This document discusses the role of libraries in serving community needs. It outlines objectives like tackling poverty, education, and supporting vulnerable people. The document suggests that libraries should focus on creating connections in the community rather than just their collections. An infographic presents potential new roles for librarians, including relationship builder, problem solver, and trend spotter. The library of the future will need to stimulate and facilitate useful community connections.
5. What does the community of
Denbighshire want?
Welsh
Government
Council
One Stop
Shop
Local
interest
groups
charities
Education.
FE
Schools
Citizens
Advice
Job Centre
DWP
Users
(and non-
users)
Local
Health
Services
6. • Tackling poverty
• Growth and sustainable jobs
• Education
• 21st Century healthcare
• Welsh homes and supporting
people
• Highly skilled workforce
• Vibrant towns and communities
• Students achieve their potential
• Vulnerable people are able to live as
independently as possible
• To create an attractive environment for visitors
and residents alike
5 Outcome agreements of the
Welsh government with
Denbighshire County Council
OBJECTIVES IN DCC
CORPORATE PLAN
2012-2017
7. From collection to
connection- The library of
the future will need to
focus more on creating,
stimulating and facilitating
useful connections” pg 7. The
library of the future
8. Poetry reading on World
Book Day. 2016.
Bookstart at Christmas
Dan Whelan visit this February
10. Cybrarian
Relationship
builder
Aware of current
community needs
Opportunist
Storyteller
Enabler
Problem solver
Systems analyst
People
manager
trend spotter
An appreciation of the value
of literacy and power of
fiction
Open communicator
Present in the
community
11.
12. Image Credits and references
• Space image; http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/hubble_friday_03042016.jpg
• Darth Vader; https://www.flickr.com/photos/cincinnatipubliclibrary/7142702813/in/photostream
• Princess Leia; http://pin.it/dRuzt9k
• CA https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/wales/about-us/how-we-provide-advice/advice/search-for-your-local-citizens-advice/local-
citizens-advice-details/?serialnumber=559806
• Denbighshire County Council Corporate Plan https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/your-council/strategies-plans-and-
policies/corporate-strategies/corporate-plan-2012-17-en.pdf
• Hanson, M.” No toilets, self-service machines and noise: shopping is hell for us older people” 15th May 2016 Guardian
http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/may/15/no-toilets-self-service-machines-noise-shopping-hell-for-us-older-
people?CMP=oth_b-aplnews_d-2
• Healthy Prestatyn Iach http://healthyprestatyniach.co.uk/
• Houston, W. The Greatest love of all.
• Lankes, R D. Expect more http://davidlankes.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/ExpectMoreOpen.pdf
• Osbourne,S “Asda held a 'quiet hour' for autistic shoppers – now other shops are doing the same” 9th May 2016 Independent
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/asda-held-a-quiet-hour-for-autistic-shoppers-now-other-shops-are-doing-the-
same-a7020946.html
• Oldenburg, R. The Great Good Place: Cafes, Coffee Shops, Bookstores, Bars, Hair Salons, and Other Hangouts at the Heart of a
Community: Cafes, Coffee Shops, ... Other Hangouts at the Heart of a Community http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Great-Good-Place-
Bookstores/dp/1569246815
• SIOB. The Library of the future https://issuu.com/siob/docs/library_of_the_future_0705
• Ullman, T Kindle killed the library book January 2016 https://youtu.be/KUF-FlKWh4o
• Womens Hour, BBC Radio 4. 17th May 2016 with Jane Garvey and Kirsty Woodard.
Notes de l'éditeur
Background- me +why. Magic- wonder- discovery. Spielberg, Star Trek, and Sesame Street with its alphabetical song. logical to search for knowledge in books. Libraries offered this. Libraries were exciting.- Indiana Jones used the library, Never ending Story showed how –if you found the right book you could be whisked away- the world would be ruined without imagination. This imagery further reinforced the importance of stories, and quest for knowledge The library has been my silent life partner. Cradle to grave.
Knowledge and information= key to success or adventure, limited avenues open to discovery, school, FE and libraries- but now the playing field is levelling
. The internet has given the perception that all you need is at the end of your device. You no longer need to go to specific places to access knowledge, or engage in reading for pleasure. The world has become media rich- expectations are higher The internet can be all encompassing, exciting and rich in ideas. Fine- if you have the skills to navigate it, and are able to pay for access…
Users will have their own information fields (contexts) and although many users are after advice and help, serendipitous browsing and libraries as a third space are equally as important for health and wellbeing. Recent article about quiet times in supermarkets.
One to one help- the third space- Ray Oldenburg, human contact. 3rd space. Reading the newspapers, getting out the house. Health and Wellbeing. Future generations act- mental health loneliness. Being around people without having to participate. So many elderly people have commented that they come to the library when Rhyme time is on- just to hear the parents and toddlers singing.
Whilst information is becoming predominantly digital there’s still a need for advice, and digital support. Library staff are being turned to for help when the public can’t navigate the web independently. Health and Wellbeing, socially excluded. Talk the lady who’d bought her holiday- no family- boarding passes- online. Trusted sources of support. 20% elderly have no family support. (Womens Hour 17/5/16)
There are many sections to consider when thinking about the community of Denbighshire. Users- non users, public sectors, health organisations. Libraries are an obvious place to host outreach services, whilst maintaining the core element of paid staff. Offering continuity to the public and signposting to appropriate services, whilst encouraging a can do attitude. Paid staff know their users, understand individual contexts and tailor their support in exactly the right way.
Welsh Public Library Standards, 1964 Library Act. Needs updating? These objectives and outcomes can be applied to libraries… We contribute- think of Liz saying community resilience and comparing librarians to community development officers. We need to be in more decision making meetings Local Service Boards, Wellbeing plans, future generation, town planning etc.
Although the building is important. The people within create the environment. The paid staff, and building partnerships with other services. Building a space where questions can be asked and answered, people can be directed, or feel welcome enough to use our space at their leisure. Mention new development with Healthy Prestatyn, Ispy- anti-bullying point in PR
Engaging youngsters to develop a love of discovery
What's on the horizon? Systems, understanding of how these can be used to gain a better awareness of what users/residents need. Lots to take on board and steering the service through this next stage in the journey
What skills will a Public librarian need?
And finally…. I have a strong belief in libraries and how they contribute to the well being of a community. I don’t want to be part of a society where those who have can and those who can’t are ostracised. I keep thinking of the Hunger Games and Panem- The capital. Obviously read too much fiction!
