Agenda item

The Board gave consideration to a report which provided an update on the Oldham Council Libraries’ Performance and outlined current challenges and developments. 

Oldham Libraries had made significant progress on library service improvements which built on past achievements and continued to innovate and invest in both service and staff development.  Members were informed of improvements to library environments which reflected the changing use of libraries offering greater flexibility to use the space for cultural and digital events.  Funding had been approved for the new Royton Library.  Members were also informed that a Sensory Room had been launched in March 2018 and Oldham was the first library service in Greater Manchester to provide this type of facility. 

Members were informed of activity work with youth workers and partners across Oldham, the working relationship with Manchester University and participation in the Carnegie Library Lab development programme which encouraged children between the ages of 3 – 6 to explore, investigate and learn through counting and coding activities.  Oldham was also chosen as one of four authorities to deliver the ‘Reading Friends’ and had been provided with funding to deliver the programme across all 10 GM authorities.  As part of this programme groups were being helped to combat social isolation through social reading activities.

The mixed model of the Home Library Services which included access to the RNIB service, collection by friend for family or home delivery by a volunteer and the digital officer which included the introduction of Micro:bit lending, coding clubs and e-books offer was also highlighted.  The service had also been shortlisted for the North West Cultural Education Awards and awarded funded places for staff on courses and conferences.  The volunteer offer was being strengthened by working with Arts and Heritage. 

The Board were provided with the key performance statistics.

The Board were informed of significant building infrastructure challenges and continued investment was also required to upgrade self-service kiosks, wifi infrastructure and people counters to ensure Resident First continued to be supported as well as the ‘digital by default’ agenda.  Libraries were welcoming and accessible at the forefront of the digital agenda.  The service was working with colleagues to develop digital inclusion to understand needs but this was still being developed.

Members asked about support for areas without libraries and if the Library could supplement schemes delivered by partner organisations.  Officers could discuss this arrangement and look at a model similar to that of materials delivered to residential homes.

Members asked what was included in the audio offer and were informed that the press reader was included which included 100’s of newspapers and other periodicals accessed with a library card. 

Members commented on the innovative projects.  Members asked about work with schools and how students were encouraged to use libraries.  Members were informed of a revised school’s offer and work in partnership with Gallery Oldham which included a whole day visit, co-ordination and development of a young people’s volunteer scheme and targeting teenaged young people.  Officers were developing a young people’s focus group and speaking to the Youth Council and Oldham Theatre Workshop.  Work was also ongoing with other focus groups and an analysis being undertaken to engage with communities.

Members referred to numbers dwindling on job clubs.  Officers did not have the information readily available but would look into it.

Members asked about equalities and work with homeless people.  Members were informed of work with the homeless, providing staff with awareness.  Different models were being explored.  A project had been done on holiday hunger.

Members made reference to partners who could meet challenges around digital access and were informed of some who had been identified such as Hack Oldham, schools and colleges.

Members also made reference to shared facilities and were informed of current shared sites.

RESOLVED that:

1.       The update on Oldham Council’s Libraries be noted.

2.       The Board receive an update in six months’ time which addressed the collaborative schools offer with a more in-depth update in twelve months.

3.       The Board receive an update in 12 months which included the extension of home services to community centres and similar venues and homeless facilities.