Plan for Libraries
Summary 2017 - 2020
1
PLAN FOR LIBRARIES
2
2017 - 2020
Foreword
Plymouth’s branding as Britain’s Ocean City captures the city’s
rich history of being the starting point of some of the great
voyages of exploration, its role as an embarkation point for the
settlement of new worlds, as well as its reputation for innovation.
Plymouth is now increasingly known for excellence in
education, being at the forefront of marine science and industry
and for its exciting annual programme of events and cultural
activities.
The city is now competing on a global stage and it needs to
clearly communicate what it has to offer, both its unrivalled past
and its exciting future.
We are an ambitious city and are developing our Plymouth
Plan 2011-2031 to ensure that strategically we have a clear view
of what the future will look like.
Now is the time to ensure the library service and our Library
Plan aligns to the future of the city and achieves its vision to
deliver a consistent and sustainable service for our citizens and
communities.
3
PLAN FOR LIBRARIES
Introduction
Councillor Glenn Jordan
Cabinet member for culture
4
In 2014 the cabinet agreed that the library service should
support cultural engagement through literacy, learning and
skills development. They agreed that these services should be
embedded in the community and not dependent on buildings for
success. Residents should not only be able to borrow books but
also enhance their digital skills, seek information and advice about
employment and skills and health and wellbeing.
Statistics show that just 7 of our 17 libraries currently account
for 80% of all library visits and 75% of all items borrowed.
Trying to operate 17 libraries is unsustainable, is a drain on our
resources and limits our ability to offer the quality of service that
we know is possible. We will not be constrained by a building, the
24/7 digital offering shows that more eBooks are borrowed each
year than printed books from 10 of our libraries. We are living in
the digital world and customers expect us to offer our service in
a way they prefer.
Requesting a book online and being able to collect it at a
new local ‘click and collect’ location is more convenient for our
customers. The ability to take the service out into the community
where it is needed means that more people can experience our
offer without having to come to us.
Since 2014 the library service has evolved and improved.
In 2016 the opening of the Central Library in the city centre
had the effect of doubling library membership there and the
numbers of visitors to the library has significantly increased. This
has shown us that the vision we have outlined in this plan is the
right one, supporting resident’s clear expectations for modern
and flexible spaces with access to digital services and advice and
guidance in areas such as employment and health.
This Plan for Libraries describes our activities for the next three
years and the steps we will take to continue our evolution. Whilst
we are under significant financial constraints our plan involves
a commitment to invest in the future of the library service
to ensure our buildings, technology and resources are fit for
purpose now and into the future.
I am proud to say that Plymouth Libraries are now prepared to
participate more strategically in the city’s plans for the future and
welcome your comments, your suggestions, and your support, as
we work to realise our vision.
2017 - 2020
Assistant Director Customer Services Introduction
At Plymouth Libraries we’re passionate about the difference
we can make to the lives of the people of the city. Whether
we’re encouraging a love of reading, enabling users to embrace
technology and the digital world, or supporting health and
wellbeing through a range of activities, we have our customers at
the heart of everything we do.
Libraries are trusted sources of information with a brand that is
valued, non-judgmental and reliable.
It’s widely acknowledged that libraries are used very differently
from a decade or two ago yet our delivery model of 17 static
libraries across Plymouth hasn’t changed significantly in well over
15 years. Our challenge is to provide a delivery model that offers
consistency, value for money and meets the ever changing needs
of our customers.
The new Central Library has been a tremendous success with
increased visits, new members, computer use and book lending
compared to the old library on North Hill. This proves that we
must invest in buildings in the right locations to keep physical
libraries relevant, accessible and sustainable for the future.
Earlier this year we held a “Conversation” with the people of
Plymouth who told us that whilst traditional services are valued
increasingly users are accessing library services online. We issue
more eBooks than our smaller libraries combined.
Investment in technology means we needn’t be constrained by
our buildings, but able to provide our services to communities
where and when they need them. Pop-up libraries offering a
full range of our services including a ‘click and collect’ service
will soon be a reality within settings such as Children’s Centres,
Health and Wellbeing Hubs and Community Centres.
We’re excited about this plan to transform the library service
in Plymouth to enable more people to benefit from our wide
range of services.
Faye Batchelor-Hambleton
Assistant Director for
Customer Services
5
PLAN FOR LIBRARIES 2017 - 2020
Our vision is that...
“Plymouth Libraries will deliver
modern services that inspire learning
and creativity, improve health and
wellbeing, and support
digital inclusion.”
6
Almost one million people use Plymouth Library Services every year for cultural engagement
through literacy, learning and skills development. However, in light of the changing needs of library
users this statutory service needs to change to ensure future sustainability and to increase usage
throughout communities in the City.
In 2014, Plymouth City Council’s Cabinet recognised the need for fundamental changes to the
statutory service. This Plan sets out proposals for these changes and supports the Local Authority
during this pivotal time of unprecedented financial pressures and challenges to transform the
delivery of local services.
