How does Camden Libraries work with the BL?
I meet regularly with Liz Jolly, Chief Librarian, and Liz White, Director of Library Partnerships. These meetings are invaluable as they provide insight to what our national library is working on and helps me understand their challenges as a large organisation. It’s interesting to compare the synergies of a local library services’ struggles with changing the perception of what a modern public library service can offer with a national library.
As part of our Camden Libraries staff conference in June we also welcomed Sally Halper, Director of Research Services, and Claire Wotherspoon, Head of Reference Services, to discuss the services that the British Library offer and how we can work together to refer customers to each other.
We are at the start of a journey with BL, working with Sally and Claire, on a joined-up staff development approach so both teams will come together on a quarterly basis to benefit from training on user engagement, information literacy and much more. Sally says: “Working with Camden Libraries on skills development is a great opportunity to learn from each other’s experiences and share good practice as well as developing our knowledge and practical skills. We’re really looking forward to taking this forward.”
Living Knowledge Network, LibraryOn and much more
We’re excited that Camden Libraries are the first London Library service to become a member of the Living Knowledge Network - a fantastic peer network of library services across the country who share best practice. The LKN is centred on exchanging knowledge and developing memorable experiences for public library users and does so by giving access to British Library curated exhibition panels to support simultaneous exhibitions and in-library screening experiences. Camden Libraries are about to launch their first Living Knowledge Network exhibition, Fantasy, which will be launched at Swiss Cottage Library at the end of October.
These have been developed and supported through discussions with BL, including workshops as part of our staff conference with Katherine Blamire, Head of the Living Knowledge Network, to help the Camden team think about ideas for the Fantasy exhibition.
As a result not only will we be live-streaming some of the fantastic events programmed by the British Library for the exhibition period from 27th October 2023 to 25th February 2024 but we will also run our own events and activities on the theme of Fantasy including an exhibition and talk in the Local Studies and Archive centre in Holborn Library and a poetry and drawing competition for the borough.
Katherine Blamire shares “We are hugely looking forward to working in partnership with Camden Libraries on our next exhibition. It’s inspiring to have this vibrant community centred library service on our doorstep, and we’ve already been having exciting conversations with teams in the Borough ahead of the exhibition opening.
Camden Libraries will be a great benefit to the Network as a whole. Having an LKN partner near to the British Library in St Pancras will help us understand more fully the local application of our collaborative cultural activities and help us to improve the impact of our partnerships for communities across the UK.”
We were also pleased to host the first London Libraries Seminar since the pandemic at our newly decarbonised Swiss Cottage library. It was a lovely opportunity for colleagues from across London to come together, network and hear from some great speakers including two colleagues from the British Library Liz White, Director of Library Partnerships, who presented on the new BL strategy Knowledge Matters and the importance of partnerships and Jill Brown, Digital Grants Manager working on the LibraryOn project who explored how LibraryOn is supporting digital discoverability.
Over the Summer Camden Libraries worked with Camley Street nature reserve and the LibraryOn team created a video to celebrate libraries work to support nature and the green agenda which was released to mark #GreenLibrariesWeek. Camden Libraries and library users (plus our leisure spaces run by GLL) have been testing spaces for the BETA version of LibraryOn. Camden Libraries have been invited to be on the strategic steering group for the new community engagement space which will launch in December at the British Library which is very exciting and will give us an opportunity to promote our offer in a new venue and join up with the British Library on promoting libraries as places of knowledge and idea sharing.
Camden Libraries is also increasing its engagement with the British Library Business and IP Centre (BIPC) network, purchasing the COBRA business resource so it can offer remote access to this valuable tool to those who access the fantastic BIPC at the British Library. We are working with Uto Patrick, the BIPC London Network Manager, so that Camden Libraries team members can access practitioner sessions along with other public library staff.
And finally…
Colleagues from the British Library also fed into our LGA Peer Challenge in June which was a great opportunity for us to benefit from external input and support. In particular we’ll be looking at seven key recommendations from that process, one of which is to build on the partnership working with the British Library and other key partner organisations in the Knowledge Quarter. Camden Libraries are planning to develop a library reading strategy by working with the Reading Agency and input from key stakeholders including the British Library.
