A guest blog from Mike Harris and Kineton Community Library

Today we offer a blog from guest author Mike Harris and his community library experience.

Well, that was the week that was!

It’s not often that I get up early on a Monday morning to go to a radio station for a live interview, get back home, open a community library and then do an interview for TV.  Doesn’t this sort of thing usually happen to other people?

It all seems so long ago that we were putting together our business plan and waiting for Cabinet’s approval.  Now, the library is live with customers coming through the door, us volunteers are being trained by county council staff in the management systems and basically on how to run a library.  There is no going back; we have launched and Kineton has a community library.

We are the first community library in Warwickshire to ‘go live’ as we had a comparatively simple business plan. Nevertheless, we have had to arrange a new agreement with the Village Hall Association for the room we occupy, arrange a new telephone line and internet connection and we have had to address the problem of opening times.

For that, it was necessary to try to balance the days and hours that volunteers are available, the current opening hours and the wishes of our customers. No doubt we will have to review these once we have been up and running for a time.

The Library Service has modified the management system and staff are currently testing the modified version out of Kineton. We realise that we are guinea pigs and expect some trials and tribulations in getting a new system up and working.  But we place our trust in them that it will work!

We met the deputy portfolio holder for libraries from Warwickshire County Council on Monday.  He pledged the council’s ongoing support and I am delighted.  Just as Kineton needs volunteers to continue the service, we couldn’t have got this far without the support of the council.

But similarly, the council expressed the view that community libraries such as Kineton are dependent on volunteers.  It couldn’t do without us.  Cllr Jim Foster said as much on the video which can be found on YouTube.  Here’s a link for anyone who fancies watching it.

http://bit.ly/yqNvbq

Before I (b)log off, I should like to pay tribute to the other volunteers who have made this community library possible.  I appear to have been the ‘media darling’ this week – well, you know how it is, some of us have just got that X factor… – but this has been a terrific team effort.  There will still be a much-loved library service in Kineton because of the volunteers we have.  They know who they are.  People in Kineton will know them soon enough as well.

Mike Harris

Chair Friends of Kineton Library

Community library event

A special event for Warwickshire communities interested in running their own library was held at Rugby College last Thursday (2 June 2011). 

The day was designed to help delegates consider their options – and find out more about the practicalities of communities running a library from people already operating community-run services in other parts of the country. 

The morning’s presentations included a talk on a community library operating from within a Herefordshire church; the experience of locals who run the library in Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire; and a community partnership running their library as part of a ‘hub’ in Hawes, North Yorkshire. 

Worcestershire County Council explained how they are ‘bridging the service gap’ with two mini volunteer-run village hall libraries, both managed by the council – plus around 200 community book collections in other public places, such as children’s and youth centres. 

Other speakers covered topics including volunteer recruitment, developing social enterprises and asset transfers. The afternoon gave delegates a chance to quiz speakers for more information on a one-to-one basis. 

Around 30 Warwickshire community representatives attended the event, travelling from all over the county. 

The event was chaired by Cllr Colin Hayfield, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio-holder for Customers, Access and Physical Assets. 

“I found the day very informative and useful – and I hope everyone who came along, to represent their respective communities, did too,” said Cllr Hayfield. “It’s a steep learning curve for Warwickshire County Council, as well as for volunteer groups looking to run their own local library services. Hearing how other communities and library authorities have approached this has been really enlightening.” 

The day ended with an open questions session. Cllr Hayfield was asked about the process for submitting business cases, and whether communities could have longer to complete them. Although the deadline for submissions is 9 June 2011 – the end of the libraries consultation – Cllr Hayfield said community groups would be given more time to complete their business plans, if needed, with help from library staff.

Other questions were about ongoing support for community-run library projects, which will include stock and IT services, access to the county library management system for processing loans, reservations and returns, a telephone helpline, and regular visits from library staff.

Meanwhile the Warwickshire Library and Information Service consultation on proposals for the future of the service continues until Thursday, and all consultation feedback received by June 9 will be analysed and reported to Warwickshire County Council’s Cabinet in July. The report will be made public at the same time. Councillors will consider the contents before making any final decisions on the future of the library service.

More information, along with the library consultation questionnaire, is available in all Warwickshire libraries and online at: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/facingthechallenge

Consultation progress can also be followed by Twitter www.twitter.com/warksdirect or via the consultation blog at www.libraryconsult.wordpress.com

New financial template unveiled

A new Warwickshire Library Business Case Financial Template is now available for those interested in creating community libraries to complete alongside their business case.

