The Libraries Agency has launched a new workshop programme, Libraries Matter: Communicating the Value of Library Services. It's a flexible, custom-built programme designed to be delivered in-house.

There's never been a more critical time for libraries to focus on the value they deliver through their core services, the value of library spaces to the community, the value of the partnerships that libraries have built. The workshops will help library practitioners to build a coherent story, and create a communications plan to reach key audiences.

'We tend to understand the value of libraries in broad terms,' says David Lindley, director, 'and it's those broad categories of social and economic value that inform a lot of useful advocacy work in the sector. But if you want to build an effective communications strategy it has to be very specific, with clear aims and outcomes. It has to be local, and it has to engage frontline staff.

'We can't afford to take anything for granted. We need, for example, to get beyond describing libraries as providers of books and information and break those generalisations down into their component parts - what our services really are, what their value is and to whom - and agree how best to describe them. We need to understand and talk about the effects of those services on people's lives, and make sure we put together a coherent and persuasive argument around what we will lose in real value if we can’t continue to fund and support those services. What I am aiming to do with Libraries Matter is consolidate a number of processes into a focused way of analysing and articulating library value, and then help libraries implement a communications plan that will work as an effective and consistent advocacy framework.'

The Libraries Agency will launch a new series of one-day regional seminars for senior librarians in January 2010, to run throughout the UK until June. The focus will be on how trends in technology are allowing library services to improve the customer experience, save costs and increase efficiency.

The seminars will bring together leading representatives from the library supply industry to illustrate how innovation is changing the face of public libraries through the adoption of online services, RFID technology, evidence based stock management, integrated management systems and enhanced product information.

Participating will be Intellident, Civica, smartsm, Bowker and OverDrive, as well as guest speakers from the library profession. Together they will explore some of the challenges facing the modern public library service, and how these are being met by leading practitioners. The seminars will be free to attend.

In the absence of the Library Show in 2010, the seminar series will also provide an important opportunity for librarians to catch up with developments in key areas of the industry.

For more information click here.

RECESSION SURVIVAL TOOLKIT FOR LIBRARIES

The Libraries Agency has made its own contribution to the thinking around the role of libraries in the economic recession. David Lindley of the agency has produced a digest of ideas that focus on communicating the value of libraries to anyone who might be casting a critical eye over the costs of running a public service.

'There are enough good ideas around about what libraries can do for their customers, how they can offer them help and support as well as ways of highlighting libraries as an alternative to consumer spending,' says David Lindley. 'What I wanted to do here is focus more on internal and local communications strategies to bring out the real value and true contribution that individual services actually make to the wider social and economic agenda.'

'There is no doubt that public services will be facing some very painful choices over the next few years. Yet libraries are proving really successful in the economic downturn as well as continuing to offer a non-judgmental space for people who need information and access to skills and support. To preserve that valuable role libraries need urgently to focus not so much on high level and generalised advocacy as on local level strategies to make very specific points to particular people. I hope some of the methodology outlined in this embryonic toolkit will help libraries do that.'

As well as providing a framework for developing a value communication strategy, the toolkit also offers suggestions about effective stock promotion, cutting costs by investing in stock management tools and highlights some new opportunities for revenue generation.

Click here for: Libraries in the recession: developing a survival toolkit

The implementation team for the new Northern Ireland Library authority has appointed the Libraries Agency to help create and develop a brand strategy and marketing plan for the new service.

In April 2009 the current five Library Boards will be replaced by a single library authority for the whole province, creating the UK's largest single library service.

Irene Knox, Chief Executive Designate, says: 'These are exciting times for all of us as we look forward to the opportunities the new structure will offer the people of Northern Ireland. We are going forward with a new, single library authority for the whole province. That presents us with a unique opportunity to create a common understanding of the value of the library service and to work towards a more cohesive message. We are delighted to be working with David Lindley of the Libraries Agency, on both the brand for the new authority and on the wider marketing strategy for the service itself.'

David Lindley adds: 'This is as good a chance as you can get to design a 'national' marketing strategy that will actually work. We've got the essential thinking process completed. I'm looking forward to working with a really great team of people to put the first building blocks of the strategy in place – and getting results.'

Unique Space Solutions (USS), a network partner of the Libraries Agency, has confirmed a major new agreement with Wiltshire County Council to develop commercial revenue streams for the authority.

The Libraries Agency has brokered several income generation agreements with public library services. This is the first time the opportunity has been taken up by the entire council service.

'There are great potential advertising opportunities available to the County Council,' commented Carl Turner, managing director of USS. 'We are looking forward to developing the initiative, both within the library service and the wider council portfolio.'

USS act as managing agent for revenue generation in several library authorities, including Essex, Dorset, Somerset, Bromley, Bristol and Leeds.

As library budgets continue to come under pressure, and as traditional income streams start to dry up, a number of public library authorities have been working with commercial partners to tap in to new revenue opportunities. The partnerships are being brokered by David Lindley of the Libraries Agency with Brandspace CMS, a commercialisation management business with a track record of identifying and delivering revenue in the property, retail and shopping centre sectors.

To read the full feature in CILIP Library + Information Gazette, click here.

The Libraries Agency has launched a new website, offering a range of services to libraries, from marketing and promotion to income generation.

David Lindley, formerly Sales and Marketing Director of Books for Students, and until December last year Marketing and Communications Manager for Coutts Information Services, has relaunched the Agency with a network of talented creatives who will be able to bring new ideas and fresh thinking to the library sector.

'The concept behind the Agency,' says David Lindley, 'is to harness the experience of creative people who can bridge the space between the commercial sector and public service culture, and at the same time recognise and mobilise the talent that already sits inside library organisations that just needs to find its voice.'

To see more, click here for the full press release.