So, it has been a busy year with lots going on and some great new partnership working developed. I am proud to say I have become a member of the British Library this year and Camden Libraries is looking forward to continuing the work together with the British Library and the Knowledge Quarter.
]]>What is the Green Libraries Partnership?
Launched in February 2022, in response to COP26 and the long-term climate commitments made by libraries and local authorities across England, the Green Libraries Partnership brought libraries together as a collective voice to learn, inspire and engage with the sector and beyond to support a better climate agenda. Led by CILIP and supported by partners Libraries Connected, Julie’s Bicycle and the British Library, thanks to funding for phase 1 from Arts Council England we have undertaken research, developed an online hub to capture and share best practice, offered a grant fund, and hosted the first ever Green Libraries Conference.
Green Libraries Campaign
This week we will be launching the Green Libraries Campaign, an initiative which will represent a new phase of development for libraries in supporting climate action. This will include include:
We want to develop a UK-wide, cross-sector, longer-term programme to encourage and support libraries to actively reduce their own carbon footprint. The programme also aims to support all libraries in their initiatives to increase environmental awareness within the communities they serve and activities to enable those communities to take positive action for the planet.
Our Green Libraries Survey in 2022 helped us to understand what public libraries are already doing to be green, what they would like to do, and what would help make this possible. We have four case studies that showcase existing examples from the landscape of current work in libraries around environmental action.
Next steps for the Green Libraries Campaign include collecting climate change related data and evidence of climate action from libraries across all sectors to grow the evidence base.
The Green Libraries Grants Fund 2022 offered small-scale grants to support environmental activity in public libraries in England. Applications were sought for grants of up to £2,500 per organisation or consortium for projects which explored and demonstrated Environmental Responsibility through innovative ideas.
The first round concluded in August 2022 with grants awarded to 15 public library services.
The Green Libraries Campaign has recently launched a sponsorship campaign to secure the continuation of the Grant Fund.
The GLP hosted our inaugural Green Libraries Conference in March 2023 showcasing more than a year’s worth of sustainable and attainable green initiatives across the sector.
Over 100 delegates representing libraries and local government came together at the Wellcome Collection in London to discuss the unique position libraries hold in educating, raising awareness and acting for the environment. The keynote speech was delivered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay, Minister for Arts and Heritage.
The themes from the 2023 conference were captured live in the image below.
We are planning for the next Green Libraries Conference in 2024. Keep an eye out in the coming months for the confirmed date.
Growing impact and collaborative potential
Libraries across the UK are ideal places to offer scientific information, inspire action and connect different communities and organisations that can make a difference. The Campaign is actively adding new partners, including the recent addition of Society of College, National and University Libraries (SCONUL), which will create a new powerful link with university libraries and climate science base. Our common aim is to respond to climate challenges by creating innovative solutions delivered in collaboration with our local communities. Working together will enable us to accelerate our learning and successes. Green Libraries Week helps us to share and celebrate our work.
For more information, visit us at www.cilip.org.uk/GreenLibraries
Follow us on Follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter - @CILIPinfo and @librariesweek
Instagram - @cilip_uk and @librariesweek
Our LinkedIn page – CILIP: The library and information association
]]>
Libraries have shown their flexibility and ingenuity in support of a better climate future. They are looking at how they can improve their buildings and operations, but equally as important, they are using the physical and virtual spaces to support library users in going green, and supporting the local communities that they serve to support climate action.
During Green Libraries Week, 2 to 8 October, Green Libraries Partnership are working with libraries across the UK to encourage library users and non-users of all ages to ‘Go Green at the library’. The Green Libraries Week interactive map plots the innovative and exciting green events and activities that are taking place around the country.
Activities include:
Be inspired and find out more here - https://librariesweek.org.uk/
]]>Libraries are the perfect setting to engage youth audiences, with entrepreneurial activities attractive to even the hardest to reach teenagers.
Oxford Westgate Library became a member of the British Library Business & IP Centre (BIPC) National Network one year ago. Since BIPC Oxfordshire launched it has engaged and supported thousands of young people with enterprising activities, contributing to Oxfordshire County Councils priority to ‘create opportunities for children and young people to reach their full potential.’
