Library Strategy Action Plan 2023 to 2033

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Introduction

Libraries affect the people of Dorset throughout their entire lives, from rhyme time for toddlers to digital literacy lessons for the elderly. The new strategy has been formed following extensive public consultation including a diverse range of workshops and over 12,500 survey responses from Dorset residents, partners, employees, Councillors and businesses. We also carried out a detailed analysis of community need across Dorset.

The new strategy seeks to provide Dorset communities with a library service that is modern, sustainable and accessible. 36 actions set out how we will work towards achieving our aims in the short term (2023 to 2026), medium term (2026 to 2029) and longer term.

The action plan is split into our 3 strategic themes: Inspire, Connect, Enable, with their 19 strategic aims. The plan links the actions to the five goals of the Dorset Council Plan. Milestones have been identified that can be used to measure progress and keep the new library strategy on course to meet the needs of the people of Dorset.

Inspire strategic aims

Inspire: to enrich lives through universal access to information, knowledge, learning and literacy and culture

 

Reference number Aim name Aim
1.1 Literacy Support language, literacy and reading for pleasure for everyone through lifelong learning; acquiring knowledge; developing skills and pursuing personal goals
1.2 Culture Host and deliver events & activities to inspire cultural connection and new experiences
1.3 Digital Support people to develop digital skills, removing digital barriers and building confidence
1.4 Local Businesses Support an innovative and thriving Micro and Small Medium Enterprise business network
1.5 Climate Inspire, inform and facilitate climate and ecologically positive actions and decisions

 

 

1.1 Literacy

Our aim: 

Support language, literacy and reading for pleasure for everyone through lifelong learning; acquiring knowledge; developing skills and pursuing personal goals

Action 1

Host and promote partners and events that improve literacy and STEM education in Dorset

Who we will work with

Skills and Learning, Dorset Careers Hub
Dorset Digital Skills Partnership
Dorset Council (DC) Children’s Services

Benefits

Creating stronger, healthier communities
Driving economic prosperity

Milestones

Library Service has a programme of events to promote and support and inspire STEM such as maths, chemi stories and coding days

Action 2

Collaborate with Dorset's speech and language service to support early years language and literacy programmes

Who we will work with

DC Children’s Services
NHS Speech and Language Service

Benefits

Creating stronger, healthier communities
Driving economic prosperity

Milestones

Library Service form part of Dorset’s Speech and Language communication pathway
NHS Speech and Language events are hosted at libraries

Action 3

Ensure library collections meet customer needs

Who we will work with

LibrariesWest
DC Equalities Reference Group

Benefits

Creating stronger, healthier communities
Becoming a more responsive, customer focused council

Milestones

Introduce and maximise evidence based stock management to improve stock purchasing by Autumn 2023
Refresh collection development policy and collection standards policy by Winter 2024

1.2 Culture

Our aim: 

Host and deliver events & activities to inspire cultural connection and new experiences

Action

Contribute to the Dorset Cultural Strategy through employing artists, creating activities and pursuing cultural funding opportunities from partners, such as the Arts Council

Who we will work with

Arts Development Company

Benefits

Creating stronger, healthier communities
Becoming a more responsive, customer focused council

Milestones

Be an active member of the Cultural Officers Group led by Arts Development Company by Summer 2023
Identify and explore opportunities for joint funding applications to the Arts Council by Autumn 2024

1.3 Digital

Our aim:

Support people to develop digital skills, removing digital barriers and building confidence

Action 1

Upgrade to full fibre internet connection at all library sites

Who we will work with

DC Assets and Regeneration
DC Digital Place

Benefits

Creating sustainable development and housing
Driving economic prosperity

Milestones

Connect all DC statutory libraries to full fibre by end of Winter 2024 (to be confirmed)

Action 2

Improve digital provision at libraries with computers, tablets, Digital Champions support and events

Who we will work with

DC Assets and Regeneration
DC Digital Skills and Adoption
Skills and Learning

Benefits

Protecting our natural environment, climate, and ecology
Creating stronger, healthier communities
Becoming a more responsive, customer focused council

Milestones

Train all library staff as embedded digital champions by end of 2023
Explore potential to expand iPad lending project in 2024 to 2025
Offer Wi-Fi printing at libraries by Spring 2025

Action 3

Ensure public access computer provision continues to meet customer needs

Who we will work with

DC Digital Place

Benefits

Driving economic prosperity
Becoming a more responsive, customer focused council

Milestones

Plan upgrade to Windows 11 operating system for public access computers by Winter 2024

1.4 Local businesses

Our aim:

Support an innovative and thriving Micro and Small Medium Enterprise business network

Action

Support local business networks with events, and exploring opportunities under The British Library Business and Intellectual Property (IP) Centres

Who we will work with

DC Economic Growth
Dorset LEP
DWP
Chambers of Commerce
Jobcentre Plus

Benefits

Creating sustainable development and housing
Driving economic prosperity

Milestones

Develop a business event plan with local partners by Spring 2025
Carry out a feasibility study for B&IP centres at largest libraries by Spring 2026

1.5 Climate

Our aim:

Inspire, inform and facilitate climate and ecologically positive actions and decisions

Action 1

Support and facilitate partners that promote climate and ecology positive actions

Who we will work with

DC Climate and Ecological Sustainability
DC Waste Services
Dorset Sustainability Hub

Benefits

Protecting our natural environment, climate, and ecology
Creating stronger, healthier communities
Creating sustainable development and housing

Milestones

Host climate partners at libraries by Winter 2024 providing advice and support on topics such as energy efficiencies and grants

Action 2

Provide outreach for Dorset Council’s Waste Services

Who we will work with

DC Waste Services
DC Organisational Development

Benefits

Creating sustainable development and housing
Protecting our natural environment, climate, and ecology
Becoming a more responsive, customer focused council

Milestones

Facilitate customer collection of new containers from local libraries via customer access points
Provide information and signposting on recycling practices and reducing waste by Winter 2023
Provide training for all library staff as part of workforce development plan by Spring 2025

Connect strategic aims

Connect: to connect with and meet the needs of our communities

 

Reference number Aim name Aim
2.1 Outreach Residents and partners are aware of everything the library service has to offer
2.2 Community needs Our service is designed to meet customer needs and supports community connection
2.3 Library network Local libraries thrive as part of a co-ordinated network of libraries including Dorset’s Community Managed Libraries
2.4 Accessibility Our open and inclusive service will ensure access is barrier free
2.5 Council's front door Libraries are at the heart of delivering council services to communities, acting as the council’s front door

 

2.1 Outreach

Our aim:

Residents and partners are aware of everything the library service has to offer

Action 1

Develop a marketing strategy which enables the effective promotion of library services to current and potential customers and partners and seeks to increase active usage

Who we will work with

DC Communications
DC Content Design Team

Benefits

Creating stronger, healthier communities
Becoming a more responsive, customer focused council

Milestones

Develop marketing action plan by Spring 2024 to include a re-vamp of library service webpages
Develop a promotional campaign linked to the launch of the new operating model and opening hours from April 2024

Action 2

Work with Dorset History Centre (DHC) to support confident signposting from library workforce to DHC, to promote collections and joint service offer

Who we will work with

Dorset History Centre (DHC)

Benefits

Creating stronger, healthier communities
Becoming a more responsive, customer focused council

Milestones

Reciprocal communications and promotion of services and events where appropriate by Winter 2024
Familiarisation and training on role of DHC and the provision of local and family history resources included within workforce development plan by Summer 2024
Offer to community led library volunteers to visit DHC (annually) for service familiarisation

2.2 Communities

Our aim:

Our service is designed to meet customer needs and supports community connection

Action 1

Co-create a calendar of events with communities and partners

Who we will work with

DC Communications, DC Web Team

Benefits

Creating stronger, healthier communities
Becoming a more responsive, customer focused council

Milestones

Align library calendar of events with the annual Dorset Council Equality, Diversity and Inclusion awareness calendar from Spring 2024

Action 2

Work with refugee resettlement programmes, welcoming refugees and asylum seekers into their community and providing relevant resources in their language

Who we will work with

DC Communities and Partnerships
DC Refugee Resettlement Service

Benefits

Creating stronger, healthier communities
Driving economic prosperity
Becoming a more responsive, customer focused council

Milestones

Take part in Refugee Resettlement events to deliver outreach of library activities from Summer 2023
Promote materials in native language to meet the needs of refugee communities by Summer 2023

Action 3

Collaborate with the Armed Forces Covenant programme to develop the library service’s role in supporting members of the Armed Forces and their families in Dorset

Who we will work with

DC Armed Forces Covenant (AFC)
DC Communities and Partnerships
Covenant Programme Board

Benefits

Creating stronger, healthier communities
Driving economic prosperity
Becoming a more responsive, customer focused council

Milestones

Provide library outreach at AFC events from Spring 2023
Update AFC paper resources at libraries with digital provision by Winter 2023
Refresh training for all library staff as part of workforce development plan by end of 2024

2.3 Library network

Our aim:

Local libraries thrive as part of a co-ordinated network of libraries including Dorset’s Community Managed Libraries

Action

Review and update Community Managed Libraries Service Level Agreement and provide a platform for communities to propose delivery of new community managed libraries

Who we will work with

DC Assets and Regeneration
Community Managed Libraries (CMLs)

Benefits

Creating stronger, healthier communities
Becoming a more responsive, customer focused council

Milestones

Carry out a review of the Community Managed Libraries Service Level Agreement by Summer 2024

2.4 Accessibility

Our aim:

Our open and inclusive service will ensure access is barrier free

Action 1

Collaborate with the Dorset Council equality, diversity and inclusion groups, networks, and governance to improve provision of accessible services

Who we will work with

DC Communities and Partnership

Benefits

Creating stronger, healthier communities
Becoming a more responsive, customer focused council

Milestones

Implement new operating model for Dorset Council libraries from Spring 2024

Action 2

Collaborate with the Dorset Council equality, diversity and inclusion groups, networks, and governance to improve provision of accessible services

Who we will work with

DC Assets and Regeneration
DC Employee Networks
DC Equalities Reference Group

Benefits

Creating stronger, healthier communities
Becoming a more responsive, customer focused council

Milestones

Explore and pilot a process to ‘walkaround’ and review library spaces to ensure inclusion and access in the widest possible sense by Spring 2024

2.5 Council's front door

Our aim:

Libraries are at the heart of delivering council services to communities, acting as the council’s front door.

Action

Provide customer service support at all libraries, including dedicated customer access points, in line with identified need and the customer transformation strategy

Who we will work with

DC Customer Services

Benefits

Creating stronger, healthier communities
Driving economic prosperity
Becoming a more responsive, customer focused council

Milestones

Review customer demand at customer access points in libraries by Winter 2023
Regularly host DC services offering outreach customer appointments at library sites by Winter2023.

Enable strategic aims

Enable: to create accessible, inclusive spaces for our communities to share and use

 

Reference number Aim name Aim
3.1 Multipurpose spaces Create inviting, flexible, well used spaces
3.2 Trusted spaces Provide safe trusted spaces
3.3 Community growth Sustainable buildings which keep pace with community growth
3.4 Community hubs Library services form part of community hubs
3.5 Health and wellbeing Provide space where residents can connect with health and wellbeing opportunities
3.6 Employee Empowerment Each employee feels valued and empowered, with career opportunities in the library service and Dorset Council more broadly
3.7 Employee Opportunities Flexible resourcing across our library network, allows employees to develop a range of skills and experience
3.8 Employee Development We offer inclusive routes to employment and development opportunities via apprenticeship programmes
3.9 Volunteering We have a strong partnership with, and wholly value the contribution of, our volunteers to the library service. We have a framework in place for supporting future partnerships to build on their success

3.1 Multipurpose spaces

Our aim:

Create inviting, flexible, well used spaces

Action 1

Develop an Asset improvement plan for our libraries network, including Blandford and Ferndown libraries, which require review and potential investment to become successful Library Connect locations.

Who we will work with

DC Assets and Regeneration

Benefits

Protecting our natural environment, climate, and ecology
Creating sustainable development and housing
Becoming a more responsive, customer focused council

Milestones

Scope assets plan for libraries by end of March 2024.

Action 2

Jointly pursue local capital receipt, grant funding and national funding opportunities to invest in building improvements as a council and community asset

Who we will work with

DC Assets and Regeneration

Benefits

Driving economic prosperity
Creating sustainable development and housing

Milestones

Submit funding bid for open access technology during 2023 to 2024.

Action 3

Review use of library spaces, especially by children and young people, to design library spaces around customer need

Who we will work with

DC Assets and Regeneration
DC Children’s Services

Benefits

Driving economic prosperity
Becoming a more responsive, customer focused council

Milestones

Complete the review of use of library spaces to inform development of asset improvement plan by end of 2024.

Action 4

Maximise availability and use of library spaces, including hiring, to increase its use and community value

Who we will work with

DC Assets and Regeneration
DC Digital Services

Benefits

Creating stronger, healthier communities
Becoming a more responsive, customer focused council

Milestones

Launch a new customer focused room booking system by Summer 2023.

3.2 Trusted spaces

Our aim:

Provide safe trusted spaces

Action 1

Establish libraries as inclusive, welcoming and trusted spaces, offering refuge and support

Who we will work with

DC Communities and Engagement

Benefits

Creating stronger, healthier communities
Becoming a more responsive, customer focused council

Milestones

Train library employees to provide signposting to local support groups by Summer 2024.

Action 2

Carry out an audit of accessibility in our buildings, including layouts, services delivery points, signage and quiet zones

Who we will work with

DC Assets and Regeneration
Equality Reference Group

Benefits

Creating stronger, healthier communities
Becoming a more responsive, customer focused council

Milestones

Carry out an accessibility audit by Summer 2024.

3.3 Community growth

Our aim:

Sustainable buildings which keep pace with community growth

Action 1

Utilise developer contributions and other sources of funding to invest in our libraries in areas of community growth and explore opportunities to ensure buildings remain in line with community need

Who we will work with

DC Assets and Regeneration
DC Planning

Benefits

Creating stronger, healthier communities
Becoming a more responsive, customer focused council

Milestones

Once library asset improvement plan has been developed by end of 2024, ensure full allocation of developer contributions, and use to access additional sources of funds.

Action 2

Work with Dorset Council Assets and Regeneration team to pursue local and national funding opportunities to install low carbon solutions on our library network

Who we will work with

DC Assets and Regeneration
DC Climate and Ecological Sustainability

Benefits

Protecting our natural environment, climate, and ecology
Creating sustainable development and housing

Milestones

Identify carbon neutral opportunities to feed into asset improvement plan by end of 2024.

3.4 Community hubs

Our aim:

Library services form part of community hubs

Action 1

Collaborate with services, partners and providers to help shape Dorset’s hub initiatives around local need

Who we will work with

DC Assets and Regeneration
DC Children’s Services
Citizens Advice

Benefits

Creating stronger, healthier communities
Becoming a more responsive, customer focused council

Milestones

Identify co-location and collaboration opportunities as part of Dorset’s hub initiatives, such as Dorset Health Village and Family Hubs
Design libraries family hubs offer by Spring 2024

Action 2

Continue engagement between the library service, assets and regeneration, other services and partners to identify opportunities in relation to relocation or co-location of services and in regard to 'one public estate'

Who we will work with

DC Assets and Regeneration
DC Services

Benefits

Creating stronger, healthier communities
Becoming a more responsive, customer focused council

Milestones

Included within scope of assets plan for libraries.

3.5 Health and wellbeing

Our aim:

Provide space where residents can connect with health and wellbeing opportunities

Action 1

Provide space where residents can connect with health and wellbeing opportunities, partners and groups

Who we will work with

DC Adult Social Care
Our Dorset Integrated Care System
Public Health Dorset
LiveWell Dorset

Benefits

Creating stronger, healthier communities
Becoming a more responsive, customer focused council

Milestones

Host annual LiveWell Dorset health and well-being outreach events at our libraries by Autumn 2023
Pilot the training of library staff as LiveWell Ambassadors by Winter 2024, who can sign post residents to LiveWell pathways
Include within workforce development plan by end of 2025

Action 2

Explore making connections with Dorset’s health and care networks and promote library’s social prescribing offer.

Who we will work with

Our Dorset Integrated Care System

Benefits

Creating stronger, healthier communities
Becoming a more responsive, customer focused council

Milestones

Develop relationships with appropriate health and care organisations by Winter 2024
Work with Patient Participation groups to develop services which meet their needs by Winter 2025

3.6 Employee empowerment

Our aim:

Each employee feels valued and empowered, with career opportunities in the library service and Dorset Council more broadly

Action 1

Undertake workforce transformation to realign our workforce to equip us to meet the aims and aspirations of the strategy

Who we will work with

DC Organisational Development

Benefits

Creating stronger, healthier communities
Driving economic prosperity
Becoming a more responsive, customer focused council

Milestones

Employees in position in new roles by Spring 2024

Action 2

Develop a new Workforce Development Plan which supports and empowers all employees in their employment pathway in the library service and Dorset Council

Who we will work with

DC Organisational Development
DC Equalities Reference Group
Libraries Connected

Benefits

Driving economic prosperity
Becoming a more responsive, customer focused council

Milestones

Implement Workforce Development plan with new operating model from Spring 2024
Actively support EDI Strategies and Accreditations the Council adopts
Further promote Employee Networks amongst library employees from Spring 2024

3.7 Employee opportunities

Our aim:

Flexible resourcing across our library network, allows employees to develop a range of skills and experience

Action

Utilise library employee’s strengths with shared learning and rotation throughout the network of libraries

Who we will work with

DC Organisational Development

Benefits

Driving economic prosperity
Becoming a more responsive, customer focused council

Milestones

Flexibly resource libraries by Summer 2024
Complete skills audit of teams so we can utilise strengths within service delivery from Spring 2025

3.8 Employee development

Our aim:

We offer inclusive routes to employment and development opportunities via apprenticeship programmes

Action

Develop library employees via apprenticeship programmes such as apprenticeships, pathway to employment, work experience and other national initiatives which build relevant skills for the service and for careers within the council

Who we will work with

DC Organisational Development

Benefits

Driving economic prosperity
Becoming a more responsive, customer focused council

Milestones

Further promote development opportunities for underrepresented groups
Explore opportunities for additional apprenticeships from Spring 2024

3.9 Volunteering

Our aim:

We have a strong partnership with, and wholly value the contribution of, our volunteers to the library service. We have a framework in place for supporting future partnerships to build on their success

Action

Review and promote the opportunities for volunteering in the library service

Who we will work with

DC Communications
Royal Voluntary Service

Benefits

Creating stronger, healthier communities

Milestones

Update the application process for volunteering with the library service by Autumn 2023
Co-ordinate the promotion of volunteer opportunities across the library network by end of 2024