L&LSE&E_FinalReport#AW:Layout 1 06/08/2012 08:51 Page 1
Writers’ Centre Norwich & New Writing South Literature and Libraries in the South East and East Final Report June 2012
L&LSE&E_FinalReport#AW:Layout 1 06/08/2012 08:51 Page 2
I Introduction and Purpose This report accompanies the toolkit prepared for use by libraries and literature organisations in the East and South East area of England. While the toolkit is intended as a manual of ideas and information to be used to strengthen and deepen partnerships across these sectors, this report is principally for Writers’ Centre Norwich (WCN) and New Writing South (NWS) as the two commissioning bodies as well as for Arts Council England as a contribution to the current debate on the future of libraries. It contains findings from the research and interviews that have a significant import on this debate and that are relevant to current and future joint working. BOP Consulting would like to thank all those involved including the Steering Group members – a full list of interviewees is attached as an appendix.
Literature and Libraries in the South East and East www.bop.co.uk
2
L&LSE&E_FinalReport#AW:Layout 1 06/08/2012 08:51 Page 3
1.1 Note from the commissioning partners In libraries and library services New Writing South (NWS) and Writers’ Centre Norwich (WCN) recognise organisations and individuals who share our passion for reading and writing and the great things that reading and writing can do for us all. We have worked productively with libraries over a number of years and are part of a national network of literature agencies that promotes all writing and reading activity. We care passionately about our audiences and believe that all the Arts Council’s funded literature organisations have a commonality with the Library service in that we all work with writers, publishers, readers and audiences. We all work to ensure young people are given every opportunity to develop a love of books and reading through our programmes schemes and we all embrace all the full spectrum of the communities in which we live and work.
experiencing degrees of change unprecedented in scope and speed. Despite the challenges and tough decisions that are coming, we still share a commitment to the power of reading and writing to achieve positive social change. This report and toolkit have been assembled as part of a piece of research commissioned by Arts Council South East from WCN and NWS. Our primary aim was to learn as much as we could about how libraries currently work with literary organisations of all kinds. In order that this research was not simply an audit of activity, we have also tried to explore some of the ways in which we might be able to build new bridges between literature organisations and libraries so that we might work even more closely in the future. Our funders and stakeholders are increasingly asking us to work more collaboratively and coherently. If we are to lead the discussion about how this is to happen, we must know how to work with each other in the most strategically useful, practically successful and creatively satisfying ways. We hope that this report, toolkit and the research behind it can form a part of this discussion.
Both the arts sector and libraries are Literature and Libraries in the South East and East www.bop.co.uk
3
L&LSE&E_FinalReport#AW:Layout 1 06/08/2012 08:51 Page 4
2 Findings 2.1 Libraries The current ‘perfect storm’ facing libraries – significant reductions in local authority support, including new models of delivery and concern about their role and function – cannot be underestimated. Therefore, the major issue for this initiative is one of timing, and the current uncertainty has both good and bad aspects in terms of taking forward new approaches. Library services differ widely in terms of size, capacity and instinct in response to political and geographical factors, so partnership building needs to operate at a local level. While this research is specifically about partnerships between libraries and literature organisations, any assumptions that (as both have to do with ‘books and words’) there is a natural ‘fit’ is simplistic. Libraries have a range of social purposes, which are potentially in conflict with ‘great art for everyone’ and there is a marked sensitivity, certainly at senior levels, about any such expectations now libraries are part of the Arts Council England. As one of our interviewees said, “libraries value literature ‘a bit’ but it’s just a small part of Literature and Libraries in the South East and East www.bop.co.uk
the bigger spectrum”. Another remarked that the “differences need to be acknowledged and respected and then they can work together”. So when libraries support Reading Groups, it is not only about literature but also about additional benefits largely around social outcomes e.g. for hard to reach groups or for people with literacy challenges or those experiencing social isolation etc. All our interviewees agreed that libraries need to be ‘more hard-nosed’ now about how they approach partnerships and to ensure there is benefit for libraries (including income) where before the approach was more altruistic. One of our interviewees pointed out that the “driving argument for elected members is what can you achieve, how it will make a difference within the community and the importance of demonstrating value down the line”. Related to this, the only top-level indicator / impact measurement / KPI for libraries now is the measurement by numbers of ‘participations’, though at a local level it is important to demonstrate their contribution to other council priorities.
