New libraries, new users?

摘要

The three communities are all relatively deprived neighbourhoods, compared to some other areas of the city, and face broadly similar challenges in terms of engaging local people. However, understanding and responding to the specific needs of each community has been key to the success of the new libraries. The Library Managers have played a key role in the success of their libraries. Each brings to their role experience from other sectors, including retail and Social Services, and this experience is important in interacting with library users and marketing the library. Each of the Library Managers is based permanently at their library, which is important in getting to know the local community and their needs. However, they have regular contact with other Library Managers, which is seen as very helpful for the exchange of ideas and experience. Although the Library Managers have not received any formal training on community engagement, their role in this regard was discussed fully with the Community Projects Manager. They also received 'hands on' training by shadowing other library managers, which they all found very useful. The Community Projects Manager has been instrumental in developing the new libraries - interacting with the public, initiating the Library Panels, and providing an important source of expertise and guidance for library staff - 'someone to go to', as one Library Manager said. Having the Community Projects Manager in post for the duration of the project has been important in the exchange of experience between the libraries, and meant that lessons learnt could be applied as the project progressed.