Engagement Findings - January 2020

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Engagement Approach Engagement is an approach undertaken by the service that creates a stronger two-way relationship between the Council and communities. Our approach included a need to both share the information we have collated with stakeholders, explain the challenge and findings to date, and encourage an open two-way dialogue. It was not purely about information giving, where residents are informed but have no influence. Our engagement approach focused on engaging with members of the public, employees, and broader stakeholder groups to hear their views as we develop our plans. Employee workshops Three employee engagement workshops were held during the first week of October, to which all Libraries, Museum and Galleries employees were invited. The purpose of these sessions was to share information and data, encourage discussions with colleagues in an informal environment and obtain their views on the potential options for change. Feedback Several common themes emerged from the staff workshops. These are detailed below: Future design The future design of libraries and provision should look at opportunities to better integrate with the health and wellbeing agenda, building upon some of the excellent work seen in some of our libraries. Relocate libraries into other areas / spaces / or buildings. Share services with other Council or public sector organisations or the voluntary and community sector. Improve partnering with other organisations in the district, but let’s not be limited to Bradford. Can we think more regionally with other library authorities? Access Access to libraries should always be a priority. It is more than physical access, but about proximity to communities and giving access to those communities. Proximity to local communities is vital. A “local library” should be at the heart of a local community, and services / activities should reflect them. Statutory and Core Offer Be clear on what libraries and services are considered part of a statutory offer. Conversely, we need to be clear on what libraries are not part of our core offer. The Universal Offers should be provided to a good standard in all our Libraries. Can we be more creative and have “pop up” libraries that still would meet our core offer? Working with others Build upon the excellent work undertaken to reach out to local communities and groups. Build a stronger approach to community outreach work and especially work with schools. Volunteering There needs to be a careful approach to “volunteering” and a need to acknowledge there is a risk to service quality and continuity if not approached correctly.

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Volunteers should be there to enhance the service and not undertake the roles and functions of paid staff. Acknowledged some of the benefits of volunteers would be to reduce some pressures on staff. The uniqueness, added value, and knowledge of volunteers were acknowledged. Financially sustainable Seek opportunities for additional funding – time-limited or on-going. Invest more in libraries – not reduce funding. Develop approaches to increase the level of income e.g., better commercial approach to using library spaces and charging for activities Technology Every library should have the most up to date information technology. More specifically, high-speed broadband and improved print facilities, including wi-fi enabled printing and 3D printing. Marketing and promotion Resources are needed to help the service better promote itself and the variety of activities and events libraries undertake. Wider Engagement Following feedback from stakeholders, our approach to engagement was refined. The timescale was adjusted to include the need for additional public drop-in sessions, Facebook advertising, and the development of a final questionnaire. The questionnaire was made available on-line via the Libraries web page, and paper copies were available in Libraries. E-mails were sent to Members of Parliament and Elected Members alerting them of the engagement. The public engagement launched at the beginning of November via the Bradford MDC website, social media, Bradnet, a media release, and e-mails to Stay Connected subscribers and Head Teachers via Bradford Schools Online. 28 public drop-in sessions at both Council and community managed libraries took place where library employees with additional language skills were available upon request to support the sessions. 17 engagement sessions with accountable bodies for community managed libraries took place, and direct communication to residents who receive home library visits took place. Sessions also took place with contacts for BME, LGBTQ, Young People and Disability Groups and Area Co-Ordinators to ensure the approach was responsive to our diversity. Direct communication also took place with Ward Officers, Youth Service Commissioners and Bradford Council for Mosques. All the above organisations were encouraged to complete the online or paper surveys. Where comments were received that were not completed on the survey they were captured and fed into the findings detailed below.

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Survey Findings Respondents The survey opened on the 11 November 2019 and closed on the 20 December 2019. A total of 3,004 respondents completed this questionnaire. Overwhelmingly 78%, respondents are a Bradford district resident or a library user 82%. Demographic Profile The gender of respondents is predominantly female at 63%, (males 35%). The largest age group to respond were aged between 65 to 74. 17% of respondents declared they had a health or disability which prevents them from doing things they wanted or have to do. We also asked respondents to identify their race, ethnic or cultural origin. 65% identified themselves as White British and 19% identified themselves as Asian / Asian British Pakistani. Of those identifying as Asian / Asian British the majority 26% were young males aged 18-24. Confidence Based on a population of approximately 537,173 the sample (number of responses to the survey) of 3,004 provides results that are accurate to approximately +/- 2% with a 95% confidence level – margin of error.