4
L&LSE&E_FinalReport#AW:Layout 1 06/08/2012 08:51 Page 5
Our research shows that libraries frequently work with many kinds of cultural organisations in the voluntary sector as well as with Arts Councilsubsidised organisations. Indeed, many involve other art forms rather than those dedicated only to literature. These bodies are part of the cultural infrastructure that connects at local level; individual libraries work with cultural bodies or individuals that share their interest in and commitment to ‘place’ – the town, the community – and these partnerships are often established through personal rather than strategic relationships. Many of these relationships are longestablished and are often loose connections around the use of libraries as trusted spaces with broadly shared values. Activities in this category include reading and writing groups, which sometimes involve wider public events such as readings by established writers. But activity extends to a variety of other arts and culture related activites – some examples from the survey as follows:
• Play and sensory sessions with adults and children and using garden space at one of our libraries • Museum – combined author and history events (e.g. Dickens with readings alongside a talk about his life and links to local history) • Arts and author events e.g. Olympic Arts project – children work with artists to decorate sculptures for the Olympic torch route; libraries are doing storymaking in schools to engage the children’s imagination for their sculptures and provide a literacy element • A shared website with the local arts forum and working together to deliver events at local festivals. However, libraries are under increasing pressure to earn income, resulting in charges for venue space and there is some evidence that this is weakening the connection with literature, and other artists and arts, groups.
• Arts and Craft projects for adults and children, around shared themes and different approaches to delivery, e.g. Romans,Victorians
Literature and Libraries in the South East and East www.bop.co.uk
5
L&LSE&E_FinalReport#AW:Layout 1 06/08/2012 08:51 Page 6
2.2 Risks It is crucial that literature and arts organisations understand the difficulties libraries are facing and how this presents barriers to arranging or developing joint projects. While it is not possible to foresee the results of restructuring, the volatile, uncertain environment means that there are: • Some risks for literature organisations engaging with libraries, such as building relationships with staff that are then undermined by new working conditions including staff changes. • Dangers where only short-term planning is possible as a sustained commitment by libraries to activities and programmes is difficult at the present time.
The understanding and support of elected members for Library Services is critical. This varies significantly from service to service and often depends on the Head of Service. Because of restructuring, some heads are relatively new and often with no direct knowledge of Library Services. Closures are now regarded as inevitable with the smaller and more isolated areas likely to be the first to suffer. Indeed, some of our interviewees argued that the national infrastructure of libraries is being stripped away but were hopeful that it might be rebuilt in future, though in a radically different form. At the same time there are positive regional examples of refurbishments, relocations and new libraries opening, such as in 2012 the Kent History and Library Centre in Maidstone and the new Dorking library in Surrey.
• Significant signs of fragmentation within local authorities more generally and not only in Library Services: larger departmental units have resulted in a bigger gap between those working at a delivery level and those at a higher strategic level e.g. within a service department, resulting in a weaker voice for libraries and what they can offer.
One of the core objectives for literature organisations is the quality of writing and reading the view was expressed that “libraries don’t care about that”. This concern that libraries have no relationship to the art form is balanced by the values and objectives that the two sectors share – a desire to increase
Literature and Libraries in the South East and East www.bop.co.uk
6
L&LSE&E_FinalReport#AW:Layout 1 06/08/2012 08:51 Page 7
reader engagement and exploration. But it is important that “libraries need to understand that literature organisations do literature!”
2.3 The National Perspective It is of course not only libraries that are going through a period of restructuring, but many other organisations at all levels. Publishers have had good links with libraries particularly in touring authors. However, it is reported that many are adopting a stricter cost / benefit analysis, which means there is less willingness to support costs in smaller libraries that can only attract a limited audience. The BBC is restructuring, too, and is no longer undertaking large-scale year-long projects. The approach now is more closely tied to TV / radio programming and led by BBC centrally – dominant themes are reported to be history and nature.
to contact libraries with a set event and ask for venue space to run an activity. The BBC reported that this different approach means that smaller libraries in less populous areas are at a disadvantage. However, productive and mutually supportive partnerships are emerging, for example, Brighton Library was cited as a good example with its flexible, modern space. The BBC, who are strongly cited as key partners in our questionnaire, are finding the landscape changing significantly, particularly around levels of staffing and awareness of their activities. This means some services are better placed than others (Cambridgeshire and Norfolk were mentioned as examples) which is resulting in a much less even offer. This is compounded by staff changes and reductions in the BBC as well as in library services with the disappearance of old contacts and the need to establish new ones. A number of respondents mentioned that many library computer systems often cannot run BBC online content, which further weakens the partnership.
