Press release from 14 May 2010
Hampshire County Council is re-shaping the way it runs its Library Service and the staffing resource so that it can continue to provide a modern, high quality service for less money, in the face of increasing financial pressures put upon it.
Over the last seven years there has been a massive investment in the Library Service, including the creation of two Discovery Centres, with one more on the way, two new libraries , the refurbishment of 28 libraries, the addition of public internet terminals across the Service to offer free access to all, increase in opening hours along with improved services for housebound residents. But the imperative to meet the needs of a wider range of people and delivering a modern Library Service which needs to be financially sustainable during a time of ever increasing budget pressures, has forced the council to restructure the Service.
The context in which libraries are operating is changing fast particularly how people choose to use their libraries. The County Council is seeking to address this through its ambitions in the Vision and Strategy for the Library Service which has at its heart the need to continue the transformation of recent years which has seen a huge increase of online use, a 50% increase in the use of the council’s two Discovery Centres, Sunday opening and co-location with other community services.
The Library Service currently has a £18 million budget, two thirds of which is spent on staffing costs. If the Library Service was to continue without any changes the predicted overspend will be £1.3 million in this financial year alone.
This is phase one of a three phase restructure project over one year. Phase one will reduce the number of Managers, simplify the hierarchy and reducing headquarters and support services by 25 per cent. The next two phases will be looking at the provision of the County’s mobile library service and head quarters functions to make sure they are both running efficiently, effectively and within budget.
Executive Member for Culture and Recreation, Councillor Margaret Snaith – Tempia, Said: “In the face of tightening public finances and tougher times ahead with an unprecedented level of savings to be found, the County Council is continually looking for ways it can provide more for less, to find better ways of working and give good value for money.
“Libraries are not immune from these financial pressures and while innovation and partnership working can help us reduce costs, these alone are not enough to offset the pressures. Also, in previous years, we have had to revert to using the book fund to cover gaps which is not acceptable nor sustainable. A lot of work has gone on to reduce costs as much as we can through vacancy management and not replacing colleagues who have left or retired. But it has become inevitable that we need to reduce staffing costs.
“The introduction of new technology and adapting the way in which staff work to maximise efficiency through flexible working will mean that there will be no library closures or a reduction in opening hours.
“Staff that are going to be affected have already been notified and have been informed of what their next steps are.
“The Library Service has played an essential role in helping the County Council to meet some of its key priorities around supporting older people, inclusion and helping people reach their potential. Our aim is to continue to build on the solid foundations of a modern, excellent Library Service to make it responsive and sustainable and broaden its role and relevance in delivering what local communities want.”
ENDS
www.hants.gov.uk/mediacentre
Issued by Julie Gosling
Media Communications Officer (Culture, Communities, Recreation & Rural Affairs)
Tel: 01962 846006
Email: julie.gosling@hants.gov.uk
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