Agenda item

Report DRR14/090

A recent library review had resulted in the closure of the Mobile Library and the merger of Penge and Anerley Libraries.  Bromley Libraries opening hours were also reduced from 605 to 527.5 per week.

Due to the continued financial constraints faced by the Council, it was necessary for consideration to be given to the most cost-effective and efficient way of managing the borough’s library service going forward.

The report considered by Members outlined the strategy for taking the Library Service forward post completion of the baseline opening hours work stream.  It also set out the detail behind the strategy which was underpinned by the development of community managed libraries and the exposure of the core library offer to the market for market testing.

Ms Liz Keable addressed Members on behalf of Mottingham Residents' Association and made the following representations:-

‘Firstly, why should a ‘strategic’ review involve the separation of Community Libraries from the mainstream library service?

Secondly, why, in order to save £250K, should such a disruptive exercise be undertaken? This is 8fte staff from a complement of 111 which is 7%. Visits to Community Libraries make up more than 11% of the total visits for Bromley each year.

I visited Grove Park Library, one of 5 community libraries, run by ECO computers, on behalf of Lewisham. ECO will run the library and community centre at Slade Green, for Bexley, following redevelopment.

ECO has one employee, on the minimum wage, running all 5. She has no library experience or training beyond induction.  One volunteer has a Health and Safety certificate, but is not always there. Whilst I was there, the child of a volunteer went into the kitchen of the refreshment area, opened the fridge door and hit his head on the servery.

The library looked like a boot fair with the emphasis on fundraising. This included recycling old computers and electrical equipment, table and jumble sales, raffles, and charging for activities run by amateur volunteers.

Volunteers included a few local, retired people such as an electrician who rewired the lights when they didn’t work HELP! and a lady who runs a knitting circle. Most were referred by the local job centre or were on employment training courses and required to undertake unpaid work.

Only once were books even mentioned. That was in the context of the importance of scanning returns immediately, as overdue notices are automatically sent out and people complain. I urge Councillors and Officers to visit and assess this provision.

Over the past couple of years, I have taken the trouble to read the library legislation and the challenges resulting from non-compliance. There is absolutely no way in which this sort of arrangement meets the legal criteria.

Bromley, rightly, prides itself on the high quality of its services. The library service is highly valued, and, in the smaller communities, is the only face of Bromley Council. Separating out the Community Libraries and leaving them to fend for themselves will lead to the loss of professional leadership, high quality help, advice and activities, and, ultimately, to closure.

Will you please think again? Spend £5K on a report on efficiency savings, rather than legal advice on a proposal which you must already have concerns about. Work with the community to retain Community Libraries within the professional management of the whole service whether in-house or outsourced.’

The Chairman assured Ms Keable that residents' concerns would be considered however, it still remained necessary to save money and in this respect the Council needed to identify the best way in which it could continue to support libraries and save community hubs.  The Council wanted to achieve a positive outcome and would examine what was good practice in other boroughs.  Nationally, a great deal of money was invested in volunteer services which were vital to local communities.

It was confirmed that no libraries would close as a result of the review.  The Chairman encouraged residents to e-mail comments to him and asked for their patience and forbearance whilst the review was being undertaken.

Councillor Michael echoed the Chairman's comments and referred to the Chart on page 39 of the report which showed the number of visits to libraries in the past 10 years had remained constant although the number of library issues had decreased; this showed that the role of the service was evolving.  A significant proportion of people were utilising libraries for purposes other than borrowing books. 25% of the borough's residents did not own a home computer so the provision of library IT services was extremely useful.  Councillor Michael was pleased to note that RFID (self-service technology), would be rolled out to all the borough's libraries by the end of the year.

With reference to the chart on page 39 of the report, It was agreed that figures for individual libraries would be circulated to Members.

Councillor Reddin emphasised the importance of the review and stated that Ms Keable's account of the external management of the library at Grove Park was not indicative of how all of Bromley's libraries would be managed.  The role of local communities and volunteers was vital in maintaining the provision of  library services.

Councillor Payne had visited a new build community library and was impressed with how it worked and the opportunities available to develop it and move forward.

Councillor Wilkins referred to what she considered to be the rapid closure of Anerley Town Hall and its replacement as a community library and asked if the review process included an appropriate amount of time to consult with staff.  She emphasised the need for user groups to be involved throughout the review.  It was confirmed that a three month consultation period would be undertaken with both users and non-users with focus meetings being held periodically.  Staff would be engaged in consultation and at some point would be formally consulted.  It would take approximately one year to create community libraries following which, the aim was to outsource the management of services by 2017.  A report on the outcome of the consultation would be submitted to the R&R PDS meeting in March 2015.

It was reported that the Council had invested in three new libraries to date.  Both the new Orpington and Biggin Hill libraries had proved to be very successful and the recently established library at Penge had seen an improvement upon the former Penge and Anerley library.

It was confirmed that the standard length of time had been set aside to seek expressions of interest in community-run libraries for which a significant amount of publicity was anticipated.  Marketing of library services was undertaken mainly on-line via social media such as Facebook and Twitter but were also publicised at social functions i.e. local festivals.  Activities within local communities were promoted by Outreach staff.  A preserved book fund of £500k would be set aside.

RESOLVED that:-

1)  the report be noted;

2)  the Portfolio Holder be recommended to agree the strategic approach as set out in the report, namely:-

·  the development of community managed libraries; and

·  market testing the core library offer.

3)  the Portfolio Holder be recommended to authorise officers to formally consult with library users and staff on the proposals and the outcome of the consultation be reported back to a meeting of the Committee in March 2015;