Envisioning the library of the future
Envisioning the library of the future
Background
‘Envisioning the library of the future’ was a major research project undertaken by the Arts Council in 2012-13 that helped us to understand the future for libraries, and how we can enable them to develop.
This work helped us and our partners in the library sector set out the value, role, and purpose of public libraries with more clarity, including pointing out ways they can respond to change in order to remain at the heart of their communities.
This information provided the focus of our subsequent work.
The research began in January 2012, and comprised of three phases. During that time, researchers spoke with more than 800 people. The research also included an online survey (which had over 1,400 responses), and 10,000 people viewed the online conversation.
What the research told us
The research found that public libraries are trusted spaces, open to all, where people continue to explore and share the joys of reading, information, knowledge, and culture.
It was evident that people value the services that libraries provide and will continue to do so. It is a clear message that there is a compelling and continuing need for a publicly-funded library service.
The research also reminded us that public libraries face many challenges, including advances in technology (which affect the ways people want to connect to information and culture), reduced public expenditure, the increasing involvement of citizens in the design and delivery of public services, and the needs of an ageing population.
Four priorities
In order to foster a successful, sustainable library service in light of these challenges, we set out four priority areas for development which have been tested and corroborated by stakeholders:
- Place the library as the hub of the community
- Make the most of digital technology and creative media
- Ensure that libraries are resilient and sustainable
- Deliver the right skills for those who work in libraries
Working with partners
We were already working with key partners in the sector including:
- Department for Culture, Media and Sport
- Local Government Association
- Libraries Connected
- Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals
- The British Library
Following this research, we committed to focusing our energy on these priorities in our work with these partners and others in the future.
Our work to date
We’ve already undertaken a lot of work to help libraries develop in these four priority areas. This includes:
- our community libraries research, which sets out guiding principles that ensure that local authorities thinking about involving their communities in the delivery of library services make sure the decision is shaped by the needs of their constituency
- the £6 million Grants for the Arts Libraries fund (now National Lottery Project Grants)
- sharing good examples from some of the Libraries development initiative projects, which were completed in March 2013
- the Enterprising Libraries projects, in partnership with the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and the British Library, which was launched in July 2013
More information on the Arts Council’s work in developing public libraries will be announced on our Supporting libraries page.