Formerly, the BBC would ask libraries to suggest ideas but now it is more likely
There are some positive signs too; restructuring within BBC means that it is no longer only BBC Learning that is interested – many more departments
Literature and Libraries in the South East and East www.bop.co.uk
7
L&LSE&E_FinalReport#AW:Layout 1 06/08/2012 08:51 Page 8
see the opportunity for developing activities with libraries. The BBC is ‘hopeful that in future we will still work with libraries’ and is keen to widen the network through, for example, working with other organisations. Bookstart, The Reading Agency and the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) were jointly involved in a new BBC drama series on adult literacy called Secrets and Words, which followed an independent inquiry into Adult Literacy in 2011 (led by former Education Minister Lord Boswell of Aynho and supported by NIACE). The BBC also sees museums as key partners and they will definitely work together in future but ‘not sure how’ at this time.
regional level and is now hastening that task. There was some concern that the URO might adversely affect local offers and innovation by acting as a ‘straight jacket’. Despite the success in seeding the Universal Reading Offer, some organisations expressed concern that the infrastructure within libraries might weaken to a point where they cannot take part in national activities like Bookstart. Booktrust suggested that this would mean re-examining the role of libraries and finding other partners to deliver their programmes.
Some national organisations, notably The Reading Agency, are developing new ‘contracts’ around the Universal Reading Offer (URO) with library services at individual local authority level, recognising that the ‘routes to market’ have changed; it is no longer a national infrastructure but operates at a more local, ‘granular’ level. The Reading Agency’s success has major potential for partnerships between libraries and literature organisations and is fully covered in the toolkit. It is worth noting that The Reading Agency is aware that it has not yet fully connected with Arts Council funded organisations at a Literature and Libraries in the South East and East www.bop.co.uk
8
L&LSE&E_FinalReport#AW:Layout 1 06/08/2012 08:51 Page 9
3 Opportunities This research has benefitted from full and frank inputs from a range of ‘players’ and there is universal agreement that deepening and widening the partnerships at all levels is positive for all. However, there is an overarching concern that libraries and litereature organisations should not be ‘forced into marriage’ but rather explore and develop partnerships at local and regional levels, built on trust and understanding. In the East and South East areas, interviewees acknowledged that good work and solid relationships are established, albeit not across all library services. It was heartening to have the view of the Society of Chief Librarians (SCL) that “reading, writing and literacy are building blocks for literature. Literature organisations can support libraries in this, and libraries give the literature organisations the readers”. This top level confidence that there is “plenty of room for the development of joint work even if it’s just the space – the surroundings make it different to holding book groups in the school hall” suggests that the use of library spaces can often be a practical and strategic ‘way in’.
provide to all library services in their areas, let alone all libraries, and that there will always be an element of inconsistency. The strongest partnerships are built at a local level where both partners share a commitment to and knowledge of their communities, which external agencies are less likely to be able to offer. The research showed that, in many cases, libraries at a local level are forging links with a wide range of partners, many operating within the ‘amateur’ literature sector. This therefore suggests that one of the roles for the literature development agencies is to act as information and brokerage point, rather than to deliver directly in every case. One of our respondents expressed the view that “the greatest thing they (the literature organisations) can offer is access to the regional infrastructure of literature and art; play a role as connectors to the wider literary culture of the community”. There is a need to strengthen the links across ACE-funded organisations and with smaller non-commercial literature organisations in order to work more effectively, recognising the diversity in terms of size, aims and geography.
It should be recognised that literature development agencies cannot adequately
It must be borne in mind that libraries
Literature and Libraries in the South East and East www.bop.co.uk
9
L&LSE&E_FinalReport#AW:Layout 1 06/08/2012 08:51 Page 10
need to balance one-off big events (e.g. Festivals) with more basic, sustainable activities that produce repeat attendance – the important bottom-line for the survival of libraries. Equally, the importance of building on established practice and making it more sustainable was frequently mentioned – there is little appetite for inventing further new schemes. Many of our respondents mentioned online activities and the major opportunities here. However, most library authorities are tied to their local authority websites, which offer very different levels of engagement and ease of use. Research in 2011 by the Reading Acency on libraries’ current and future digital provision suggests that this will take time to develop. Funding as well as staff capacity and skills were seen as the main barriers – but the potential, and Library authorities’ ambition to develop digital provisions (i.e. e-books, audio downloads, resources for book groups), are considerable.
programmes in place. These include book awards, which are now very popular, and the Children’s Reading Partnerships. The Association of Senior Childrens and Education Librarians (ASCEL) sees opportunities of working with literature organisations in order to widen the provision for teachers, including information and support. This could for example be around the recent trend in the interest in children’s authors. ASCEL also pointed out that national organisations have a stronger offer and profile than local bodies, and that there is a need to triangulate these relationships. A strong arts department within a local authority often helps in terms of contacts to local organisations and they stressed the benefits of building links with the arts teams.
