Agenda item

To comment and note the progress Libraries, Registration and Archives (LRA) has made over the financial year 2017-18.

James Pearson (Head of Service Libraries, Registration & Archives) was in attendance for this item.

1.    Mr M Hill, OBE (Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services) introduced the report that set out the Libraries, Registration and Archives (LRA) performance against the outcome-based specification for 2017-2018. Mr Hill reminded Members that LRA was one of the first services to be internally commissioned and was within it’s third year of delivery.

2.       Mr Pearson said that the LRA Service Specification used Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and an outcome evaluation framework to measure its quality of service delivery.  The development of the outcome evaluation toolkit generated a new approach to capturing data. This new methodology was being delivered via masterclass training sessions to other authorities working with the National Libraries Taskforce, allowing others to view and adopt a new way of working. Mr Pearson acknowledged that the KPI table (page 34) indicated a downward trend in terms of library usage, however, this was in line with national trends. LRA had also planned for short-term refurbishments or closures of library buildings at key sites, including Tonbridge and Cliftonville last financial year. Mr Pearson assured Members that there had been an increase in the number of e-issues which included e-books, e-newspapers and e-magazines. In terms of the red indicator (KPI18 – Library Community Outreach), LRA was looking at new innovative ways to promote its existing schemes such as the ‘Home Library Service’ or ‘Touch a New World Scheme’, using social media platforms such as Facebook. Mr Pearson summarised the positive outcomes of the Ambition Statement as attached at Appendix 1 using a series of statements which highlighted LRAs high quality of service delivery and the positive difference LRA was making to people’s lives.

3.    In response to Members enquires regarding career development within LRA, Mr Pearson said that one of the key strategic priorities was staff training and ensuring that all staff were holistically equipped with the correct skills. Initially, the Kent History and Library Centre had an integrated team which created a number of issues around training. Upon reflection of this the LRA team took the decision to create a separate archives team and looked at ways to introduce a career development programme for that specific field of expertise. Mr Pearson said that staff required a multitude of skills, a key element of which was the development of customer service training, however, it was important to ensure that staff had both the time and space to learn new skills. Libraries Connected, a national organisation also offered a host of pathways for skill development including national shadowing whereby staff would be given the opportunity to learn from other services. In terms of succession planning, LRA hoped to introduce a new apprenticeship scheme and develop its digital training to future-proof the success of digitalised library services. 

4.    Members commended the work of the LRA service and the pivotal role it played within a community.

5.    RESOLVED that the progress made by LRA over the financial year 2017-2018, be noted.