To undertake pre-Cabinet scrutiny of the Welsh Library Public Standards 2017-18 outcomes.
Minutes:
Documents:
· Cabinet Report January 2019 ‘Welsh Public Library Standards report for 2017/18’
· Welsh Public Library Standards 2017-2020 – Powys
· Connected and Ambitious Libraries: The sixth quality framework of Welsh Public Library Standards 2017-2020
· Scrutiny Briefing – Welsh Public Library Standards
Discussion:
The Principal Librarian presented the Cabinet report covering the Welsh Public Library Standards report for 2017-18.
The Library Service was assessed under the first years of the Sixth Framework ‘Connected and Ambitious Libraries’. The service met 11 of the 12 Core entitlements in full and partially met 1 Core Entitlement. Of the 16 Quality Indicators 10 have measures. The service met 5 in full, 1 in part and failed 4.
The period 2017-18 covered the time that the service was working with communities regarding alternative delivery models. This was also the time that the Library Service joined the all Wales Library Management Service which whilst this resulted in savings in the longer term did take two months to complete during which book purchase and supply requests could not be processed which impacted on the some of the standards.
What is the service intending to do to meet the 4 Quality Indicators (QI) which were failed in the 2017-18 report?
QI6 is ‘User attendances at library events’. The service currently have grant funding to run Reading Aloud events for people with mild dementia or depression but because Powys has small communities the service does not restrict these events to people with mild dementia or depression. The service runs open and inclusive events and does not ask users to define themselves in terms of problems. The service is keen not to introduce stigma into event attendance.
QI9 is ‘up to date and appropriate reading material’ or acquisitions. The service has never met this measure. Spending would need to increase by around £100k to meet this measure. This measure was affected by the move to the Welsh Library Service Management System but the 2018-19 results should show a return to the usual levels Powys acquisitions. Powys aim to reach a 10% replenishment rate.
QI10 is ‘Welsh language resources’. This measure is normally met and was also affected by the move to the Welsh Library Service Management System.
QI12 is ‘supply of requests’. This was not met partly because of problems with the delivery van. A new delivery van has been supplied by fleet.
Is the service speaking to Welsh Government to reword QI6 to encourage attendance at open and inclusive events?
This subject has been raised with Welsh Government during the consultation regarding the Seventh Library Framework which is currently being developed.
It is clear that some libraries are well used but also that the service faces tremendous challenges. How is the service working with Welsh Government regarding the standards in light of the financial challenges the authority faces?
Powys in conjunction with other authorities across Wales are speaking with Welsh Government regarding the standards. There are some standards that no authority in Wales are meeting such as staffing and acquisitions.
Do the standards take into account the geographical challenges faced by Powys?
Not at present but this can be raised as part of the consultation ahead of the Seventh Framework.
Does usage of the mobile libraries count towards the results and how are the mobile routes advertised?
Usage of mobile libraries does contribute towards the results of number of visitors and number of borrowings. Users tend to access mobile libraries through word of mouth. If usage declines, then the service speak to the local council. Each stop has a designated person that the service will contact if the visit has been delayed or cancelled.
Visits to libraries are declining. Is this happening at both static and mobile sites?
There has been a trend of declining footfall as fewer people visit every Saturday morning. This mirrors a general trend of reduced footfall across town centres as people move to a greater reliance on internet shopping. A marked decline was noted when the opening times were cut by 20% during a previous period. A decline is also noted at solely volunteer run libraries where other Council services are unavailable.
How are libraries advertised, do libraries work closely with schools to encourage school visits?
Publicity is undertaken on a local basis together with working with schools. For example, in Llanfyllin an accelerated reading programme is operating where 90 High School Children visit the library on a weekly basis.
What has been the impact on attendance of libraries which have become more community based?
The amount of community activities undertaken in libraries varies area by area but for example in Knighton there has been a large growth with a literary festival organised that resulted in 3,000 visits.
What risks to provision does a move to partnership working entail?
The partnerships are fragile. Relationships take time to develop and change as people move on. There is less stability than when the service was run by the local authority.
What is most pleasing and what are you most concerned about?
It is good that the satisfaction rates have remained generally high but the most concerning matter is the budget going forward and its potential impact on this indicator.
Outcomes:
· That the Library Service impress upon Welsh Government:
o the challenges experienced in a sparsely populated rural authority in meeting some of the quality indicators
o that given the low incidence of individuals with special requirements it is difficult to monitor this indicator without introducing a degree of stigma upon those individuals as the only way to run such events in areas of sparse population is to advertise them as an inclusive event.
· That attention is focussed on those measures that were adversely affected by the move during 2017/18 to the Library Management System (acquisitions, supply of requests and Welsh medium resources) during this period.
· Scrutiny are aware that the service are reviewing library service provision at present and Members will be briefed on any proposals in the near future.
Supporting documents: