Agenda Item No
The Vale of Glamorgan Council
Scrutiny Committee (Lifelong Learning): 27th July
2009
Director of Learning and Development
Annual Report on Library and Information Service Performance
2008-9
Purpose of the Report
1. To update Members on
the Library and Information Service’s progress in the context of
the Welsh Public Library Standards.
2. To approve the Annual
Return 2008-9 for submission to the Welsh Assembly Government.
Recommendations
1. That Members note the
current performance of the Library and Information Service in
relation to the Welsh Public Libraries Standards framework.
2. That Members approve
the Annual Return 2008-9 for submission to the Welsh Assembly
Government.
Reasons for the Recommendations
1. To keep Members
informed of progress.
2. To comply with the
requirement of the Welsh Assembly Government for formal approval of
the Annual Return 2008-9.
Background
3. The Welsh Public
Library Standards were introduced by the Welsh Assembly Government
in September 2001 as a common performance assessment framework for
public library services in Wales. The Standards have operated
as Three Year Frameworks, and the Annual Return now being submitted
is for the first year of the Third Framework, 2008-2011. A
copy of the Annual Return 2008-9 is attached at Appendix
1.
4. The Third Framework of
the Standards contains 14 Standards and 13 Performance
Indicators. The 14 Standards measure performance in the
following aspects of the Library and Information Service:
· Providing
suitable and appropriate access to services – both physical visits
and online
· Providing
services for those with particular needs
· Providing a
suitable range of reading and information materials in appropriate
formats
· Ensuring
that levels of investment are adequate in materials, staff and
buildings
· Ensuring
that responding to user views and needs is properly reflected in
the way the service is managed and developed.
5. Standards have been
calculated for each of these key areas, usually based on the
performance achieved by the best 25% of services in the UK.
Benchmarks for improvement have also been included based on the
performance being achieved by the best 10% of library services in
Wales. Library Services are expected to achieve as many of
the Standards as possible by March 2011 and to show improvement in
those areas where performance is weaker.
6. A set of 13 Performance
Indicators are also included. These provide more detailed
information about services and can identify the reasons for the
strengths and weaknesses of the service. This can assist in
correlating performances with key factors such as levels of
investment and can also improve the focus of the management of
services.
7. For the first time,
detailed information about the Authority’s performance
management processes is to be included in the Annual Return to
illustrate the extent to which library services contribute to
corporate aims and objectives and are linked to various Council
work programmes.
8. An Annual Return is
submitted to the Welsh Assembly Government outlining performance
for each year and written feedback is subsequently provided to each
authority. However, for the first time, the findings and
outcomes of the assessment process will be disseminated more
widely, by publishing a simple tabulated analysis of the
performance of each library service.
Relevant Issues and Options
9. The Annual Return for
2008-9 is the first for this Framework and due to the changes
outlined above it is difficult to predict what the Assessment will
say. It would appear that the Council achieves 9 of the 14
Standards and partly achieves the other 5. Performance
overall seems good and consistent with the improvements made in
recent years. The areas in which we don’t perform well are
related to the number of library items available for the public,
number of items added to stock, library floor areas, percentage of
professional librarians on the staff establishment, and the extent
to which the Library Entitlements are in operation.
10. The Welsh
Assembly Government will provide the Council with a formal
assessment of the Annual Report, probably in September. It
will be interesting to receive comparative information relating to
the Performance Indicators which will provide the Council with a
basis for comparison with other Councils in Wales for the first
time.
Resource Implications (Financial and Employment)
11. Performance in a number of areas
is directly related to the level of investment in the service and
comparative data on this for library authorities in Wales will be
provided with the assessment report in due course.
Legal Implications (to Include Human Rights Implications)
12. The
Council is a Library Authority under the terms of the Public
Libraries and Museums Act 1964 and as such has a statutory duty to
‘provide a comprehensive and efficient library service’. The
Public Library Standards provide a framework within which to
evaluate the performance of the service and to secure continuous
improvement.
Crime and Disorder Implications
13. There are
no direct implications arising from this Report.
Equal Opportunities Implications (to include Welsh Language
issues)
14. The
Standards address issues relating to equality of access to the
Library and Information Service, compliance with the Disability
Discrimination Act, and the provision of books and other materials
in the Welsh language.
Corporate/Service Objectives
15. Continued
progress towards achievement of the Public Library Standards is
identified as a key service objective in the Council’s Corporate
Plan 2006-2010.
Policy Framework and Budget
16. Actions
would fall within the Policy Framework, with budget implications a
matter for Executive decision.
Consultation (including Ward Member Consultation)
17. The
Library and Information Service consults with its users through
regular user surveys arranged in accordance with a national
framework of Public Library User Surveys. The Standards
include a number of user satisfaction indicators for adults and
children which are derived from the results of these surveys.
Data is also required based on the Council’s Public Opinion
Survey.
Relevant Scrutiny Committee
18. Lifelong
Learning.
Background Papers
‘Achieving higher standards: a performance
measurement and assessment framework for public libraries in Wales
– April 2008 – March 2011’. Welsh Assembly Government, 2008.
Contact Officer
Sian Jones
Chief Librarian
01446 709381
Officers Consulted
D.G Prosser
Head of Lifelong Learning
Responsible Officer:
Bryan Jeffreys
Director of Learning and Development