Libraries NI

Irene Knox

Chief Executive

Delivering Tomorrow’s Libraries

• Lifelong learning, formal and informal

• Access to digital skills and services

• Addressing social exclusion and inequality

• Building communities, fostering good relations

• Promoting creativity

Review of Public Administration (RPA)

• Responsive, effective, efficient public services

• Co-ordination, collaboration, accessibility

• Focus on outcomes

Context

The Northern Ireland Library Authority

• Established 1 April 2009

• Libraries Act (Northern Ireland) 2008

• Non-Departmental Public Body

• Funded by Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure

• Chairperson and 18 Board Members - appointed by the Minister - 11 Councillors - 8 lay members

• 4 year term

• Branded as “Libraries NI”

Vision

A flexible and responsive library service which provides a dynamic focal point in the community and assists people to fulfil their potential

Mission

To enrich and enhance the lives of individuals and communities by providing and promoting access to learning, knowledge, creative works and cultural experiences

Key Facts (2009/10)

• Population 1.7 million

• 1000 + staff

• 109 static service points

• 29 mobile libraries

• 1,156 public access computer terminals

• 7 million visits to libraries

• 4.6 million items borrowed

• 1.1 million computer sessions

• £31m revenue budget

• £4m capital budget

Themes

Impact on organisational design

Senior Management Team

Chief Executive

Director of Planning &

Performance

Director of Service Delivery

Director of Business Support

• Northern region• Corporate Planning• Organisational

development• Quality Assurance• Support for learning• Cultural development

• Southern region• Resources• Marketing &

Communications• Research• Access to Information• Heritage & digitisation

• Financial Services• Payroll• Human Resource

Services• Assets Management• ICT• Administration

• Board Secretariat• Internal Audit

Senior Leadership Group

• Senior Management Team

• Business Managers

• Finance Manager

• Human Resources Manager

• Assets Manager

• ICT Manager

• Head of Marketing

• Organisational Development Manager

Key Challenges

• Vision, purpose and sense of identity

• Local accountability

• New organisational structure - matrix - themes - management development

• Cultural change

• Harmonisation of policies and procedures

• Realise efficiencies

• Sustainability

Benefits

• Regional planning

• Equity of provision

• Sharing best practice

• Strategic partnerships

• Economic and efficient

• Local delivery

• Targeted interventions

• Innovation

• Community engagement

• Continuous improvement