Stakeholder feedback

Stakeholder feedback demonstrates areas of strength and also opportunities for development.

Council stakeholder analysis

Feedback from Councillors and key internal Officers emphasised the vital role libraries play in supporting council priorities through their accessibility and strong community connections.

The council’s vision focuses on improving health and wellbeing, tackling inequalities, fostering local economies, enhancing environmental resilience, and delivering excellent public services.

There was strong interest in expanding library services to align with the council’s Prevention Approach and integrating them into the Community Hub model. Libraries were seen as key spaces for providing information, advice, and guidance, and for hosting additional council services to help residents live healthier and more sustainable lives.

Councillors and officers highlighted opportunities for libraries to support tailored, collaborative services linked to local priorities, improve access for vulnerable and rural residents, and strengthen engagement. Specific ideas included using libraries for public consultations, promoting health initiatives, supporting family hubs, and increasing visibility of adult social care. Overall, libraries were recognized as strategic assets for community engagement and service delivery.

Suggested drivers included building an increased information and advice offer, in support of the Council’s Prevention Service, and strengthening links with Council services supporting Children and Young People.

They see a clear link between these Council aspirations and those espoused by the Libraries Universal Offers:

Reading - building a literate and confident society by developing, delivering and promoting creative reading activities in libraries.

Health and Wellbeing - supporting the health and wellbeing of communities through services that inform, engage and connect.

Information and Digital - ensuring communities can access quality information and digital services, learn new digital skills and feel safe online.

Culture and Creativity - enabling local communities to enjoy high-quality arts and cultural experiences through libraries.

In particular, reading and literacy are proven to make a positive contribution to life outcomes. Poor literacy is often linked with higher unemployment and low skilled, poorly paid jobs and can also impact on confidence and the ability to support children with school work. Access to library services and the resources they provide is a tool which can be used to address part of this need. Reading for pleasure, the development of reading habits and support from parents and carers have been shown to be key in the development of children’s literacy. The Library Service has an important role in this sort of activity.

Digital and information access, available in every staffed library, can play a role in closing the digital divide. Not having access to or being able to navigate online can negatively affect education, employment prospects, social connections, finances, and health and wellbeing.