Eg a 50% “Agree” response rate to a question with a margin of error of +/-2% means that between 48% and 52% of the general population think that the answer is “Agree”.

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Survey findings Distribution of respondents The map below shows the geographical distribution and location of respondents. Each individual pin identifies where respondents live.

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The Future of our Libraries Use of Volunteers We asked: Do you think we should continue to develop and build our volunteer support to our libraries?

Disagree 1,449 Agree 1,344 Don’t know / unsure 160 I don’t have an opinion 23 Total responses 2,976

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Volunteer support comments We asked respondents for a reason for their answer.

Not a substitute for paid staff (58%)

Volunteers should not be employed to replace paid staff Not at the expense of skilled / qualified / trained staff (46%)

The skills and knowledge of volunteers cannot replace that of current library staff

Volunteers could prove unreliable in some areas.

Consider the level of training required Good idea – keeps libraries open (9%)

Volunteers bring their knowledge to the library

Provides an opportunity for young people trying to get into work

Provides a place for people to meet

Employ a mix of Council and volunteer staff

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We asked: Would you be interested in becoming one of our volunteers working in a library?

Yes 231 No 2,485 I would like more information 209 Total responses 2,925

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Volunteer location We also asked those respondents who said they would be willing to volunteer at a library for their contact details. The Library Service is currently contacting those individuals. Below is a map showing where these potential volunteers are located.

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Increased use of Technology We asked: To what extent do you agree that we should continue to use technology* to provide parts of the Library Service? * Technology was described as free WiFi, improved computers, digital downloads and self-service.

Agree 2,442 Disagree 375 Don’t know / unsure 104 I don’t have an opinion 37 Total responses 2,958

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Use of technology comments We asked respondents for a reason for their answer.

Not everyone has access to a computer (67%)

Free access to ICT equipment is needed for those in the district who cannot afford it themselves

It’s the future (22%)

Technology is part of everyday life now

This is what younger people expect

Will attract more younger people Up to date technology (16%)

The ICT equipment in libraries needs to be of the latest, good quality, high specification

Staff need to have the skills to be able to help visitors use the ICT equipment Access to WiFi (6%)

Free, high speed WiFi is a necessity Self Service / experienced staff (6%)

Staff still need to be available to assist if needed

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Changing Opening Hours We asked: to what extent do you agree we should change the opening hours of some libraries based on demand?

Agree 1,601 Disagree 915 Don’t know / unsure 345 I don’t have an opinion 73 Total responses 2,934

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Change to opening hours comments: We asked respondents for a reason for their answer.

Open when most used (63%)

Must be based on demand Reduce costs (26%)

Reduce building costs

Reduce operating costs Makes sense (18%)

Why have libraries open when not being used

Be flexible / what is the local community need – modern work patterns are not static

Need to be accessible to school children after school and at the weekends Increase attendance (8%)

If open when needed then footfall may increase

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Location We asked: Would you agree that it is reasonable to use proximity to other libraries when developing future proposals?

Agree 656 Disagree 1,882 Don’t know / unsure 331 I don’t have an opinion 65 Total responses 2,934

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Location comments: We asked respondents for a reason for their answer.

5 Mile radius too far (39%)

This is too far to travel to a library

We should be discouraging people from using their own vehicles / causing pollution Libraries need to be local (35%)

Libraries should be within walking distance

Increased distance could lead to decrease in use of libraries

Need to be community based Cost and availability of public transport (27%)

Reliability of bus service

Accessibility to bus routes

Cost of bus fare Not everyone has a car (22%)

Not everyone has access to or owns a vehicle Consider the elderly and young people (10%)

It isn’t practical for the elderly or young to be expected to travel long distances to a library

Could save on cost (8%)

Reduces the number of libraries required

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Community Managed Libraries We asked: Do you think that we should continue to explore more opportunities for communities to support us to deliver library services?

