Delivering more efficiently and effectively
Peer reviews
Three pilot peer reviews have been held in East Sussex, Bristol
and Devon and a workshop was held in September to start the process of
evaluating the pilots. It brought together the Head of Service from a reviewed
authority, peers from the first two reviews, and MLA and IDeA project leads.
The workshop focused on evaluation of the process, looking at the review principles,
the systems involved etc.
The overwhelming view was that, while there were concerns
about some of the practical arrangements, the reviews had been positive experiences
for both the authorities under review and the peer teams who undertook them.
The early indications are that peer review will result in significant improvements
in library service provision within a reviewed authority. This will be assessed
as action plans are implemented and their outcomes evaluated.
The authorities
for phase one of the roll out of peer review have now been agreed.
They are:
- Bath & North East Somerset
- Bradford
- Peterborough
- London Borough of Ealing
- London Borough of Merton
- London Borough of Newham
The reviews will take place between February and
April.
Core standards
Libraries minister Andrew McIntosh announced “fewer but no less demanding” public
library standards on 25th October.
In future, libraries in England
will be asked to meet ten criteria in order to meet their obligations to local
people. These include targets for:
- Closeness of libraries to their customers
- Opening hours
- Access to the internet and other online catalogue services
- Number of books
and other items purchased new each year
Full details of the new standards
can be found on the DCMS website at http://www.culture.gov.uk/global/publications
New
ways of working
Stock procurement
Consultants PKF have been appointed to conduct an in-depth
review to find the best and most cost-effective way to operate the book supply
chain, and to look at budget issues and efficiency in public library services.
The project is being led by DCMS, with support from other key partners including
MLA and SCL. The outcomes of the work will inform the DCMS response to the
Gershon review, seeking efficiency savings of 7.5% over three years.
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