Libraries in a Connected Staffordshire
Appendix 5 – Proposed Support package for Community
Libraries
All Community libraries will receive a comprehensive support package during
implementation and throughout their operation.
The document sets out the proposed high level support package and draft
service level agreements that we anticipate being in place between
Staffordshire County Council and community libraries.
Libraries in a Connected Staffordshire
Support Package - Property
The support package can be tailored for each community library to meet their
individual needs.
Staffordshire County Council could:
• Maintain ownership and responsibility for the library building
• Lease the building to community groups on a peppercorn rent (Community
Managed only)
• Continue to provide all utilities including the maintenance to the
infrastructure (for example; the boiler)
• To continue to perform all general grounds and building maintenance in line
with current strategy
Libraries in a Connected Staffordshire
Support Package - Property
The support package can be tailored for each community library to meet their
individual needs.
Communities could:
• Pay Staffordshire County Council a peppercorn rent so long as the building is
used as a Library (Community Managed only)
• Maintain the internal decoration and fabric of the building
• Ensure that the building is open and safe for the public
• Have the opportunity to redesign the layout the Library but must seek the
landlords approval
Libraries in a Connected Staffordshire
Support Package - IT
The support package can be tailored for each community library to meet their
individual needs.
Staffordshire County Council could:
• Continue to provide all IT assets that are currently in place including all
support and refreshes in line with current IT Strategy
• Continue the provision of the Library Management Service
• Provide a helpline to assist with IT queries
• Provide training and support on the use of all necessary IT
Libraries in a Connected Staffordshire
Support Package - IT
The support package can be tailored for each community library to meet their
individual needs.
Communities could:
• Follow all procedures when using the IT equipment in line with training and
support material
• Ensure that the IT equipment is safe and ready to use for the public
• Ensure that all IT faults are escalated in the agreed manner to Staffordshire
County Council
• Have the opportunity to procure additional IT through self funding (any
additional IT will not be supported by Staffordshire County Council)
Libraries in a Connected Staffordshire
Support Package - Legal
The support package can be tailored for each community library to meet their
individual needs.
Staffordshire County Council could:
• Provide details on the necessary policies that need to be adhered to
• Conduct periodically service level agreements reviews
• Define the contract agreements and full service level agreements between
Staffordshire County Council and the community groups (Community
Managed only)
Libraries in a Connected Staffordshire
Support Package - Legal
The support package can be tailored for each community library to meet their
individual needs.
Communities could:
• Ensure that all volunteers are DBS checked (where appropriate) and adhere
to all to data protection standards
• Comply with the agreed service level agreements and escalate where noncompliance is likely
• Work with Staffordshire County Council to periodically review the service
level agreements and agree any necessary plan of action
Libraries in a Connected Staffordshire
Support Package - Finance
The support package can be tailored for each community library to meet their
individual needs.
Staffordshire County Council could:
• Set the budget for each community library and work with the community to
define how this funding will be spent (Community Delivered only)
• Continue to fund all utilities and Property related costs for all community
libraries
• Fund and replenish libraries book stocks
Libraries in a Connected Staffordshire
Support Package - Finance
The support package can be tailored for each community library to meet their
individual needs.
Communities could:
• Procure their own public liability insurance (Community Managed only)
• Manage and fund their own budgets (Community Managed only)
• Seek fund raising and grants that are not available to Local Authorities
(Community Managed only)
Libraries in a Connected Staffordshire
Support Package – Management
The support package can be tailored for each community library to meet their
individual needs.
Staffordshire County Council could:
• Provide Strategic Guidance to all Libraries across the network including all
Community Libraries
• Provide access to paid Staffordshire County Council staff to support and
guide each library
• Support in National Initiatives (for example, Summer Reading Challenge)
Libraries in a Connected Staffordshire
Support Package - Management
The support package can be tailored for each community library to meet their
individual needs.
Communities could:
• Set up/ merge a community group to manage and operate their library
(Community Managed only)
• Manage and rota all the volunteers
• Run the day to day operations of the Library
• Produce an annual report on performance
• Track and produce key performance data on an agreed basis