The centre’s versatile design allows us to meet the needs of all audiences and has proven extremely popular for youth engagement. It also features a marketing suite with green screen, professional lighting, teleprompter, light photo boxes, podcasting and video recording equipment, virtual reality headsets, drones, interactive screens, scrum boards and more.
With the British Library giving centres the autonomy to respond to local needs, a goal of BIPC Oxfordshire is to introduce entrepreneurial activities to children and young people, whilst boosting awareness and engagement with the wider library resources.
A recent impact report highlighted 36% of BIPC Oxfordshire service users were aged 35 or under. We have managed this by partnering with and supporting the objectives of youth organisations, services and professionals.
Importantly, whether hosting events, creating bespoke workshops, advising teaching staff or introducing young people to the business resources such as COBRA database, we have also ensured that young people know their local library is well-equipped to support them when starting their own business.
Externally we have supported numerous local and national organisations, including:
- Young Enterprise
- National Citizen Service
- Schools and colleges (both public and private)
- Specialist education needs schools
- Ukrainian refugees
- University departments and societies
- Careers festivals and community events
Internally we have also supported a number of the council’s teams, including:
- Targeted youth support service
- Education employment & training team
- Youth justice
- Climate action team
- Apprenticeships
Most recently the centre delivered provisions for the Department for Education summer holiday activities and food programme (HAF), engaging young people in receipt of benefit-related free school meals in activities that included; inventors academy, future technologies and music-videography workshops. This programme helped to successfully engage teenagers that weren’t offered opportunities across other HAF providers, “I would be sat in my room all summer if not here” commented one participant.
Funding requires we provide a daily meal, and so we linked up with a nearby burrito restaurant, popular with teenagers, and provided fresh fruit and refreshments across the day.
We have also had the opportunity to support community members to launch their own youth activity start-up. Get Fed CIC, an organisation that supports schools with young people at risk of exclusion and exploitation by introducing them to entrepreneurial skills through operating their very own coffee van, was one of these.
During the British Library launch of the Democratising Entrepreneurship 2.0 report hosted at House of Lords, one of the young people supported by GET Fed was able to attend, having never visited London before and impressing dignitaries with his enthusiasm.
The work with young people has received a lot of attention both internally within the local authority and externally, with BIPC Oxfordshire recently winning the libraries connected ‘children’s promise award.’
We have had many wins with our youth engagement approaches in the first year of delivery. As we continue to map the Oxfordshire eco-system more opportunities to engage young people within the library in innovative, collaborative, and impactful ways present themselves. Our arms remaining wide open to support all community members, ideas and opportunities.
]]>
Since her appointment in September 2022, Baroness Sanderson has been engaging with the libraries sector to support the development of a new government public libraries strategy. She has visited library services and spoken to a wide variety of individuals and organisations. She also held 9 in-depth themed discussion sessions over 5 months, where she heard about successes of the sector as well as the challenges it is facing, and was given some ideas for things that she might recommend that a future strategy looks at. The last one of these was held in June. We tried to get as many different voices as possible to these, from within the sector and beyond - in total there were 101 individuals involved. We are grateful to all the library services across the country who hosted these sessions, as well as to the LGA where we held our final session on blue skies.
Reflections on the deep dive sessions
Baroness Sanderson and the DCMS team have been really pleased with, and grateful for, the enthusiasm and commitment of all attendees and contributors to the process. A big thank you to those from within and outside the libraries sector for their readiness to contribute to an open and frank conversation.
The deep dive sessions have been wide ranging and thought provoking. Over the nine sessions we have seen some clear themes emerge such as the importance of robust data that will support advocacy with government and other public services, and the challenge of raising awareness of the range of things libraries do (to decision makers as well as the public) to encourage more people to use their services.
Having taken some time to reflect on the deep dive sessions along with all the things she learned from her wider visits and meetings, Baroness Sanderson has now begun to write her report which will bring alive the thoughts and ideas she has heard from all her conversations and visits.
