Libraries have huge potential to deliver improved outcomes in local communities. They support people’s desire to learn and achieve; enable them to engage with a digital world; provide practical support and guidance at key points when people need help; and foster cohesion amongst diverse communities.

As councils across England handle increasing pressures and competing priorities, they need to look at different ways to help sustain and support library services in the future. Doing this successfully will involve a wide range of people, including: heads of library services, elected members, transformation officers and other interested parties.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has commissioned an additional free masterclass designed to bring together these different perspectives. The event will focus on the same issues and subject matter covered during the masterclasses held in early 2017, designed to encourage councils to think strategically about the future shape and delivery model for their library service.

This free event will also focus on the practicalities of establishing public service mutuals and other alternative delivery models for library services, bringing together specialists expertise and the real-life experiences of trailblazing library services. They will cover a range of areas, including:

• Why consider an alternative delivery model for library services?
• What alternative delivery model options are available?
• What are the benefits, risks and challenges associated with each of these models?
• How do you create an alternative delivery model for a library service?
• What lessons can we learn from library services that have already established as alternative delivery models?

You will learn from, and be able to speak to:

• Fiona Williams, Chief Executive, Explore York Libraries and Archives
• Ciara Eastell OBE, Chief Executive, Libraries Unlimited
• Peter Gaw, Chief Executive, Inspire Culture, Learning and Libraries
• Alison Wheeler, Chief Executive, Suffolk Libraries IPS
• Sheila Bennett, Libraries Taskforce
• Oliver Cappleman and Mark Bandalli, Mutual Ventures

Please note that if you plan on travelling to Beeston Library and are using a satellite navigation system, use the postcode NG9 2NJ - Commercial Avenue, not the Beeston Library postcode. The library postcode will take you to a pedestrianised road and you will be unable to gain access to Foster Avenue.

For directions and all travel information (including the tram from Nottingham Station), please click on the link below:

https://www.inspireculture.org.uk/whats-on/news/beeston-library-directions/