We had very positive input from the Schools Library Services across the areas. So far, they reported little work with other organisations, perhaps because as a traded service (generally, with SLAs attached), they tend to have established and agreed
ASCEL mentioned the previously strong connections to the Creative Partnerships organisations (where these operated). The new Bridge Organisations are at an early stage of development but now have a framework (and some funds) for working with libraries and there is evidence that connections are gradually being built (e.g. the invitation to a meeting re Summer Reading Challenge). Several respondents suggested there is an
Literature and Libraries in the South East and East www.bop.co.uk
10
L&LSE&E_FinalReport#AW:Layout 1 06/08/2012 08:51 Page 11
opportunity for a campaign around building relationships in order to more clearly set out the advantages of partnership working. (The toolkit is a step on this road). There is a need to address feelings that partnership projects will involve more work and require more funding.
Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, on research into the use of literature in literacy (Transforming Writing) from September 2011-2013. Some early findings (based on previous research) suggest that children who do not have access to a high quality reading experience find it hard to communicate in different voices. www.literacytrust.org.uk/projects_networks/
Linking with existing programmes is crucial. For the new round of the Booktrust programme (Bookstart) local authorities were asked to sign partnership agreements with Booktrust for 2011-13 (length of funding agreement with DfE). The partnership agreement is signed by the Head of the Library Service and sets out the expectations of and support from Booktrust. While this was in many cases hard work, (Library Services had to make the case to their local authorities and some were better than others re skills and capacity), Booktrust played a facilitator role and by September had 100% sign-up. Libraries are often engaged in local or national initiatives to improve levels of literacy and, while this is not the role of literature organisations, both share a commitment to building social capital. The National Literacy Trust is running a major programme, with funding from the Literature and Libraries in the South East and East www.bop.co.uk
transforming_writing
Other research by the UK Literacy Association suggests that children’s literacy is damaged by teachers’ limited knowledge of texts and indicated teachers’ limited knowledge of children’s books. There are opportunities here for libraries and literature organisations along with ASCEL to work together and it was suggested that the Arts Council’s Creative People and Places initiative might produce interesting new models that bring the two together. A further Arts Council initiative, the Strategic Touring programme, was also identified as having potential: most libraries can accommodate small scale touring, and the need to develop a rural touring network where writers ‘get gigging’ was suggested.
11
L&LSE&E_FinalReport#AW:Layout 1 06/08/2012 08:51 Page 12
3.1 Funding and Sustainability While there was some quiet confidence that many partnerships could be built using existing resources, it was recognised that funding was an issue. The Library Development Initiative (LDI) initiatives are perceived as positive and many libraries mentioned the need to engage local businesses and trusts as funders. There is a view that arts organisations are more experienced in this and could play an important role in advising and supporting libraries. Many respondents mentioned the need to address sustainability. The view emerged that too often initiatives came and went and that a more strategic and longer-term approach is needed. A suggestion was put forward of ‘Literature Leads’ within library services that could help in networking and taking a more focused / planned approach to fundraising and sustainability. It seems likely that even if this is not formally adopted, literature organisations will form particular bonds with individuals that are well-placed to support the mutual Literature and Libraries in the South East and East www.bop.co.uk
objectives – essentially, self-nominating. The Steering Group agreed that a critical part of both funding (making the most of existing resources and identifying new opportunities) and sustainability lie in coordination, including bringing together information and data. It is therefore suggested that the Steering Group will remain in place to continue the dialogue and act as driver across the sectors and the areas. This will facilitate coordination with the SCL and ASCEL that are able to liaise across the two regions. For the issue of both funding and sustainability, it is clear that a better evidence base is needed. The LDI might be a means of piloting this to gather evidence about joint working. In developing the toolkit, we had difficulty in identifying good case studies on evaluation. The commissioning model (which is likely to be a good source of new investment) will depend on there being clear and coherent evidence. The Arts Council at national level should be aware that not all its literature organisations have the resources and credibility to engage successfully with libraries and here, too, there are issues of sustainability that need to be considered.
12
L&LSE&E_FinalReport#AW:Layout 1 06/08/2012 08:51 Page 13
Linking with the Universal Reading Offer may indeed be a critical driver, an ‘overarching platform’ on which a range of new and sustainable partnerships can emerge, built on local strengths such as initiatives between the Norfolk and Norwich Festival and WCN. A final observation from SCL, which was reflected in the consultation overall: “It’s thinking about the audiences first, and using your local resources to work up the ‘how’. Come up with ideas first and the rest will follow”.