Lord Parkinson, the Libraries Minister, expects to receive Baroness Sanderson’s report in the summer which he will then consider and respond to. The DCMS Libraries team will then start drafting the new Government strategy for public libraries. Once a strategy document is drafted then we will then undertake further consultation with the sector from autumn onwards, prior to publication in early 2024.
A big thank you!
We want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has contributed to Baroness Sanderson’s report through hosting visits, participating in the deep dive sessions, individual meetings and emailing or writing in with ideas. We look forward to continuing to develop the libraries strategy with the sector and beyond during the next phase of engagement.
]]>The King's Birthday Honours mark the extraordinary contributions and service of people across the UK. Congratulations to the 8 people who were awarded honours in recognition of their contribution to libraries in England. You can read more below about some of the work they have done.
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Phil Spence. Chief Operating Officer, The British Library
Phil has led the national library with distinction as Chief Operating Officer (previously Director of Operations and Services) since 2006. He is the engine room that ensures the Library can deliver on its vision, responsible for a wide range of functions, including finance, planning, strategic risk and security, IT, remote customer services, the Reading Rooms, Human Resources, commercial activities, and estates.
Catherine Diana Courtney. Project Director, Artists' Lives, British Library.
Catherine’s commitment to National Life Stories (NLS), the oral history fieldwork charity based at the British Library, has made an immense contribution to cultural life in the UK. Her 34 years of service has been instrumental in capturing over 450 audio biographies, which have been archived at the British Library for researchers now and in the future. She has been a pioneer of the long-life story interview technique, has trained and guided numerous interviewers, and has been instrumental to fundraising for NLS to be able to record countless more oral histories.
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Christine Elizabeth Myhill. Libraries and Heritage Manager, Gateshead and Chair, Association of Senior Children's and Education Librarians (ASCEL)
As Chair of the National Association of Senior Children’s and Education Librarians (ASCEL), Christine has worked tirelessly to ensure libraries are strategically placed to contribute to and influence national developments in the delivery of public library services and schools’ library services for children and young people.
Caroline Thomson Rae. Libraries and Community Assets Manager, London Borough of Newham.
Caroline has worked in public libraries for over 20 years and is currently the strategic lead for libraries in the London Borough of Newham, having previously worked in Waltham Forest and Essex. Apart from her role in Newham, Caroline has been an executive member of London Libraries (regional branch of Libraries Connected) since 2017, she was president from 2018-22 and has been treasurer since 2022. She is the Libraries Connected Universal Digital Offer Regional Lead for London, a role she’s held since 2017 and Libraries Connected Advisory group member since 2018. Caroline has also been a strategy group member of The Libraries Consortium (a consortium of 23 library authorities across London and surrounding counties who share books and resources and work to deliver a cost-efficient, quality library service) for over 10 years. Since 2021, Caroline has been a member of The Reading Agency Summer Reading Challenge strategy group.
Janet Sally Zmroczek. Lately Head, European and Americas Collections, British Library.
Janet has served the British Library for almost 39 years. From 2015-2022 she was the Head of European and Americas Collections, previously holding roles as Cataloguer (of British and Slavonic books), Curator (of Polish, Baltic and Central Asian Collections) and managing Slavonic and East European Collections and European Collections. Among her many achievements at the British Library was the Google Books Digitisation Project, which Janet initially scoped in 2011 and played a key role in leading until her retirement. The project, a partnership between the British Library and Google, involves digitising and making available online out-of-copyright books, music and pamphlets from the 16th to 19th centuries. Over 600,000 volumes have been digitised to date.
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Kimberly Bryans. For services to Community Managed Libraries in the London Borough of Bexley.
When the two local libraries were about to close in 2016, Kimberly took the initiative and negotiated with the London Borough of Bexley council for their transformation into Community Libraries to be run by her and up to 25 volunteers from the surrounding area, including mentally challenged adults. Her selflessness in both time and effort, and her resourcefulness (seeking out funding, grants and donations) has meant they not only continue to survive but are successful.
Karolynne Anne Hart. Cultural and Arts Programme Manager, Gateshead Libraries.
