Cumberland Council library services

316 SLAs (267 primary school “entitlements” plus 49 agreements with academies/ independent schools) across Cumbria.

Hosting a shared stock services, logistics, digital offer and performance management with Westmorland & Furness.

3 delivery vans and 3 school buses.

125 full and part time posts plus 7 in ‘back office’ hosted service.

65,000 active library members (full), 3,000 library members (digital only), 900,000 visits per year and rising.

3 main libraries, 13 branches, 7 library links, 1 prison library and 1 schools library service building.

c.£2.5m net revenue budget.

Existing physical stock - 1.2m items in circulation. c.670k investment in physical and digital stock across Cumbria managed through a Stock Share Agreement.

As a statutory service, we are required ‘to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service for all persons who live, work or study in the area.’

There is no prescribed service standard but the Government’s view is that a ‘comprehensive and efficient’ library service is one that best meets local need in the context of available resources.

The government have previously provided suggested outcomes for library services which we use to inform the services we provide.

Libraries Taskforce Outcomes

1. Cultural and creative enrichment
2. Increased reading and literacy
3. Improved digital access and literacy
4. Helping everyone achieve their full potential
5. Healthier and happier lives
6. Greater prosperity
7. Stronger, more resilient communities

Main Libraries

This is what we do now - we’re proud of what we offer already:

• extensive collection of books for all ages and interests, with item request service from other libraries
• family focused story sacks as well as memory and sensory bags for multi-age use in the home
• regular programme of library activities for both children and adults as well as special events
• varied spaces for customers: casual seating, study areas, children’s zones, and event spaces
• free access to PCs and Wi-Fi
• printing and copying
• staff assistance with bus pass applications and hearing aid batteries
• access to Adult Learning, and Health and Wellbeing Coaches (HAWCs)
• signposting to other services

Branch Libraries

Located in smaller towns, branch libraries offer scaled services based on premises size:

• smaller supply of books and materials for all ages, with access to request items from other libraries
• signposting to services and facilities, including hearing aid battery supply by library staff
• a limited range of events and occasional activities, often in partnership with third sector organisations
• compact seating areas and dedicated spaces for children
• free access to PCs and Wi-Fi
• printing and copying

BorrowBox Online Digital Services (Audio and E-books)

Our online digital services provides:

• free access to e-books, audio books, comics, magazines and daily UK newspapers with library membership
• a Library app or online account available to manage library account and self-manage renewals, requests, and browse the catalogue
• wide range of subscription site memberships available for use on all library PCs. For example Ancestry, Find My Past, Which, Driving Theory Pro (licensed to library PCs only)
• self-service machines in every Main, Branch and Library Link

Library Links

Our Library Links provides an unstaffed offer:

• run in conjunction with community partners, these offer a smaller book stock to branches and in some cases limited PC offer
• hosted in a partner’s building, service operates with very limited or no library staff presence
• customers can request items from other libraries for collection at Links
• located in large villages or outer Carlisle
• compact seating areas and dedicated spaces for children. Partner may offer its own activities on site
• Wi-Fi; in Carlisle area free PCs

Where our libraries are now

Our Find a library near you directory lists all of our libraries.

Our aims are to evaluate our current library services and identify ways we can:

• continue to deliver good library services that are welcoming and accessible to all
• offer our residents convenient, local access to library and council services that empower them to achieve positive health and wellbeing and economic outcomes
• deliver services in an effective and efficient way that guarantees its long-term financial sustainability

Council budgets are unlikely to increase in the coming years. Libraries are a key priority for us, so we want to ensure they:

• are efficient
• are well-located
• meet the needs of both our residents and the council

Approach and timescales

In 2025, we will start our data and design phase for 12 months. This will include:

• data gathering - engagement with internal and external stakeholders
• reviewing outputs - collate, analyse and summarise feedback, research and data
• drafting the Library Service Strategy and identifying potential options
• consultation and decisions on proposals

In 2025 to 2026 we will start our communication phase.

We aim deliver in 2026.

What we are trying to find out

How effective are our current library services delivering against nationally set outcomes?

How cost effective are library services in Cumberland compared to other regions with similar demographics?

What will the future population of the region look like and what are the primary needs of that demography likely to need from libraries?

What do the Public want from public library services and library buildings? (Users and non-users)

What does the Council want from public library services and library buildings?

What is the Public view on different models of providing library services? (For example buildings/ digital/ remote)

What is the Council view on different models of providing library services? (For example buildings/ digital/ remote)

What is the condition of library building stock?

Ideas on how library services could be run better?

What are the council’s prevention priorities for the region?

Who we are engaging with

We are engaging with library stakeholders including:

• Cumberland Council internal stakeholders
• Community Panels and networks
• Politicians
• National professional organisations
• the public - library users and non-users
• Cumberland Council library stakeholders

We will be briefing professional stakeholders along the way, such as the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

What we want to know from this engagement work

The engagement phase will aim to answer the following questions.

If you use our Library Service

• what do you know about it?
• how do you use it?
• what do you think of it?

If you don’t use our Library Service

• why not?
• what can we do to enable you to use it?

Accessing Library buildings

• what do you think of our library buildings?

Library books - physical and digital

• do these meet your needs?
• what would you like to see more of/ less of?

Library services, information, advice and activities

• do you know about everything we offer?
• what do you think about the services we offer?
• what do you think about making changes to the services we offer?

What we’ll do with the data and feedback

We will produce and share the following information.

Engagement outputs: summary of feedback from stakeholder engagement surveys.

Library strategy: libraries approach going forward, service offer capturing what we will offer and how.

Strategic needs assessment: qualitative and quantitative data assessment of what need there is for library services across the region.

Improvement proposals: recommendations for any changes to services for further consultation.