Literature and Libraries in the South East and East www.bop.co.uk
13
L&LSE&E_FinalReport#AW:Layout 1 06/08/2012 08:51 Page 14
4 Response from Writers’ Centre Norwich 4 and New Writing South As established literature organisations with a history of close and productive partnerships with libraries, we recognise that as times change, so must our approaches to collaboration. Equally, both organisations work with partners beyond the libraries sector and we believe that this experience can positively contribute to the new working relationships that are emerging since Arts Council England’s assumption of responsibility for supporting and developing libraries at national level last year. The knowledge derived from this report will enable the funded literature sector (and the wider arts and culture sector) to work more closely and more productively with libraries in the coming years. Our sector has undergone as radical a shake up as the libraries sector and we are now finding that our desire to collaborate and share resources, knowledge, skills and audiences is being matched by a similar enthusiasm from the libraries. In Norwich, the UNESCO City of Literature programme has pledged to make accessible reading and writing for pleasure to everyone who lives in, works in or visits the city. The library service are key partners in achieving this aim and we have just launched a joint project around volunteer training for reading and writing clubs in public and school Literature and Libraries in the South East and East www.bop.co.uk
libraries. Library representation has been added to the County’s Executive Arts Strategy Board and arts representation to the Read East regional consortium of reader development librarians. Similar changes and opportunities are being pursued by New Writing South in Brighton and the South East. The challenge we face is not defined by regional or political boundaries. We must find ways of working that meet the aims of libraries as well as arts / literature organisations in order that the limited (and decreasing) resources are used to greatest effect and new sources of funding and support are developed and deployed for the benefit of people of all ages and backgrounds. Our Steering Group has agreed to continue its work in the South East and East and we hope to build on our learning by continuing to encourage and advocate productive relationships and collaboration in our regions including through joint bids to available Arts Council funds. Arts organisations, national partners, the Bridge organisations and local authorities together will be able to make real impacts in local communities and we’re pleased to be at the heart of those conversations and plans. Chris Taylor / Chris Gribble
14
L&LSE&E_FinalReport#AW:Layout 1 06/08/2012 08:51 Page 15
5 Appendix 5.1 Full List of Interviewees Name
Position
Organisation
Chris Gribble (Steering Group)
Chief Executive
Writers’ Centre Norwich
Chris Taylor (Steering Group)
Director
New Writing South
Lorna Payne (Steering Group)
Assistant Head of Service – Development Chair of Read East
Norfolk County Council Library and Information Service Read East
John Prebble (Steering Group)
Relationship Manager, Literature – South East
Arts Council England
Lisa Elmer (Steering Group)
Relationship Manager, Libraries – East
Arts Council England
Chris Fardon (Steering Group)
Relationship Manager, Libraries – South East
Arts Council England
Nicky Morgan
Director, Libraries
Arts Council England
Antonia Byatt
Director, Literature
Arts Council England
Jennifer Holland
Head of Libraries and Assistant Head of Cultural Services Chair of SCL for East region
Norfolk County Council SCL East
Mark Taylor
Head of Libraries, Arts and Heritage Chair of SCL for South East region
Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead SCL South East
Debbie Hicks
Director of Research
The Reading Agency
Viv Bird
Chief Executive
Booktrust
Sarah Mears
Children’s Services Development Manager Chair of ASCEL East
Essex Library Service ASCEL East
Michele Eaton
Head of Schools Library and Museum Service, Joint Chair of ASCEL South East
Schools Library and Museum Service, East Sussex ASCEL South East
Greta Paterson
Head of Children’s and Young People’s Services Joint Chair of ASCEL South East
East Sussex Library and Information Service ASCEL South East
Jonathan Douglas
Director
National Literacy Trust
Madeleine Forrester
Regional Project Manager – East
BBC Learning, East
Eleanor Gloster
Regional Project Manager – South East
BBC Learning, South East
Literature and Libraries in the South East and East www.bop.co.uk
15
L&LSE&E_FinalReport#AW:Layout 1 06/08/2012 08:51 Page 16
Writers’ Centre Norwich 14 Princes Street Norwich NR3 1AE
New Writing South 9 Jew Street Brighton BN1 1UT
E info@writerscentrenorwich.org.uk T 01603 877177
E admin@newwritingsouth.com T 01273 735353