Karolynne has made an outstanding contribution to the development of Gateshead Libraries as a place for accessible, diverse, and creative activities. She has improved people’s lives by devising and developing ambitious projects. Most recently she secured funding from Arts Council England and the Baring Foundation to develop ‘Art Diamonds’, a three-year creative programme for people of retirement age.
Julia Robinson. Principal Librarian, South Tyneside Council.
Julia is passionate about public libraries and the impact they can have on communities. She has been an advocate for libraries, arts and culture regionally and nationally, and has had a huge impact on libraries in South Shields, creating welcoming, inclusive places and services. She leads the delivery of library services in South Tyneside where she has played a key role in developing new libraries including, The Word, Hebburn Central and Jarrow Focus.
Nominate somebody for an Honour
There are so many people at all levels across the libraries sector that do great things; on the frontline and volunteering, as well as those in senior positions.
The Honours process provides a great opportunity to recognise outstanding individual achievements. There are many people in the United Kingdom who are committed to making a significant positive difference to the lives of other people. This could be through volunteering in the local community or enhancing the UK’s reputation through excellence in their chosen field. Through the Honours process, these individuals are awarded and celebrated.
If you know of someone who you would like to nominate for a national honour we would love to hear from you.
We are looking for candidates who have:
Information on how to submit a nomination can be found on GOV.UK.
Following the successful collaboration with the libraries sector to celebrate the Jubilee last year, DCMS Libraries Team decided to do something similar for the Coronation.
Connections made during the Jubilee were re-established and Libraries Connected, Arts Council England (ACE), The British Library, BBC, BFI, The Reading Agency, The National Archives and the Local Government Association came together to share plans.
For DCMS, we got a good overview of the different events taking place, and more importantly, how we could encourage libraries and archives to help bring celebrations to every community.
The main events are taking place over the weekend but there are activities continuing beyond.
There is much on offer to to help with celebrating the Coronation:
It’s not too late to plan a celebration. If you’re looking for something to take part in, search the site for events and activities in your area, just type in your town or postcode. You can also take part in The Big Lunch or look for volunteering opportunities (not just for the COronation Weekend) as part of The Big Help Out
If you’re hosting an event, the Coronation Toolkit is full of ideas and resources to help with your celebrations, and if your event is public don’t forget to add it the events list.
If you’re planning social media, take a look at the social media toolkit for some suggestions.
Share your celebrations with us on social media by using and @DCMSLibraries on Twitter, #Coronation, #TheBigHelpOut
Is there a role for libraries in supporting economic growth and prosperity locally and more widely? And how do we measure what makes a difference?
If prosperity can be defined as the condition of being successful or thriving[1], especially in terms of economic wellbeing, the question posed is whether libraries can impact individuals and communities in the drive to prosperity.
Libraries support businesses and individuals by providing information, and by signposting to sources of support and advice. Libraries also have a long-standing tradition of helping individuals into work by providing the means and support for digital skills and lifelong learning. But how effective is this?
Prosperity and Libraries
In 2021 the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM) developed a Library Transformation Strategy that aimed to put the service onto a more sustainable footing. The vision that emerged was that Royal Borough Libraries would equip residents to aspire and thrive.
The service would:
Library and Job Centre Partnership
The local Job Centre needed a more suitable location to see young people not in education, employment or training and identified the library as a comfortable and familiar space for this cohort.
The DWP was not able to pay the standard hire fee for use of library spaces, so an alternative delivery proposal was developed. Its aim was to improve employment outcomes or prospects of future employment outcomes for long-term unemployed individuals and groups facing the most complex and intractable barriers to work.
In return for use of library spaces, the DWP funds additional staff in libraries who provide help to customers in their employment journey.
The Library Service provides:
Partners include the National Careers Service, Talking Therapies and Optalis who give advice and guidance, CV support and interview support in libraries. The Service organises job fairs and employment events for DWP clients and other Borough residents as well as provider support networking events.
Evaluation
Libraries have been supporting people into employment for a very long time. In the past the difficulty has been collating and measuring the impact of library support on those looking for work. This project has enabled this impact to be evaluated against nationally set priorities.
