Agenda item

James Pearson (Head of Service for Libraries, Registration and Archives) and Jackie Taylor-Smith (Strategic Manager, Business Development, Libraries, Registration and Archives) were in attendance for this item.

1.    Mrs S Hohler (Deputy Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services) and Mrs Taylor Smith introduced the update report on the Library Extra pilot and the evaluation of the uptake across the three pilot sites: Deal (tier 1), Paddock Wood (tier 3) and Higham (tier 4). Following the success of the pilot, the report sought the Committee’s endorsement to continue the Library Extra pilot at each of the three sites for a further year; for Libraries, Registration and Archives (LRA) to explore the potential for a further pilot at a tier 2 and tier 5 library; and for Library Extra be made available on Sunday at both Paddock Wood and Higham libraries during the normal Sunday trading hours of 10am to 4pm. Mrs Taylor-Smith informed the Committee, that as a result of the analysis, it was proposed that LRA explore Library Extra as the way to deliver additional library access/opening hours where there was demand, this was explored following the question raised at a previous meeting of this committee to consider Parish Councils paying for additional opening hours. To support the delivery of the Library Extra service, LRA would undertake a review of the funding options available, including the potential use of S106 or CIL funding and the potential use of local member grants and future KCC capital funding.

2.    Officers responded to comments and questions as follows:

(a)  With regard to the facilities management issue, Mrs Taylor-Smith informed the Committee that the pilot helped identify the potential faults that could occur when operating technology assisted opening. While a solution was found to resolve the issues at Higham library, it was recommended that for any future Library Extra installations, a new automatic door be installed instead of retrofitting an existing door.

(b)  Mr Pearson responded to Members queries regarding Higham library and informed the Committee that LRA would liaise with the Parish Council to seek their views on how best to engage with the local community. The high level of community involvement and engagement was amongst one of the reasons why Higham was selected for the pilot and the analysis of the pilot would continue to inform the LRA Strategy going forward.

(c)  In response to concerns as to whether the scheme was a precursor to the conversion of non-hub libraries into a state of non-attainment, Mr Pearson expressed the view that this was not the case and the LRA service was founded on providing people with options which would always include times with paid staff, and said that the additional technology-assisted access was based on customer preference. Customer engagement was critical to the evolution of the service, and that being recognised, the LRA was able to offer a number of activities alongside the borrowing of books and was able to provide the same level of service outside of normal operating hours to those with the enhanced membership card.

3.    It was RESOLVED that the report be noted and that the recommendations to:

(a)  Continue the Library Extra pilot at each of the three sites for 1 year, which will enable the uptake and use of Library Extra to be assessed in the context of the new library opening hours. It is proposed that an interim report be prepared after 6 months in April 2020,

(b)   explore the potential for a further pilot at a tier 2 and tier 5 library; and

(c)   Make Library Extra available on Sunday at both Paddock Wood and Higham libraries during the normal Sunday trading hours of 10am to 4pm,

be endorsed.