Our vision for a new approach to library service delivery has been determined through
a combination of community needs assessment, the Plymouth Plan and lengthy community
engagement.
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7
PLAN FOR LIBRARIES
Where we are now
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n Just 7 of our libraries account for:
n 80% of all library visits
n 75% of all items borrowed
n 75% of attendance at library events or activities
Information
Heatlh &
Wellbeing
Free WiFi
Books
Heatlh &
Wellbeing
Free WiFi
Cafe
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n More eBooks are borrowed each year than printed
books from 10 of our libraries
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Free WiFi
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Wellbeing
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Cafe
Cafe
17
Libraries
££
Cafe
Heatlh &
Wellbeing
n Cost per visit ranges from £0.93 to £28.26
Cafe
Heatlh &
Wellbeing
Staff
FTE 81.6
££
Cafe
Cafe
£
£
£
Average cost per visit
£4.78
8
n Opening hours and library offer are inconsistent across
the city
n Thinly spread staff means we can’t always deliver the
service our customers need
n Limited outreach offer with some areas of the city not
benefiting from a library service
2017 - 2020
Current library catchment
13
1 Central Library
2 Crownhill Library
6
3 Devonport Library
17
4 Efford Library
5 Eggbuckland Library
7
2
14
6 Ernesettle Library
5
7 Estover Library
10
9
11
8 Laira Library
9 North Prospect Library
4
15
10 Peverell Library
3
11 Plympton Library
1
8
16
12 Plymstock Library
12
13 Southway Library
14 St Budeaux Library
15 Stoke Library
16 Tothill Library
17 West Park Library
North
Locality
South
Locality
East
Locality
West
Locality
Two mile
radius
9
How will we deliver our Strategic Aims?
24
Online Offer
Our online offer is accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and provides an online library
catalogue, eBooks, audiobooks and magazines plus a range of premium online resources.
i
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In-Library Offer
Our library buildings will be fit for purpose and include meeting spaces so we are able to
offer a full range of services based around the offers of Reading and Literacy, Information
and History, Digital, Health and Wellbeing and Learning. They will be clean, modern and
welcoming and run by friendly and trained staff.
365
7
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Books
Books
Free WiFi
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Outreach Offer
Our outreach offer will increase. Investment in technology will mean we are able to take
the library into communities, providing a pop-up library with click and collect, activities and
services. This will include our Home Library Service for housebound users.
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PLAN FOR LIBRARIES 2017 - 2020
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community.
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Outreach Offer
Pop-up libraries across the city to include:
nRhymetimes
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n Book borrowing
n Signposting for advice and information
n Gadget sessions and online demos
In-Library Offer
Cafe
£
Staff
FTE 74.6
n Click and collect service
n Wider selection of eBooks and eMagazines
n Streaming films and music
£
n Consistent and enhanced offer across the city
n Modern, well maintained buildings with meeting spaces
n Full complement of fully, trained staff (no lone working)
n More than books… respondents to our recent questionnaire
told us that they would use the following services in the
future:
n Help with job seeking (72%)
n Digital skills training (71%)
n Access to council services (63%)
n
Finding health information (62%)
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PLAN FOR LIBRARIES
Proposed library locations
Widewell
1 Central Library
Tamerton
Southway
Foliot
7
Glenholt
2 Crownhill Library
Whitleigh
Ernesettle
3 Devonport Library
Estover
Derriford
Honicknowle
Kings
2
Tamerton
St Budeaux 6
Manadon
Leigham &
&
Crownhill
Mainstone
Weston Ham
Beacon Park &
Barne
Eggbuckland
Mill
Pennycross Hartley &
Barton
Mannamead
North
Higher
Prospect
Compton
Keyham
Efford
Peverell
Ford
Lipson &
Morice
Laira
Town
Mutley &
Stoke
Greenbank
4 Plympton Library
5 Plymstock Library
6 St Budeaux Library
7 Southway Library
3
Devonport
Stonehouse
1
City Centre
Goosewell
12
East
Locality
West
Locality
Plympton St Maurice
Plymstock
East End
Turnchapel
Hooe & Oreston
South
Locality
4
Mount Gould
5
North
Locality
Colebrook &
Newham
Woodford
Elburton &
Dunstone
Chaddlewood
Yealmpstone
2017 - 2020
Proposed library catchment
1 Central Library
7
2 Crownhill Library
3 Devonport Library
4 Plympton Library
2
6
5 Plymstock Library
6 St Budeaux Library
4
7 Southway Library
3
1
5
Two mile
radius
North
Locality
South
Locality
East
Locality
West
Locality
13
How can you get involved?
Email: [email protected]
Attend one of our open meetings: www.plymouth.gov.uk/planforlibraries
Facebook: PlymouthLibraries
Twitter: @PlymLibraries
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