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Minutes of Downend & Staple Hill Local Library Committee Meeting
Wednesday 30 April 2008, at Downend Library
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Present: Joyce Watt, Tina Hanks, Margaret Uppington, Rita Stanleigh
(chairing meeting in Graeme’s absence) Graeme Riley (for part of meeting) Audrey Lees, Tina Hanks, Phillip Swann, Jim Grant, Wendy Nicholls (for part of meeting) Michael Duffy, Helen Egarr
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Apologies: Councillors Barbara and Jim Cullimore, Jeff Brackstone, Renuka Suriyarrachichi, Michael Bell, Sally Lockwood, Shirley Potts,
Vera Wells, Beryl Bellamy
Welcome: Tina Hanks, Learning & Resource Manager, Downend School |
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Minutes of 28 January 2008
Agreed as a correct record |
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Services to children – Wendy Nicholls
Wendy updated the meeting about the various initiatives which are now being delivered as part of the Government’s drive to raise literacy standards. Amongst these are:
Bookstart - a nationwide scheme which provides every child aged 5 and under with free book packs. The initial Bookstart pack is given out at 6 - 9 months via a Health Visitor. Bookstart + plus is given out at 18 - 24 months either through a health visitor or by the library. Treasure boxes are distributed by local library staff to all 3 year old children at their nursery setting. A recent extension to the scheme is BookTime by which a book is given to all 5 year old children in their school setting.
Book Ahead – a scheme whereby a pack of 20 books will be long-loaned from the libraries to all the early years settings.
Boys into books – supporting the reading needs of boys from ages 5- 14.
Local initiatives include:
Great Reading Adventure 2008/Book to Share – Wind in the Willows. Various activities to promote the reading of this classic include a Family Quiz and multiple copies of the book.
Summer Reading Challenge – This year the theme is Team Read to tie in with the Olympic theme Chatterbooks - Reading Groups for children held at several South Gloucestershire Libraries, including Staple Hill and Downend. Sponsored by Orange the groups provide an opportunity to share books and develop reading skills.
Just Do It - For the 4th year in succession 4 libraries (including Downend) will host events for young teens with activities to appeal to both boys and girls such as cartooning, street dance, jewellery making.
Teen groups - Held at several libraries, the groups provide opportunities to try different activities as well as promoting use of the library. In addition several have been successful in securing funding to improve Young Adult areas, including choosing new stock.
Members were delighted to learn ands see examples of these initiatives and thanked Wendy for her presentation.
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Children’s PLUS
Michael thanked members for their help with the Children’s Public Library User Survey carried out in October. The results in respect of both libraries were generally very positive. For Staple Hill respondents indicated a high satisfaction rate with staff, but predictably the building did not meet expectations. All libraries were considered as safe, despite occasional occurrence of anti-social behaviour in some sites. In response to Mr Swann, Michael confirmed that the Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) had proved very effective in dealing with incidents. The South Gloucestershire Safer and Stronger Team had also played a key role in bringing together different groups in Cadbury Heath to tackle serious incidents of anti–social behaviour
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Matters Arising:
Staple Hill New Library – Art work: From the Downend Local History Society’s collection of 2,000 photographs, Margaret had located one of the Fire Station in 1895 which would be useful in designing internal art work
Downend Local History Pack - Downend Local History Society, (DLHS) will be holding a special meeting in order to look in more detail at the pack and recommend amendments. |
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Librarian’s Report
From the circulated report Helen spoke in more detail on some of the key events and activities. “Impact” the history and legacy of slavery in South Gloucestershire – Agreed that this was a very effective display, highlighting much previously undocumented material, which Heritage officers hope to produce in book format. The display will tour all South Gloucestershire libraries in due course.
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Performance News
Members were concerned to note the general downward trend in issues, especially that of both adult and children’s spoken word. Some customers may of course subscribe to the RNIB talking book service, for which libraries act as referral points. Members wondered how well the service was publicised and whether there was scope for bringing to a wider audience. Mrs Lees suggested that an article be submitted to the Senior Citizen’s Forum newsletter. The discussion then moved on to the needs of the Home Library service users. Mr Swann has found it helpful to bring one of his clients to the library, to give her a wider selection of books. Margaret and Audrey wondered whether Kingswood Community Transport could bring to the library residents from sheltered accommodation. Agreed that Michael and Helen pursue this. Phillip Swann would also be interested in exploring ways of taking the service to residents of Tuckett House in Frenchay, which provides short term accommodation for homeless families.
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Library Action Plan
Michael outlined the process by which priorities are determined for the forthcoming year. Actions are broken down into different topics to tie in with the Council’s key objectives and each library in turn plans its work to complement the overall programme.
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Budget, Income and capital plans
The Council has now set its budget. Although there are no developments, neither are any cuts envisaged. The capital programme has been planned for the next four years rather than for one year as has traditionally been the case. This allows for renewal programmes for computer equipment for example, which after three years tends to need replacing. Downend will benefit from internal refurbishment, which will see the replacement of shelving, much of which has been in place since 1960 when the library opened. It will be carried out jointly with the fitting out of the new Staple Hill Library and will take place in mid September, hopefully offsetting any possible negative impact on Downend.
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Consultation with Friends of Libraries
Michael outlined the model for Friends Groups, which the service is hoping to adopt. The aim would be to create a wide circle of users who could be involved in different aspects of service development. A discussion then followed on the work of the various library committees and how consultation can be best achieved. The Downend and Staple Hill committee has been particularly successful in recruiting and retaining members. Emersons Green has not been quite so successful to date although its Friends group has helped with events such as Family History Sessions, which provides informal opportunities for consultation with specific groups. The Friends have also given the impetus to and contributed articles to the library’s newsletter. The Filton Group has also raised the question of how long members should remain on Committee. The constitution stipulates that it should not exceed 2 consecutive terms. It was agreed however that it is not always appropriate or necessary to enforce this. It was concluded that the best way forward would be for representatives from each committee to meet together to discuss the various models “Friends” groups might take and how the initiative could be developed, as well as exploring wider roles for library committees.
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AOB
• Local novelist Jeannie Johnson: Wednesday May 14th 7.00pm Staple Hill Library.
• Home Library Service – Mr Swann suggested that local groups such as Probus and Rotary Clubs be approached as a source of volunteers.
• Quiz Night – Agreed to hold in October at Downend and again in the New Year as part of Staple Hill’s Opening Programme
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Dates of next meetings
Wednesday 30 July, 7.00pm at Downend Library In light of the consultation session for all library committees, scheduled for Sat 28 June, members may feel that our meeting in July is now not necessary. Members’ views on this would be welcomed.
wednesday 22nd of October, 7.00pm, Downend Library |
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