SCL Seminar 2011
The title and theme for the 2011 seminar was “We Can Work It Out--There’s nothing you can do that can’t be done” - leading libraries through change!"
During the seminar you could follow us on twitter @ukscl
Public services are facing great change, the challenge is to deliver more but cost less. Public libraries are not immune from this. During the current challenging financial situation library services must provide services that people want, use every means possible to ensure their services are delivered in the most efficient, cost effective-manner and consider radically different approaches to service delivery.
The three principal speakers at the 2011 seminar were Lyn Brown, MP for West Ham and Jim Graham, Chief Executive, Warwickshire County Council and Marie Ostergard, Project Manager for Aarhus Public Libraries, Denmark.
Thursday 19th May
Lyn offered her views as a member of parliament who has always had a keen interest in libraries. She has always been a supporter of library services whilst not being afraid to challenge those who deliver them.
As a long standing Chief Executive Jim outlined the changes that will affect local government in the coming months and years. He set library services in the context of these changes and discussed how libraries can help to deliver regeneration and e-government – elements that are at the heart of local government.
Marie has been part of Aarhus Public Libraries’ development of the physical library of the future. New technologies have transformed the way libraries work and operate. It is vital to continue along this path as users are demanding more services delivered in more convenient and different ways. Focusing on interactions, user-involvement and network-development in the physical library space, Aarhus is developing new technologies to ensure that their new library will be a social hub, not just a place to house books.
World Book Night
Julia Kingsford, Chief Executive of World Book Night, attended the seminar to brief delegates about the plans for 2012
World Book Night Presentation
WBN_SCL_presentation
After Dinner Speaker
Simon Brett, the author responsible for the Charles Paris, Mrs Pargeter and Fethering series of crime novels, was the after-dinner speaker on Thursday evening. A noted and entertaining speaker, Simon is also a library and literature enthusiast.
Friday 20 May
Future Libraries Programme
Hearing about and learning from good practice is essential. The Future Libraries Programme (FLP), formed by a partnership between national and local government and driven by councils themselves, aims to help the library service during the current challenging financial situation. Delivering high quality and effective libraries in the next few years will be challenging. Marginal improvement and efficiency alone are insufficient to maintain and modernise the public’s library services. To avoid ad hoc closures and service reductions, a strategic approach is required and radically different solutions must be considered. Representatives from the ten FLP programmes and the West Midlands will outline how their projects have developed and discuss what they have learnt and achieved.
Future Libraries Programme Workshop Sessions
Beyond Boundaries FLP Workshop Led by Christine May
SCL_Presentation_-_Beyond_Boundaries_1<
David Ruse
Greater Manchester Libraries 2020 Vision
The Media
Library services must tell their stories and ensure that their successes receive positive media coverage. Roz Morris, Managing Director of TV News London explained how to handle media interviews and presentations in person and online.