Report of the Strategic Director (Neighbourhoods)

This report provides the Committee with an update on the library strategy and to present future plans.

The Committee considered a report of the Strategic Director (Neighbourhoods) which provided an update on the Library Strategy and presented future plans.

Key points and themes within the report included:

• Providing an introduction and background;
• How the Library Strategy was delivered in 2023 and how it would be delivered in future;
• How the library service contributed to the Council’s priorities;
• How the libraries performed in 2023;
• The range of services provided across the city;
• Engagement with children, young people and businesses;
• How libraries supported health and wellbeing; and
• A response to the Sanderson Review of Public Libraries.

Some of the key points and queries that arose from the committee’s discussion included:

• Recognising the important contributions of library volunteers;
• Requesting that the Avenue Library and Learning Centre in Blackley open for longer;
• Acknowledging that many libraries were fulfilling those functions of the state that the government had failed to do since 2010;
• What challenges could face the library sector if the Conservative Party won the next General Election;
• How the introduction of new Open Plus technology increased opening hours; and
• How cybersecurity was addressed, particularly given the breach at the British Library in 2023.

In introducing the item, the Executive Member for Skills, Employment and Leisure took the opportunity to thank the Council’s officers and partners for their work, particularly in the context of 14 years of government austerity, and he encouraged members and residents to recognise the Council’s achievements.

The Deputy Executive Member for Skills, Employment and Leisure also expressed thanks to library staff and stated that libraries were the heart of Manchester’s communities and helped to improve the lives of residents. She highlighted the different services which Manchester’s libraries offered, such as addressing period poverty through the Package for Val scheme, which she stated demonstrated how libraries positively impacted the lives of residents. She also highlighted the Council’s continued investment, such as the opening of three new libraries in Gorton, Abraham Moss and Northenden.

The Head of Libraries, Galleries, Culture and Youth, Play and Participation Services explained that 2024 was a special year for Manchester’s libraries as it marked the 90-year anniversary of Central Library’s original opening in 1934 and the 10-year anniversary of it reopening. 

Videos about Central Library and Newton Heath Library were also played to the committee.

In response to a query regarding the potential challenges facing the library sector in the future, the Executive Member for Skills, Employment and Leisure stated that there would be a significant funding challenge across local government which libraries would not be immune to. He stated that there was a possibility in changes in technology and library usage but explained that the Libraries Strategy addressed these issues. The Head of Libraries, Galleries, Culture and Youth, Play and Participation Services stated that usage of libraries was close to pre-pandemic levels and that officers continued to make libraries welcoming and accessible through extended opening hours and the use of Open Plus technology.

The committee was informed that many libraries had certain days where they did not open due to funding constraints and Open Plus technology allowed for people over the age of 16 to use facilities when a member of staff was not present. It was explained that this technology was currently in place in 5 libraries, including the Avenue Library and Learning Centre in Blackley.

The Libraries and Archives Lead advised the committee that some figures relating to internet usage in appendix 1 were incorrect. He clarified that this should read 301,000 hours of free internet used in libraries and 970,000 Wi-Fi sessions.

In response to a query regarding cybersecurity, the Libraries and Archives Lead acknowledged the importance of this and stated that the Council’s ICT service provided a great support to libraries. The Head of Libraries, Galleries, Culture and Youth, Play and Participation Services commented that a ‘lessons learned’ exercise was being undertaken by the libraries sector as a whole following the incident at the British Library.

The Head of Libraries, Galleries, Culture and Youth, Play and Participation Services also informed the committee that a survey was undertaken every 3 years with library users. He explained that the results on satisfaction in the last survey were the highest ever received and there was a clear indication of how libraries positively contributed to residents’ health and wellbeing, which he welcomed.

In summarising, the Chair welcomed the 10-year anniversary of the reopening of Central Library and reiterated that it was the most visited library in the country, which she stated Manchester should be proud of. She commented that the service provided by libraries was remarkable under the challenging financial circumstances of 14 years of austerity and she welcomed the case studies included in the videos and that usage was returning to pre-pandemic levels.

Decision:

That the report be noted.