The initial targets were:
The 12-month period is still underway; however 245 claimants have been seen so far and 219 helped with interview preparation. This significantly exceeds the original targets. 50 claimants have moved into education, training and supported employment, exceeding those targets too. The other outcomes are currently being collated but the expectation is that all targets will be met.
If both parties are in agreement, there is the possibility of the funding being available for the next 3 years, based on DWP priorities over that period.
]]>Baroness Sanderson’s engagement work to support the development of a new government public libraries strategy is now well underway. In October she blogged on some of the visits she had made to start the work she is doing with us. Since then she’s spoken to a variety of individuals and organisations, with still more on her list to come.
In January, Baroness Sanderson began a series of 9 in-depth discussion sessions with a wide range of people – both within and outside the sector – looking at the successes of the sector as well as the challenges confronting it and possibilities for the future. These sessions are taking place in libraries all over the country from Ipswich to Leeds, focusing on one of the 7 strategic outcomes in Ambition, plus sessions on libraries governance and ‘blue sky thinking’.
Emerging themes
So far, we have completed five sessions and have been really pleased with, and grateful for, the enthusiasm and commitment of attendees, including Arts Council, Libraries Connected, the Local Government Association and others, to the process and their readiness to contribute to an open and frank conversation. The conversations have been wide ranging and thought provoking covering issues such as the need for improved data collection to better showcase the impact of public libraries, how libraries can most effectively raise awareness of their local and national offer and the importance of seeing libraries as an investment rather than a cost.
We’re looking forward to the final four sessions before Baroness Sanderson takes some time to reflect on them, along with all the things she learns from her wider visits and meetings, before bringing a report and recommendations to the Libraries Minister on what might go into the next government public libraries strategy.
Do you have ideas to contribute to this work?
Baroness Sanderson is keen to build her knowledge, learn from others’ experiences and listen to ideas about what she might recommend is included in her report. If you have any ideas you’d like to contribute, please email libraries-strategy@dcms.gov.uk.
To coincide with CILIP's Green Libraries Conference on 24 March 2023, we are sharing this case study from Camden libraries.
Swiss Cottage Library
Swiss Cottage Library is seen by many as a masterpiece among London’s civic buildings and was designed by Sir Basil Spence, opening to the public in 1964. The library which is 52,506 square feet, is an important community hub, event space and the largest library operated by Camden Council.
The library needed renewal with fabric, mechanical and electrical infrastructure being at end of life, leading to poor internal conditioning of the building and high levels of heat loss. This combined with the knowledge that the library is also one of the largest consumers of energy on the council’s estate, made it a priority site for improvement. With the inception of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) it was an ideal time for the council to deliver improvements that would secure the site’s future whilst also looking to introduce low carbon technologies to meet the council’s commitment to do everything it can to make Camden Net Zero by 2030.
Over a 2-year period, the council designed and delivered a project that would improve energy efficiency, decarbonise the heating source and address fabric repairs at the library. The final cost was £3.7m, of which £1.4m was funded through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme and the remaining £2.3m by the council. The first phase focused on the upgrade of all existing florescent lighting to LED lighting and the upgrade of existing single-glazed windows and north lights to high quality double glazing. The second phase of works included the installation of an Air Source Heat Pump which is now the primary heat source to the building, whilst internal wall and roof insulation and new air handling units with heat recovery were also introduced to reduce heat loss. The project is predicted to make significant savings to the council’s running costs at more than £31,000 a year whilst also delivering annual carbon savings of 138 tonnes of CO2e.
The funding from PSDS has enabled the council to go beyond a like for like replacement solution and deliver a project that has holistically aimed to improve the building fabric before transitioning to a low carbon heating technology . This would not have been possible without the funding that was made available from the PSDS fund, with council budgets continuing to be stretched. The project will ensure that building users will have better comfort levels and will ensure that it remains an important hub for use by the local community. The project is also being used a blueprint for future low carbon retrofits that the council is planning across its corporate estate.
Insights into challenges and successes faced by the grant recipient during project delivery.
Advice for future applicants
Next steps
Camden Council are now looking at similar projects at Highgate and West Hampstead Libraries
]]>