Agenda item

(To receive a report from Louise Egan, Library & Heritage Client Lead, which provides the Committee with an update on the performance of the Library Service Contract – Year 7 Review.  Nicola Rogers, Partnership Manager at Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) will also be in attendance for this item)

The Committee considered a report which provided an update on the performance of the seventh year of the outsourced Library Service Contract delivered by Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL).

The Committee noted that the report had been produced on behalf of Andy Gutherson, Executive Director – Place, rather that Glen Garrod, Executive Director - Adult Care and Community Care as published.

Appendix A to the report illustrated the elements GLL had been contracted to deliver and Appendix B provided details of the social impact of the library contract; and Appendix C detailed the actual performance against the eleven Key Performance Indicators for 2022/23 for the Committee to consider.

The Chairman invited Louise Egan, Library & Heritage Client Lead and Nicola Rogers, Partnership Manager at GLL, to present the item to the Committee.

It was reported that it had been another successful year across the library service, with some reference being made to:

·       The number of activities and events held by the library service;

·       That the service had received over 200 compliments and that Lincolnshire had received the highest score across all of GLL partnerships with regard to customer satisfaction;

·       The social value impact of the service, it was reported that in the region of 24 million had been generated with regard to the social value, further details in this regard were provided in Appendix B;

·       Performance measures - It was noted that there had been growth in the number of physical issues and physical books; there had also been an increase in the amount of viewers using digital services; that the number of visits had not achieved the target in year seven, however, it was noted this figure had increased by 65% on the previous year’s figure, which showed that there was a steady increase year on year as the service recovered from the Covid-19 pandemic;

·       Strong partnership working;

·       The successful implementation of the business bubble at two core sites; and work with the Data Bank scheme; and

·       The success of community groups, and their valuable service to residents; and the invaluable support of the 700 volunteers that managed sites on behalf of the council.

During consideration of this item, the following comments were noted:

·       Congratulations were extended to the success of the library service and for the excellent report presented;

·       That the summer reading challenge was delivering in partnership with the reading agency.  That the challenge was aimed at primary school children, children aged 4 to 11.  It was highlighted that there was also a mini challenge for pre-school children.  It was noted that if older children wished to take part they could.  The Committee noted that all local schools were contacted to promote the challenge, as well as activity groups.  It was noted further that this year there was also a dedicated web page, and it was also publicised through GLL and LCC media channels;

·       The success of the Data Bank scheme –the success of the scheme was highlighted to emphasis the successful partnership working between the local authority, commissioned and service providers.  It was reported that the scheme was delivered by an organisation called the Good Things Foundation, to whom a bid was made, and as a result the library service was accepted as a gift partner to work with O2, Vodafone and other phone providers. It was highlighted that the current scheme was due to finish at the end of 2023, and that at the moment it was not known whether the scheme would be reprised.  Officers advised that information relating to the take up of the Data vouchers was not readily available at the meeting but could be made available to members of the Committee after the meeting;            

·       The Committee was advised that of the following opening times for library services.  Of the 15 core libraries, 10 were classified as being tier one opened between 45 and 48 hours per week; and then the tier two libraries opened approximately 20 hours per week;

·       The importance of the library service, and the community hubs and to the fact that the service was developing and moving forward to meet demands;

·       Confirmation was given that libraries held a range of materials in differing languages. It was highlighted that stock was offered in a range of different languages, based on the community languages in the area.  It was reported that getting hold of items in community languages was challenging and therefore limited as to what could be provided.  The Committee noted that readers were also signposted to free digital resources;

·       What practical help was provided to hubs.  The Committee was advised that there were four library development officers across Lincolnshire who visited hubs sometimes on a weekly basis, sometimes every day, if a new initiative was being set up. If hubs were to get new volunteers, then someone would go out and deliver training, and then refresher training would then be provided periodically throughout the year.  It was noted that training could be operational, how to use the library management system to search for books, how to help with printing, it could be GDPR, safeguarding etc.  It was noted that each piece of training was tailored to meet the needs of the individual hub and their requirements;

·       It was reported that libraries provided an access service which enable those with mobility issues, or access issues, regardless of age to have books delivered to their door;

·       For IT and upskilling support, the Committee was advised that ‘Buddy’ sessions were provided across all sites and some of the community hubs across the county.  It was noted that there were also additional sessions for members of the public to via Learn My Way, which was deliver by the Good Things Foundation, which was a course that could be worked through at the individual’s own pace, as well as short sessions from one of the councils’ learning providers on 365 on line courses, as well as numeracy courses; and

·       The Committee noted that all the core libraries had a core programme of activities that happened weekly, fortnightly, and that all the core libraries had at least four sessions per week solely for children, and that for the school holidays additional sessions were arranged, as had been mentioned earlier, reference was made to the summer reading challenge.

The Chairman on behalf of the Committee extend thanks to the presenters.

RESOLVED

1.      That the comments received in relation to this item be received.   

2.      That the Performance of the Library Service Contract – Year 7 be endorsed, and that the Committee’s satisfaction be recorded on activity undertaken in year 7 of the contract and that the comments and views in relation to priorities for year 8 be shared with relevant officers and GLL partners for consideration.