Meeting Future Challenges: The Developing Role of Public Libraries in England

Outline

Local libraries provide a distinctive service. They offer important reach into local communities and a cost-effective way of ensuring that people are connected to services they need through their buildings, outreach activities and online services.

Under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964, local councils in England have a statutory duty to provide a ‘comprehensive and efficient’ library service for all people working, living or studying full-time in the area who want to make use of it. According to government figures, local government in England spent £762 million (net) on libraries in the financial year 2014 to 2015.

However, with local government facing financial challenges, the need to adapt and develop beyond previous efficiency approaches to deliver services locally is vital.

Last year, the Government’s Libraries Taskforce published ‘Libraries Deliver: Ambition for Public Libraries in England 2016-2021’,  a document which along with their ‘Ambition action plan’ aims to help and support library services in England to better meet local community needs and become more resilient longer-term.

This timely Cephas Public Policy Communications symposium provides an invaluable opportunity for key staff who work at all levels across the library sector. Local authorities, government departments, shared services teams and all relevant library sector professionals to discuss the latest government thinking on the future of public libraries in England. The symposium will also examine how councils can be supported further to find more effective ways to run their libraries and complement existing transformation and improvement initiatives.

Order of the Day

09:30 Registration and Morning Refreshments
10:15 Chairs Introduction
10:30 Morning Presentations

The vision for public library services in England and the outcomes they deliver for their communities

• Understanding the Libraries Taskforce vision for public library services in England and the 7 Outcomes for individuals and communities
• Funding library services in varied and sustainable ways
• Helping libraries use better evidence to support decision-making
• Review the recommendations from the Carnegie UK Trust’s policy report ‘Shining a Light’

11:30 Morning Coffee Break
11:45 Open Floor Deliberation and Debate
12:45 Networking Lunch
13:30 Afternoon Presentations

The Challenge for Local Authorities and their Strategic Partners to support local economies

• Consider the 7 common design principles suggested for councils to develop library services
• Planning public library services to meet local needs – how councils can fully integrate library services to fulfil these duties more effectively and efficiently
• Different models for local service delivery – review the different delivery models already being used across England
• Developing the library workforce, now and for the future
• Assess the Greater London Authority (GLA) Mi Wifi pilot project’s progress in helping to reduce digital exclusion

14:30 Afternoon Coffee Break
14:45 Open Floor Deliberation and Debate
15:45 Chair’s Closing Remarks and Networking Reception
16:30 Close

Who Should Attend?

• Local Authorities
• Library Managers
• Library Suppliers
• Library Sector Professionals
• Local Authority Library Personnel
• Local Authority Chief Executives
• Libraries, Culture and Leisure Personnel
• Key Voluntary, Community and other Third Sector Organisations
• Policy Managers
• National Development Agencies
• Shared Services Teams
• Service Managers
• Income Managers
• Commissioning Managers
• Neighbourhood Services Staff
• Directors of Funding and Finance
• Social Inclusion Officers
• Social Services Representatives
• Heads of Organisational Change
• Heads of Equality and Diversity
• Heads of Culture
• Communities Directors and Staff
• Adults and Children’s Services Leads
• Welfare Groups
• Career Development Organisations
• Recruitment and Employment Professionals
• Business Enterprise and Support Representatives
• Learning and Skills Councils Representatives