Agenda item

The report of the Chief Officer Community Hubs, Welfare and Business Support provides an overview of the activity of Leeds Libraries during the past 18 months and outlines the key priorities for the service as part of our Service Recovery Strategy.

(Report attached)

The report of the Chief Officer Community Hubs, Welfare and Business Support provided the Inner West Community Committee with an overview of the activity of Leeds Libraries during the past 18 months and outlined key priorities for the service as part of the Service Recovery Strategy.

The following were in attendance for this item:

o  Andrea Ellison, Chief Librarian

o  Kate Midwood, Senior Librarian

The Chief Librarian informed members that the report provided a city-wide overview on changes to the structure of the service and schemes / projects that have taken place during the pandemic such as digital services, as well as an update on the services key priorities over the coming months. Members were informed that a service update on a more local basis will be provided at the Inner West Community Committee next year.

In response to Member’s questions, the following information was highlighted:

·  Education involvement. The Library Service is looking at revitalising the offer to schools, and the school programme will take shape over the next term with the focus being reading.

·  Activities across local hubs and libraries. Members emphasised the need to encourage the use of libraries, and to receive prior information of activities taking place in the local area.

·  Linking with early years development. Conversations have taken place with the Councils Children and Families sector on locations for activities to take place, with Children Centres being a main focus.

·  Digital exclusions and the offer for residents. A telephone service and communications channel were set up during the pandemic, to aid those requiring digital support and the focus moving forward looks at managing mental health, and how to keep children safe online. Members were also informed of an iPad lending scheme that will be rolled out centrally to enable the public to use for group learning, educational purposes and reading. It was noted that the library offered a variety of digital resources in the form of E Books, E Magazines and E newspapers. Members were also advised of the Niche Academy – a range of free online tutorials from setting up an email account or getting started with social media to help build skills using online resources.

·  The impact on the use of services as a result of the pandemic. It was confirmed that nationally the use of library services has been low. It was recognised that although libraries can offer many forms of digital access it does exclude those in the poorest areas of the city. Members were informed that the service aims to build confidence across communities for people to return to libraries and to re-introduce events over time, such as conversation tables and social activity groups.

Members were of the view that there was no substitute for face to face engagement to combat social isolation and to engage with children and families. They were pleased to hear that there was to be a drive to attract new members and work alongside schools. It was noted that although libraries were currently operating reduced hours it was hoped that the hours would increase going into Autumn. Members were also pleased to hear that the service were currently involved with the Gypsy and Traveller Project Strategy Group. Looking at taking the new story bus to assist with the education of Traveller children.

The Community Committee thanked the Hubs for all the work that they had done during the pandemic.

Members praised the work on the refurbishment of the Armley library and the use of the story buses. It was noted that the story bus it had proved a winner with both adults and children at the recent Armley Festival.

The Chair thanked officers for their attendance and requested that an update be provided to a future meeting.

RESOLVED –

a) To note the contents of the report and verbal update, along with members comments.

b) To note the intention to receive an update on services within the Inner West Community Committee area, at a future meeting.