Agree 1,275 Disagree 1,363 Don’t know / unsure 237 I don’t have an opinion 60 Total responses 2,935 We asked: Are you part of a community group that would be willing to talk to the Council about how you might support our library service in the future? We had 26 organisations expressing an interest.

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Community managed libraries comments: We asked respondents for a reason for their answer.

Not at the expense of skilled / qualified / trained staff (57%)

Paid staff are valued

Volunteers should not replace paid staff

Volunteers can add some value

Libraries can stay open longer (33%)

Volunteers as extra staff

Volunteers can offer administrative support

Can libraries stay open longer

Local people have the necessary expertise (11%)

Local people can bring different experiences and knowledge to the Service

Local people can bring their wider skills to the Service

Good idea – keeps libraries open (6%)

This is a good idea if this is the only option to keep libraries open

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Our Priorities We asked: What do you think that our priorities should be when considering the future of our libraries and the communities they serve?

Supporting and providing services for Young People (under 17) 1,959 Supporting and providing services for Older People (over 65) 1,769 Supporting and providing services for People with disabilities 1,226 Libraries be provided in areas of higher deprivation 1,173 Libraries be provided in areas where there are greater numbers of Young People (under 17) 534 Libraries be provided in areas where there are greater numbers of Older People (over 65) 539 Libraries be provided in areas where education levels are low 1,096 Total responses 2,845

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Our priorities comments: We asked respondents to identify any other priority areas

Open access to all (44%)

The priority should be a library should be accessible for all

Libraries should be located close to communities

Libraries should have good disabled access Council provision – invest (40%)

The priority should be for the Council to invest in the Library Service as a whole

The Council should invest in the staff and the buildings All priorities should be considered (30%)

All the priorities listed should be considered when making future decisions about the Library Service

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Priority: Libraries located in areas with high number of young people We asked respondents to determine their preferred priority areas. The map shows the location of respondents who said we should prioritise libraries being located in areas with higher number of young people.

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Priority: Libraries located in areas with high number of older people We asked respondents to determine their preferred priority areas. The map shows the location of respondents who said we should prioritise libraries being located in areas with higher number of older people.

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Priority: Libraries located in areas with high number of disabled people We asked respondents to determine their preferred priority areas. The map shows the location of respondents who said we should prioritise libraries being located in areas with higher number of people with disabilities.

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Innovation We asked: can we do things differently?

Invest in the Service (64%)

Improve the range and quality of books / materials

Rotate stock around the district

Invest in better technology for the public to use

Employ professional staff Community centre (33%)

Make the library the hub of a community

Provide different services Meetings / activities / clubs / hire out space (18%)

Hold more events for community

Hold home and community events Café (15%)

Create and area where people can get a drink and something to eat

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About you We asked: Are you responding to the engagement as

Library user – you’ve used a library in the last 12 months 1,768 A Bradford District resident 1,664 A non-library user – you’ve not used a library in the last twelve months 123 A member of the Bradford Library Service staff 24 A person with responsibility of providing a Community Managed Library 59 Bradford Council Elected Member 6 Other 150 Total responses 2,159

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Gender Identity

Male 1,006 Female 1,823 Other 8 Prefer not to say 75 Total responses 2,912

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Age

Under 18 30 18 – 24 292 25 – 34 341 35 – 44 521 45 – 54 394 55 – 64 451 65 – 74 538 75+ 255 Prefer not to say 84 Total responses 2,906

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Health or disability which prevents you from doing things you want to, need to or have to do

Yes 479 No 2,180 Prefer not to say 184 Total responses 2,843

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Race, ethnic or cultural origin

White English/Welsh/Scottish/Northern Irish/British 1,772 White Irish 28 White Gypsy or Irish Traveller 2 Any other white background 67 Asian / Asian British Indian 80 Asian / Asian British Pakistani 517 Asian / Asian British Bangladeshi 77 Asian / Asian British Chinese 11 Any other Asian background 25 Mixed white and back Caribbean 9 Mixed white and black African 14 Mixed white and Asian 21 Any other mixed ethnic background 40 African 13 Caribbean 17 Any other black / African / Caribbean background 42 Total responses 2,735