Archived decisions

Item 11b

Culture and Communities Policy Review Committee

Access to Library Services

Introduction

1. As part of its review of possible scrutiny topics the Committee has asked for more information on library provision for "hard to reach" people and places. This note provides a brief survey of library access and outreach services, library provision in rural Hampshire and online services.

Access for Disabled People

2. There is a continuing programme of work to improve the physical accessibility of library buildings for disabled people. This includes wheelchair ramps, lifts, toilets, hearing loops, exterior and interior signage etc. Libraries have been extensively equipped with TV magnifiers and use of the People's Network computer terminals is improved for visually impaired people (VIP) through the availability of Supernova software. Library staff provide introductions and guidance to the use of these resources.

Library Outreach Services

3. The promotion of literacy and information skills and the appreciation of literature throughout the community are fundamental aims of the Service. Operating alongside the network of town centre and local libraries the Service provides a wide range of outreach activities which help to ensure equal access to library resources¹.

4. Many libraries run and support reading groups as part of their outreach activity. VIP reading groups are well established in the county and these are supported with special collections of books and audio materials.

5. For a number of years library services have been available to housebound readers through two schemes:

Home Library Service - library staff or volunteers take books and other materials to the homes of individual housebound people; currently, around 900 people benefit from this service;

Good Neighbour Scheme - where a family member, friend or neighbour takes library materials to the home of a housebound person; over 1,000 good neighbours are currently registered with the Service.

6. Coverage by Home Library Service is not uniform across the county. Improvements are planned but budgetary constraints and the availability of trained volunteers limits its expansion. The significance of this service for the quality of life of older people is increasingly recognised. A joint project with Adult Services and the NHS is about to get underway, initially as a pilot in the Totton and Waterside area, which will use the Home Library Service as the basis for trained volunteers monitoring the wellbeing of housebound people.

7. Community Library Link provides a mobile service to sheltered accommodation, residential and nursing homes and day centres. Four dedicated vehicles each serve about 100 establishments across the county on a regular basis.

8. Library services are provided to Winchester Prison and the Haslar Immigration Removal Centre. Recent initiatives include Storybook Dads (where prisoners record stories for their children) and Books on Prescription (special collections designed to help prisoners understand and manage health issues).

9. Collections of books and other materials in minority languages are provided. These cater for established immigrant groups in the county and the growing number of recent immigrants from eastern Europe.

Library Services in Rural Areas

10. The network of library buildings extends to the smaller towns in the county and is supplemented by a comprehensive mobile library service, which brings library resources to most smaller communities². Two of the new mobile libraries are equipped with People's Network terminals and all of the new fleet has improved access for disabled people.

11. Work is being undertaken on the feasibility of locating library resources (book collections, periodicals, People's Network terminals) in community buildings and managed by voluntary organisations or community groups. A number of pilot schemes are in the early stages of planning.

Online Resources

12. Access to library resources is increasingly available through the internet. The catalogue can be searched, books and other materials can be reserved online and loans renewed. The Service has invested extensively in web-based reference material, which is available free of charge to library members³.