In September 2010 the Society of Chief Librarians pledged to get
500,000 people online by the end of 2012 as part of the Government’s
RaceOnline 2012, led by UK Digital Champion Martha Lane Fox.

SCL President Nicky Parker said: “We have exceeded our target by five
times and it is still early in 2012. This is thanks to the thousands
of dedicated library staff and volunteers who are digital
champions and through whom this achievement has been possible.”

Nearly 30% of households in the UK do not have access to the internet
at home and for many people the local library is an essential link for
access to online resources. Access to the internet is provided free of
charge in more than 90% of libraries in the UK.

Martha Lane Fox, UK’s digital champion, said: “Libraries are crucial to
the success of Go ON UK’s objectives. The thousands of digital champions
in libraries and millions of new internet users are to be commended.”

In Walsall in the West Midlands Mrs. Brooks, who lives alone and far
from family, took part in a library course to help her confidently use
the internet.  After an eight-week course she could shop for food
online and order things she could not find locally. She now uses Skype
and email to keep in touch with her family, including her
granddaughter who is at university. Before help from the library, Mrs
Brooks only used her laptop, bought for her by friends, to play
solitaire. For the millions of people helped online at public libraries, these
new skills are changing their lives for the better.

Libraries will continue to reach out to people without access to computers at home
and will play a key role in ensuring that individuals and communities are 
poised to make the most of the Government’s super-fast broadband rollout 
across the UK, especially in isolated communities.

Public libraries work closely with DirectGov, NHS Choices and the
Adult Careers Service to ensure that citizens can confidently access
health, employment and benefits information they need as well as pay
for their driving license, passport or parking permit.

But the high point of the meeting for me was a report on the progress of the My Voice programme- My Voice is a Big Lottery funded youth –led programme, funded until March 2014 and it opens up creative reading and writing opportunities to disadvantaged young people aged 11-19.

What was incredibly clear was how timely this programme is- both in terms of the recent statistics relating to Youth unemployment and also the most recent ‘NEET ’stats (Not in Education, Employment or Training) and also in many Local Authorities programmes and activity for young people have been significantly reduced with many offering far less than ever before and where the My Voice programme is being delivered it is making a real difference to the young people who are participating.

The programme is being delivered by TRA in partnership with 18 Library Authorities in four regions (North West, North East, South East and London) and the actual statistics for the first year were incredibly impressive – if you are interested take a look at the Reading Agency website – but as part of the presentation Jessica a 15 year old who uses Pimlico Library came to talk to us about her experience of the programme and she was fantastic – she talked about how she had gained ‘loads of skills’. She can now ‘Write articles… do interviews’ but most importantly she felt she had ‘really enjoyed it’ and gained ‘confidence’ – which I think you would all agree that we all need.

It was such a good presentation and again showed the really positive contribution which libraries can make.
So for me a really good day – and one of those days when once again I learned about yet another programme which TRA / Libraries are delivering in partnership and which is really building our role- both within communities, with schools and also within the Local Authorities.

Today is a more mundane day- still feels like I am waiting for Spring in Staffordshire!! Although to be fair – despite a cloudy day, daffodils and blossom are making a very welcome appearance.

We have 9 key outcomes at a County level, and I am the County Lead for Outcome 7 – which is ‘Staffordshire’s communities can access, enjoy and benefit from a range of learning, recreational and cultural activities’

I am now on the 2nd draft and it was beginning to feel like quite a tortuous activity and I had begun to think about what is the actual outcome that we do want for our communities by providing this –and then a fantastic email popped into my inbox.

Like many Library Services we provide the space for, and in some instances host, Knit and Natter groups in many of our libraries. We are aware that for many people these are a hugely beneficial social network, but sometimes it can be very hard to quantify this. I am going to quote from a section of the email which I recieved as it really does make the outcome from this activity so apparent:

‘It was a big decision when I reached retirement age to step down from the profession I loved ….. The change was eased initially by continuing part time for two years in one of my many roles as an assistant Head teacher in a large comprehensive school…. Then came the gradual realisation that I really knew no-one locally except for an immediate neighbour… it was as if my husband and I were marooned on a desert island!
I began to experience the isolation of the older person who has no cause to frequent the school, the pub or the church.
Then one day… a total stranger suggested I come to the ‘knit and Natter’ group at Biddulph Library.
It seems an exaggerated claim, I know, but the ensuing visit to the library has made such a radical change to my life. As a result, not only do I have a group of friends who share a common interest, who can offer support, advice, humour … but also a function in the community.’

The email goes onto explain how they have become involved in the Town Council, the Community Association and has a voice in a myriad of local issues and developments.