The financial information is required to support proposals in a business case and can be submitted in this format, but it is primarily a guide as to the financial information required.

Libraries consultation – a week to go

The 12-week consultation on proposals for radical change to Warwickshire’s Library and Information Service is drawing to a close.

All consultation questionnaires, whether handed in at a library or completed online, have to be in by June 9.

The consultation aims to give people the opportunity to have their say on plans to reshape the library network and cut costs.

Cllr Colin Hayfield, Portfolio-holder for Customers, Workforce and Partnerships, said: “This will be the biggest transformation in the history of Warwickshire’s library service so I urge local people to make their views known by returning the consultation questionnaire before the June 9 deadline.”

The Library and Information Service must cut spending by £2 million over the next three years as part of Warwickshire County Council’s plans to achieve required savings of more than £70m across all services.

Sixteen Warwickshire libraries have been identified as no longer sustainable in their current form, alongside other cost-cutting measures including reduced opening hours, reductions in the workforce and mobile library fleet, and cutting the number of public computers across the library network.

So far the consultation has seen more than 3,000 questionnaires returned, of which 1,500 have been written questionnaires, while more than 1,700 have been completed online.

Councillor Hayfield said there had been strong interest from a number of communities interested in setting up their own libraries. “As well as offering staff support to communities preparing business plans, the County Council has set aside £100,000 to help volunteer-run library projects get off the ground,” he said.

“We are also prepared, in principle, to consider leasing council-owned library buildings at a peppercorn rent to communities submitting a strong business case.”

All consultation feedback received by June 9 will be analysed and reported to Warwickshire County Council’s Cabinet in July. The report will be made public at the same time. Councillors will consider the contents before making any final decisions on the future of the library service.

More than 1,000 respond to survey

The Warwickshire Library and Information Service consultation has attracted more than 1,000 written and online responses, and it’s only half way through the consultation.

So far 426 people have completed the online survey. Warwick and Leamington are the most popular libraries that respondents currently use. This is twice as many as the next libraries, which are Kenilworth, Stratford and Shipston.

There have also now been 770 written consultation responses, taking the total number of consultation respondents to more than 1,000 people – 1,196 in total.

The consultation continues until June 9, with roadshows and public meetings around the county.

Help for community library projects

Feedback during the Warwickshire wide consultation on the future of the Library and Information Service has resulted in more help being offered to communities if they are interested in running their own library.

Groups and communities interested in running library services can now use a specially prepared pack to produce a business case to present to Warwickshire County Council.

The consultation continues until June 9, but because of the weight of feeling from communities the business pack has been made available now for communities who are interested in running their own library.

Warwickshire Library and Information Service is exploring the options for 16 libraries identified as no longer viable in their present form.

The pack produced to help communities prepare a business case for volunteer-run alternative services, includes an expression of interest form – the first step – a business case template and further guidance.

Communities submitting business plans will also be able to apply for financial assistance from a £100,000 fund Warwickshire County Council has set aside to help volunteer-run library projects get off the ground.

Cllr Colin Hayfield, Portfolio Holder for Customers, Workforce and Partnerships said: “We are in the early stages of consultation but we have already had strong interest from a number of communities who are interested in setting up their own community libraries.

“We recognise that local people may require assistance with start-up costs and that is why we are setting aside a one-off capital fund of £100,000 to support communities to set up their own library.

“We are also making the process easier by offering staff support to help local people to submit their business case, and offer advice on a range of operational issues to help build a sustainable model for the future.”

As well as offering one-off financial support, the council is also considering leasing its library premises to community groups who demonstrate a strong community business case and is prepared, in principle, to lease the buildings at a peppercorn rent for an initial period of one year.

After that, subject to annual review of the services being provided, the lease could continue at a peppercorn rent, or at less than market value, for a period of up to five years in total. The 12-week library consultation was launched on March 18 and continues until June 9. Warwickshire County Council must cut spending by £66 million across all services over the next three years. As part of this, the Library and Information Service must reduce costs by £2 million.

A series of library roadshows and sessions at public meetings have been arranged so local people can find out more about proposed library service changes, and have their say. These have been well attended so far, with more than 800 consultation questionnaires already received.More information about the library consultation, including meeting and roadshow details, the consultation questionnaire and guidance for communities interested in setting up their own library services, is available in all Warwickshire libraries and online.

