DCMS

54. The MLA has developed... a collection of 12 guides on how best to meet the needs of disabled people as users and staff in museums, archives and libraries....

55. Library services... support people with disabilities...and we are supportive of this work. Libraries stock resources in alternative formats and many have magnifying equipment and other technologies to assist people with visual impairments.

56. The People's Network is a valuable tool for lifelong learning for older and visually impaired people. A high percentage of libraries have installed software to increase the accessibility to those with sight problems....

58. The MLA supported Revealweb with a set-up grant of £300,000 over three years.

This was made on the understanding that it becomes sustainable from March 2006. ...

59. Government involvement in securing more titles in alternative formats is currently

lead by the DTI, with DCMS and DfES having interests....This would allow alternative formats to be available simultaneously with general release.

60. MLA will establish a working forum to assist collaboration between publishers, third sector organisations and government.

Conclusion & Recommendation 38

We recognise and support the profession's moves to train and qualify people... It needs to market itself more effectively and to cast its net more widely among potential recruits.

Response from the DCMS

61. We are committed to helping existing library staff to widen their skills base to adapt to a changing service;... A large proportion of library staff are due to retire shortly;...and the service needs to attract new people who have the necessary skills to fill this gap.

62. .. recruitment campaign highlighting the wide range of skills required to work in public libraries. ..., promoting to the public what a modern library service offers and attracting the people with the characteristics and skills needed...

63. The MLA's workforce development plan outlines 4 strategic objectives to achieve a skilled and diverse workforce across the sectors: a workforce fit for purpose; enhancing leadership and workforce skills; empowering learning and change; and research for action.

64. As part of this plan, the MLA is working with key partners such as CILIP and

Lifelong Learning UK to develop new accreditation routes to support people gain

qualifications through on-the-job training as well as the traditional library schools route.

65. Key activities being undertaken in 2005 / 2006 include:

Funding Positive Action Traineeships and Apprenticeships in libraries...

Identifying the barriers ...to entering careers in libraries from young black and minority ethnic people...

Conducting a demographic survey of volunteers...

Developing a web based Learning Needs Analysis...

Conclusion & Recommendation 39

The library profession must recognise its shortcomings in this area of leadership

and advocacy... Library leaders of the future need skills,...beyond those that come with a professional librarianship qualification.

Response from the DCMS

66. Improvement of leadership within the public library service is a key component of

Framework for the Future and the Workforce Development Strategy referred to above....148 of the 149 library authorities in England have taken up the opportunity offered by this programme, including 119 current Heads of Service. ...

Conclusion & Recommendation 40

...the assessment of what is happening in school libraries is extremely

important ...to ascertain whether schools [are] spending that money on library services ...

Response from the DCMS

67. The Government believes that schools should have good library provision, and that buying in a school library service can be an important method of securing that, especially for primary and special schools

68. The DfES does provide some funding for schools to manage their extended services, ... It would be for individual schools.... to decide whether to develop their library provision as part of their extended services and activities. ...

Conclusion & Recommendation 41

Ofsted should undertake a thematic study on the state of school library services

and the relationship between schools and public libraries. In addition, Ofsted, in its report on a school, must include reference to how that school provides its library services and the standard of its provision.

Response from the DCMS

69. From September this year, school inspections will be shorter...Inspection reports will no longer contain the detailed subject information that is contained in the current reports. Resources, including libraries, will not be a routine part of the inspection framework ... It is unlikely that inspections will routinely give a view about the quality of the school library.

70. However, Ofsted are currently looking at good school libraries as part of the subject inspection programme for English this year.

71. We will review this with Ofsted in the light of the findings from the current work and will consider whether it is appropriate to carry out a more detailed study of library

services...

72. Our guidance on extended schools makes clear that public libraries have an important role to play in increasing community access to cultural opportunities,...

Conclusion & Recommendation 42

We commend the Government for including, ... a model providing for the co-location of public libraries with schools.

Response from the DCMS

73. ... eleven exemplar designs for schools were commissioned from leading architects. ... all of the designs included good library resource centres. Those for secondary schools included a public library as an option in addition to the core design of the school.

74. The co-location of public libraries with other public services such as schools is often a beneficial arrangement to the local community and can enhance the service to the public. However, it may not be a suitable arrangement for all communities, the location of libraries is very important. People must have access to libraries in the places they need them and they must be welcoming.

APPENDIX 2i

Public Library Service Impact Measures

APPENDIX 2ii

PricewaterhouseCoopers impact measures

Education

For education, we identified two specific themes based on the impact on pupils of summer reading schemes (or homework club/study support) based in libraries and in relation to the impact on adults - that is, the post 16 population in general - of library services supporting adult education. This led us to develop two measures:

· The impact on adults (post 16 population) of library services supporting adult education by collection and analysis of:

- Quantitative data showing the numbers (or %) covered and

- Qualitative data linked to, for example, the impact on confidence and

qualifications or attainment.

· The impact of libraries on pupils attending summer reading schemes or homework clubs/study support based in libraries by collection and analysis of:

- Quantitative data showing the number (or %) of participants and

- Qualitative data showing the impact on participants.

Children

In relation to children, we focused on the impact of library activities supporting children and families (for example, activities related to wider programmes including Sure Start and family learning):

· The impact of library activities supporting children and families (including, for example, Sure Start and family learning activities) by collection and analysis of:

- Quantitative data showing the numbers (or %) covered by activities and

- Qualitative data showing the impact on participant literacy and

confidence.

Health

For health, we examined the impact of libraries in supporting public health in relation to the provision of a range of health information through libraries with additional reference to qualitative information showing the contribution that libraries can make to health and well being

· The impact of widening access to health information by collection and analysis of:

- Quantitative data on the number (or %) of adults accessing health information through libraries, through bookstock and ICT, supplemented by

- Qualitative data (including support for well-being) gathered through survey information for interviews.

Older people

For older people, we looked at the impact of libraries' work with older people in two areas - access to library services in the home and access through libraries to information on entitlements (for example to benefits and services) - with a similar approach to gathering qualitative information to that used in the health priority area:

· The impact on older people of receiving library services in the home by collection and analysis of:

- Quantitative data showing the number (or %) of older people receiving the service and

- Qualitative data gathered through survey information or interviews of users.

· The impact of libraries on older people accessing information on entitlements to benefits and services including:

- Quantitative data showing the number (or %) or older people accessing information and

- Qualitative data gathered through survey information or interviews.