Agenda item

Performance of the Library Services Contract - Year Four Review Report

To receive a report by Will Mason (Head of Culture) and Louise Egan (Library and Heritage Client Lead), which provides an update of the Library Services Contract performance information to enable the Committee to fulfil its role in scrutinising performance of the fourth year of the out-sourced Library Contract to Greenwich Leisure Limited)

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report by the Library and Heritage Client Lead, which provided an update of the year four performance of the Library Services Contract with Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL).

 

Members were advised that during year four, library staff ran a total of 5,354 events in core and mobile libraries, which had included National Bookstart week – pajamarama and the annual summer reading challenge with a 2% increase in participation from 2018.

 

GLL had also continued to work with District Council to which had included hosting a Holocaust Memorial and memorial service, sign language and yoga events.

 

It was noted that the 24% decrease in the 'Number of visits to core libraries and mobile library services in 2019/20 was not as significant as may be perceived, as there had only actually been a 5% decrease in visits from the previous year, which was likely a result of the covid-19 pandemic.

 

Positive feedback had been received as a result of significant and immediate IT improvements had been made in many libraries.

 

The main focus of year five of the contract was to recover from Covid-19 pandemic and responding to changing needs to customers and partnerships, as well as completing the final element of IT which was due to be completed in the coming weeks.

 

Nicola Rogers (GLL) advised the Committee that they had moved a lot of events online as part of the Facebook and Twitter officer. The library service reiterated that they had ran many successful national events and overall it was perceived a successful year.

 

Members considered the report and as part of the discussions the following points were noted:

 

·      Members thanked officers and partners from GLL for their work on the Library Service Contract, particularly for continuing to work through the pandemic and maintaining a target for 8 out of 10 KPI's, which was a great testament to innovations, improvements and hard work.

·      Members raised concerns over the signage at the Boultham Community Hub being unclear and not mentioning library use. It was confirmed that officers had looked into the signage previously and clarified that a sub-heading on the sign did mention library use. Officers wanted to ensure that community hubs could be more than just a library and were sustainable for other facilities and services to operate from. The Library and Heritage Client Lead agreed to revisit the signage at the Boultham Community Hub and liaise with Councillor K A Clarke as the local Member directly regarding this.

·      Officers were looking to start reopening core sites including Grantham Library where the public would be able to receive a pre-reservation services to reserve items online or over the phone and bring items back to reception. Customers would also be able to begin to pre-book public computers on a 30 minute basis to avoid an influx of individuals queuing. The next stage of reopening would look to enable the public to come into sites to continue browsing on a limited number basis.

·      Physical attendance to libraries would mean the introduction of one way systems, quarantine trollies, hand gels and sanitisation and screens at enquiry desks. Customers would also be able to begin to pre-book public computers on a 30 minute basis to avoid an influx of individuals queuing.

·      At the time of the meeting, Officers did not believe that it was mandatory for the public to wear a mask when visiting a library but had requested clarification and clearer guidance on this issue. However, the council were considering putting up additional signage to request that customers wear a mask if they felt comfortable doing so.

·      The Executive Councillor for Culture and Emergency services also thanked library staff for their outstanding work during the Covid-19 emergency, in particular for their work with the elderly and vulnerable and innovative ideas to get young people involved in reading.

·      It was clarified that customers had a choice of whether to borrow an e-book for seven, fifteen or twenty-one days as well as the opportunity to extend when you renewed the book.

·      Officers welcomed the suggestion that the local Councillor be invited to any special events in their area.

·      Officers clarified that events were advertised in libraries and posters in local communities, as well as through press releases and on social media.

·      There was a long standing arrangement within the library service that South Kesteven District Council would continue to manage Bourne Library within their building with their own employees. There were currently no plans to make amendments and transfer the management of Bourne Library to GLL.

 

RESOLVED:

 

          That the Committee note and support the progress of year four of the            Library Services Contract.

 

 

Supporting documents:

 

 
 
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