Contact: Richard Ward (8 326 6621) email: [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 The report outlines the success of the existing People's Network (public internet access) in libraries throughout Hampshire, and seeks Member approval to now develop Phase 2.

2 Background

2.1 The People's Network is a national initiative to provide public internet access in all libraries in the UK. The project was launched in 2002, and was funded for 3 years by the New Opportunities Fund. National implementation was completed by March 2004.

2.2 Local authorities were given a relatively free hand in how they implemented the Network. At the time, Hampshire Libraries had a limited ICT infrastructure, and a large proportion of the grant was spent on upgrading the network to 2Mb. It was difficult to assess potential demand, but based on experience elsewhere, 283 computers were provided, with at least one PC in each library.

2.3 Access to the internet is fundamental to the Discovery Centre vision, and to Hampshire County Council's e-government and lifelong learning strategies.

2.4 Since 2003, the Library and Information Service has gradually increased the number of public access internet terminals. By April 2005 there were 328 (excluding Learning Suites), including 12 terminals in the new Alton library and 36 in the new Discovery Centre at Gosport.

3 Use of the People's Network

3.1 Use of the terminals has grown steadily since 2003, and is currently running at an average of nearly 60% utilisation (i.e. the computers are in use for 60% of available time). At some libraries, for example Basingstoke, utilisation is over 85%.

3.2 In 2004-05 264,731 hours of computer time were used, over 435,800 sessions, giving an overall utilisation figure of 55%. Already this year, 211,205 hours have been used, over 342,000 sessions, averaging 58% utilisation.

3.3 It is extremely unlikely that 100% utilisation would ever be reached, as there will always be times when computers are not in use - for example, change-over between bookings, faults, children-only PCs not being used during school hours etc.

3.4 Based on experience at sites like Basingstoke, where utilisation is often over 80%, a level of utilisation of over 70% makes it extremely difficult for people to access computers when they wish- there are always queues, and users who are unable to stay on the computers for as long as they would like (the standard time allowed is 2 hours- in peak times this is limited to 1 hour). This leads to a high level of frustration and dissatisfaction with the service. Utilisation of over 50% means that there is a fair chance that a computer will not be available when a user drops in to use one.

3.5 Demand continues to grow month on month. August 2005 saw a 40% increase in the number of sessions when compared to August 2004 (61,484 in 2005, compared to 43,930 in August 2004). The monthly average number of sessions in 2004-05 was 43,586 (approx 154 sessions per PC), and has increased to 57,017 (approx 173 sessions per PC) currently.

3.6 Nearly 57,000 people use the People's Network, 87% of whom are adults. Nearly 80% of use is by members of the library.

4 Phase 2

4.1 It was always the intention to move on to a Phase 2 implementation, and to increase the number of computers available, but to do it in a controlled way, based on identified demand.

4.2 As libraries are refurbished or developed as part of the capital programme, a careful assessment is made of need, and funding is included in the project budget to pay for additional computers. It is clear from the usage figures that additional terminals are desperately needed at Basingstoke library, and this will be included in the plans for the new Discovery Centre. (A few will also be added as part of Phase 2 to deal with the immediate demand.)

4.3 However, there is a clear demand for additional computers in a number of other libraries which are not part of any refurbishment or capital development programme. Based on experience, 50% utilisation has been taken as the threshold for consideration of the need to increase the number of computers available.

4.4 A detailed analysis of need has been conducted, by assessing utilisation and consumer demand on a library by library basis. Where use is regularly over 50%, and subject to available space, the proposal is to install additional computers. In a few cases, it is suggested that computers are added where staff feel that there is a potential demand, even if the current utilisation is below 50% (at Fordingbridge, for example)

4.5 Using these criteria, it has been established that there is a need for an additional 205 computers, spread across 32 libraries (see Appendix).

5 Public Library Standard

5.1 The current Public Library Service Standard is 6 terminals per 10,000 population. For CPA the lower performance threshold has been set at 4.5 per 10,000 population.

5.2 Hampshire currently has 365 public access terminals, giving a figure of 2.9 per 10,000 population. To reach the standard of 6 per 10,000, Hampshire would require an additional 386 terminals, giving a total of 751.

5.3 After careful analysis of usage figures, and practical considerations such as space, the conclusion is that there is a justifiable business requirement for an additional 205 terminals as indicated in paragraph 4.5.

5.4 After Phase 2, there will be a total of 570 public access terminals, which will enable Hampshire to reach the CPA lower threshold of 4.5 per 10,000.

6 Legal implications

There are no legal implications as this is an extension of existing provision.

7 Financial implications

The necessary equipment and software will be procured, installed and supported by IT Services and payment for these services will be spread over the life of the systems and the equipment. It is estimated that the cost will be £170,000pa - starting in 2006/07 -and that there will be further one-off costs of £30,000. In the absence of additional resources for this, it will be necessary to accommodate this within existing budgets, through efficiency and other savings within the Recreation and Heritage ICT budget.

8 Impact assessment

The proposed Phase 2 of the People's Network should not have any adverse equality or diversity issues.

Increasing the number of terminals available will make it easier for more people to access the internet. Public access computers already have accessibility software included, and the additional computers will make this more widely available.

9 Crime prevention

This will have no impact on the prevention of crime.

10 Personnel implications

There are no implications for personnel. Library staff have been involved in identifying demand and have been fully consulted.

11 Views of local councillors

As part of Phase 2, additional computers will be installed in 32 libraries across Hampshire, so the impact will be the same county-wide. No consultation with individual members has taken place.

12 Links to Corporate Strategy.

Providing additional computers to enable more people to access the Internet will directly support Aim 1, Maximising life opportunities, by creating opportunities for the whole community, through the provision of high quality learning opportunities, and Aim 5, Improving Services, by ensuring that access is inclusive, more easily accessible, and reflects the changing needs of the community.

Recommendation

That approval be given to implement Phase 2 of the People's Network.

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

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