Agenda item

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.

28.1     The Assistant Director Communities introduced the report. The Libraries Strategic Commissioning Strategy (LSCS) was agreed as way of making the Library and Information Service (LIS) modern and sustainable. The report details the work that is being undertaken to meet the four strategic outcomes of the Strategy. This has included an enhanced e-Library, community library facilities and outreach work. To date, two community libraries shave opened in Langney and Ringmer. The report also details the results of the Public Library User Survey (PLUS), which demonstrate that the LSCS has been successful in maintaining high quality services.

28.2     The Committee welcomed the progress on implementing the LSCS and the opening of the community libraries. The Committee sought clarification on a number of issues and asked a number of questions about the implementation of the Strategy.

• The Committee asked what was delaying the opening of the Ore community library. The Assistant Director Communities outlined that the Libraries Team is working with the Ore Community Association and has approved their request which was received last year. The delay is due to work on the detailed agreement between the Council and the Ore Community Association being finalised. The Assistant Director Communities agreed to circulate an update to the Hastings ESCC local Members.

• It was clarified that no expressions of interest were received regarding the operation of the Mobile Library Service, so the Service has been ceased and the vehicle (which was at the end of its useable life) has been disposed of.

• The Committee noted the shared use of library buildings with the Parking Service and asked if other partners could be invited to share library facilities. The Assistant Director Economy outlined that East Sussex College has been approached about the shared use of facilities.

28.3     The Committee asked how the £500,000 potential savings identified in the Council’s MTFP will impact the implementation of the Strategy. The Assistant Director Communities responded that the LSCS is a needs based approach to provide a modern and sustainable library service. The Strategy aims to meet users’ needs which are changing all the time, and the Team will review the needs assessment and service offer. Historically the Library Service was demand led and the Team will review whether the strategic outcomes and needs assessment are still being met by the Service. The plan is to carry out the review in 2021.

28.4 The Lead Member for Communities and Safety commented that the library structure would benefit from a Parliamentary review, as the legislation is now over 50 years old. The growth of the e-Library and the electronic access to books and information is now a key way library services are used. It is challenging to provide a modern library service, within the constraints of the existing legislation.

28.5     The Committee RESOLVED to:

(1) Note how the changes to the Library and Information Service have been introduced and

their impact on service users; and

(2) Endorse the progress that has been made to deliver the Libraries Strategic Commissioning Strategy.