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Haringey Council
Public Libraries in England and Wales
Key Challenges for the 21st Century
Diana EdmondsAssistant Director, Culture, Libraries and Learning23rd May 2011
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• Or the customers through the door
1. Getting the Business
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• Dramatic increase in use levels• Wood Green currently has the busiest
libraries in London
Haringey Experience demonstrates that customers are attracted by relevant services
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• Money for buildings• Money for stock• Money for IT• Money for staff
2. Getting the Money to Provide the Service
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• Buildings often in wrong place• Poorly maintained• Limited capital within the Authority• Need to use “other people’s” money to build libraries
Money for Buildings
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• Big Lottery• NDC• Europe• PCT• Department of Education (via Connexions)• Skills Funding Agency• MLA• UK On-line
And we are constantly looking for more
In Haringey, we have used funds from:
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• Usually has to come from the Local Authoritybut
• Are occasional opportunities to gain external funding• But essential to maintain funds to ensure the offer
remains attractive to the customer
Money for Stock
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• Don’t believe Price Waterhouse Coopers Report!
Stock Purchase and Acquisition needs to be Lean and Mean
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• Haringey outsources all processing and some selection
• Buys as low as possible• Has minimal staff (1)
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Allocation Model
Stock Fund
AdultChildren and Young People
Audio Visual Electronic
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• Plus, in Haringey, material for BME customers
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• Big Lottery Fund provided People’s Network funding which forced public libraries into the 20th Century
• Problem to maintain this provision as need to modernise occurs
Money for IT
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• Also need to introduce newer technologies, specifically RFID, to modernise processes
• 1 year payback on RFID installations in terms of staff reductions
Money for IT
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Self Issue
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Return
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Sorter
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The Impact of Wireless
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• Major cost in a public library service• Normally at least 60%• Key area for cost cutting and therefore professionalism
debate a real issue• At Haringey, labour costs are currently running at 56%
Money for Staff
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• Staff behaviour also a key issue• Problem with sickness management• Advantageous contracts
Money for Staff
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• Key drive to reduce staff costs• RFID increasingly significant
Money for Staff
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• Each year operate the Service with budget minus same
Budget Overview
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• Essential therefore to increase productivity year on year
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• And to look for the “new” angle, e.g.• Health• Learning• Culture
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Individual Learning Resources
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Collaborative Learning Spaces
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Cultural Spaces
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Running a public library requires: • Customer focus• Entrepreneurial skill• Courage
Summary
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• And now?
• What about the cuts?
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• Libraries are under significant pressure
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• In London, LLCP (London Libraries Change Programme) may help………
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The Future
……. Is the future