The consultation progress can also be followed on Twitter

Public meeting feedback

Feedback is now coming in fast from the first public meetings held as part of the Library and Information Service Consultation.

The views and comments of people attending all public meetings will feed into the wider consultation which continues until June 9.

And in recent weeks it has been clear through the public meetings and roadshows that communities are keen to engage with the service. Local MPs Dan Byles, Jeremy Wright and Mark Pawsey have attended recent meetings and are working with the local communities and local councillors.

Below is the feedback from some of the latest public meetings at Dunchurch, Bulkington and Binley Woods.

The meeting at Dunchurch opened with the presentation of a petition from the people of Dunchurch. This had more than 1,000 signatures, collected in a month, and was presented by a resident and the Baptist minister.

Concerns raised included the impact any reduction in bus services and the ability of local people to get into Rugby. Jeremy Wright MP said the residents would need three things: advice on a business model, the building at a peppercorn rent and professional staff to assist volunteers. This was met with reassurance that officers will work with the community.

Concerns raised about business template not being available. This has now been remedied though and the template and help is available now on this blog.

Residents asked if there could be a charge to loan books, but it was explained that this is not legal.

Meanwhile in Bulkington, a petition of around 4,000 names was handed in and many questions focussed on help and assistance from the county council is presenting a business case – this is now available.

Questions were asked why there were more libraries potentially being closed in the north of the county than the south – the response was that there are more small libraries in the north of the county.

At Binley Woods many similar issues were raised, including the question about whether professional support would be available to volunteers.

Several questions were around the use of Coventry Library, which is not in Warwickshire, and whether books borrowed in Coventry could be returned to Warwickshire libraries. Officers are currently speaking to neighbouring authorities about possible solutions.

The roadshows are now continuing and staff will be on hand today at Bulkington Library from 3.30pm until 6.30pm, and tomorrow a roadshow will be held at Polesworth Library from 10am until 1pm.

Help for communities

Following feedback at public meetings new guidance has been launched for communities who might be interested in running their own local library as a part of the Warwickshire Library and Information Service proposals for a transformation of the service. 

The consultation on the future of the service continues until June 9, but already feedback from public meetings has indicated that the public would like a guiding hand if they are to consider running a library. 

As a result the service has produced a Business Case document for a Community Library or Community-run Library Service, which aims to provide guidance and a framework for groups as they prepare a business case in their area. 

Cllr Colin Hayfield, Portfolio Holder for Customers, Workforce and Partnerships said: “We are in the early stages of consultation but we have already had strong interest from a number of communities who are interested in setting up their own community libraries. 

“We recognise that local people may require assistance with start up costs and that is why we are setting aside a one-off capital fund of £100,000 to support communities to set up their own library. 

“We are also making the process easier by offering staff support to help local people to submit their business case and offer advice on a range of operational issues to help build a sustainable model for the future.” 

The application packs for grants are now available and community groups will have until 9 June to submit their proposals. 

The support on offer includes: 

· Warwickshire County Council is setting aside a one-off capital fund of £100,000 to support communities in the setting up their community library.

· Where the Council accepts a community library business case, and the library building is owned by the Council, it is prepared in principle to lease the premises to a Community Group at a peppercorn rent for an initial period of one year.

· After that, subject to annual review of the services being provided, the lease may continue at a peppercorn rent, or at less than market value, for a period of up to 5 years in total.

· The tenant will be responsible for all repairs from the outset.

· Current book stock will be available.

Public meetings tonight and tomorrow

It’s a busy start to the week in the Bedworth and Keresley area with public meetings taking place tonight and tomorrow night to discuss the Warwickshire Library and Information Service proposals for the future for the service.

Tonight from 6.30pm a public meeting is being held at Goodyers End Primary School to discuss the future of Bedworth Heath Library.

Tomorrow night a public meeting is being held at 6.30pm at Keresley Village Community Centre to discuss the future of Keresley Library.

Meanwhile the library consultation roadshow heads to Kingsbury Library today from 2pm until 5pm.

The roadshow then heads to Atherstone Library tomorrow from 11.30am until 2.30pm.

Please remember it will also be possible to take part in the consultation at one-to-one sessions on the mobile libraries next month.