LAI / CILIP Joint Conference

WorkshopA Public Libraries Strategy for Ireland

John Dolan & Annette Kelly

11 April 2013

Background and Context

• Who is involved– Department of Environment Community and Local Government– Libraries Development, Local Government Management Agency– Steering Group– Library partners – CCLs, LAI

• Background to the strategy– Previous strategies– New strategy 2013-2017

• Political rationale• National strategy + local delivery

SWOT on Libraries

Strengths• Popular. Nostalgia.

Community value. Children. Literacy. Recent investment paid off.

Weaknesses• Inconsistent. Low

awareness. Research/ Evidence. Dated (image). Slow to modernise

Opportunities• Partnership. Community

engagement. Digital. Staff skills relevant. Sustainable libraries – Engaged, Relevant, Innovative

Threats• Competition. Lack of

support. Stagnate. Investment not productive. Failure to meet needs of people and communities

National needs and expectations

National developments

Delivered locally

Community needs and expectations

National Service - Delivered Locally

National Policy Leadership Direction Support

Consultation Citizen engagement

National Strategy Leadership

Collaboration Economies

Local Delivery Monitoring Evaluation

Accountability

Leadership

Participation

Strategy

The Strategy: Key strategic purpose

• Social /community– Community. Identity – Cohesion– Place to go, to be– Cultural

• Economic– Jobs– Entrepreneurs, SMEs, Start-ups– Creative industries– Digital economy– Tourism economy

Five strategic strands• Human

– Employability. Skills. SMEs. Entrepreneurial potential – Children, Young People and Families– Citizenship. Health. Community. Wellbeing

• Digital– Single national LMS– Web content. E-publications. Local e-publishing– Social Media– 24/7

• Physical– Right libraries in the right place

• Workforce– Leadership and Impact– Customer and Community – Learning and Development

• Research– Monitoring. Review, Evaluation. Innovation. Futures