Anthony Hopkins, Head of the Library, Heritage and Adult Education Service, introduced the item.  The report format has been changed to reflect the seven main objectives set out in the libraries strategy of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.  It was highlighted that the schools membership scheme is still the only one of its kind in the country.  This is contributing to library usage which is the highest in London.  The scheme is now being rolled-out to secondary schools. 

Performances at the new Wimbledon library arts space are high quality and well attended.  A First World War project has just concluded with a digital archive legacy that is making some information available for the first time.  There has been an increase in support for health, literacy and digital literacy and improvements have been made to the digital infrastructure in Merton’s libraries.  A survey of library users has found record levels of satisfaction.

Upcoming work will focus on reducing costs.  This will mainly be achieved through a change in the service structure with periods of self service and reduced staffing during times of low usage in library branches. 

The new build of a library in Colliers Wood library is on track.  Further work is planned with health and learning partners.  Income generation is being achieved by opening coffee shops in library facilities and all performance measures are on track.

In response to member questions, it was clarified:

·         Performance is very high.  It is benchmarked against that of other councils (Merton is out performing others).  However, a drop in performance is anticipated given forthcoming changes to the service structure;

·         The Great Expectations performance at the Wimbledon Library arts space wasn’t an income generating activity – it was subsidised by £19K of Arts Council funding.  However, without the additional funding, the council would not have been left exposed because the model will be for the performance organisers to take the risk;

·         All the new coffee shop facilities are being let to commercial providers with the council receiving a guaranteed rental income without having to take any of the risk;

·         At times of self-service there will always be a security guard on site as a minimum;

·         Overall the new art space at Wimbledon library hasn’t had an impact on the level of books stocked.  When the building was reconfigured, it was possible not to lose space for lending stock.  There has been a reduction in reference stock due to changes in the way customers access information and with some information now made available solely online by publishers.  Spend on stock is down but this hasn’t had a significant impact on loan levels and usage.  Stock borrowing is slightly down but use of e-resources is growing;

·         Loyalty schemes are part of the summer reading scheme for 4 – 12 year olds which is a competition to encourage reading.  Prizes are being built into the secondary school scheme currently being developed.  This will encourage young people to read with prizes offered through sponsorship of the scheme; and

·         Faith groups and other community groups are part of the on-going outreach of the heritage strategy to widen participation.