The email is completed with the final statement:

‘I really want you to know how very much appreciated the library is. It is not only the place for physical resources…but it quietly , unassumingly provides the real social networking that permits individuals to grow within and as part of a community’

I am sure that you would all agree a fantastic outcome and something which we just do- and we need to get so much better in telling these stories- I am currently working out how I weave this into both the Outcome Plan, my next Scrutiny update and Member briefing. It really powerfully makes the case for Libraries within rural settings and also supports the really important work that we do in terms of individuals and Communities health and well being.
So I now feel much better about my morning….

Nicky Parker, SCL President, said: “Libraries are about inclusion and accessibility for everyone. Now customers and potential customers can quickly find their closest library and all the free resources it offers on their phone or computer.”

http://www.findalibrary.org.uk

SCL is not a campaigning group, but it is a peer support organisation. SCL supports chief librarians and the public library service by providing regional networks for heads of libraries to share best practices for the benefit of the public library service locally and nationally. SCL works to try and make sure that every community has a modern public library service that meets and exceeds customers’ needs.

SCL is a supporting partner of National Libraries Day and is actively involved in planning for events and celebrations. The Society of Chief Librarians welcomes the support from customers and the library community that has been galvanized for National Libraries Day. Celebrating what libraries do for their customers, and what customers do for one another in libraries is important because it reinforces the uniqueness and value of the public library service.

In thousands of public libraries across the UK, 4 February 2012 will be a special day. Someone will be helped to use the internet for the very first time. Others will get advice on opening a business, help with homework, or join a reading group. Authors will read from their latest works. Many libraries across the country will host coffee mornings and a chance for their communities to celebrate their libraries.

In Newcastle City Library, free events will include an author event and book signing of ‘The Radleys’ by Matt Haig, a NLD treasure hunt and an IT advice surgery to help customers learn to use the internet, email, Skype, online shopping and more.

A collaborative story writing week will encourage customers to create a brand new story in Gosforth Library.

Bath Central Library will put on a Click, Clack, Crocodile’s Back fun packed activity hour with local author Kathryn White.

Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson will be at Canning Town Library to celebrate the magic of libraries with customers, sing songs, and share stories.

South Petherton Library in Somerset will hold a book sale to benefit the library’s book fund.

Brighton and Hove Libraries will offer tours and a chance to chat with library staff.

Oxted Library in Surrey will hold a ‘Dragonese Party, a dragon and Viking fun day for children and adults.

Essex Libraries are counting down the 10 Good Reasons to join your library on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube for customers to share what they love about libraries.

Peterborough Libraries are hosting a Charles Dickens Re-enactment with local historian Richard Jones in full costume.

Salford Library is marking NLD and LGBT History Month with a free talk by Clare Debenham on Eleanor Rathbone (1872-1946), campaigner for women’s rights and pioneer of family allowances.

In Blackpool ManBooker Prize (2011) shortlisted author Carol Birch will appear at the newly refurbished Central Library to talk about her book, Jamrach’s Menagerie.

Many more events and celebrations can be found on the National Libraries Day website http://www.nationallibrariesday.org.uk/

Key promises made in the National Digital Promise include:
free access to the internet in every library (for a minimum period)
24/7 access to a virtual library online
library staff trained to help people to go online
the ability to join a library online, and much more.

Digital Promise 2012

For many people in the UK, the local public library is the only source of access to digital information. Many libraries offer free one-to-one online tuition for customers. Many libraries are linking local IT volunteers with customers who need help going online. This is not only helping people learn how to go online, but also helping them to make full use of the many local council services which are now online.

Nicky Parker, President of SCL, said: “With this Digital Promise we hope to expand and improve the standard of online resources in libraries both now and for the future.”

In the past year more than a million people have been helped to go online for the first time in their local library.

More information here:
Welsh Government Press Release on library figures

Library Wales

The BBC is highlighting inspiring stories from library customers and online mentors. Libraries are working hard to support Race Online 2012 and the GoON Give an Hour campaign. We all set our clocks back this weekend and there are many ways we’ll use the extra hour, but in libraries across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, many people are choosing to donate their time to help others go online.

Dave’s life in Tipton in the Black Country (Dudley, West Midlands) seemed to be at an all time low until a friend suggested he re-train at the local college by trying the Learn Direct Courses they offered. Not keen to “go back to the classroom” Dave found that he could do the same course at his local library.

“Computers Don’t Bite” turned out to be the first of many that Dave would study at his local library. His story didn’t end there. He is now working with a doctor at the local hospital, writing a book based on other people’s stories of recuperating from illness thanks to their animals. He has learnt to build a website to devote to his beloved owl and he last year attended several other branches of Dudley Libraries telling his story.

Dave is a real character, an inspiration to everyone on how your life can be turned around, and is really keen to tell others his story.