Agenda item

Councillor Harcourt, Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Residents Services, explained that the council was committed to keeping all of its libraries open. The administration had pledged to modernise and widen the appeal of libraries and this report updated the committee on the work which had been done since its July meeting.

Mike Clarke explained that the work to modernise and widen the appeal of the council’s libraries also included work to make them more sustainable financially and protect them for the future. One of the ideas to do this had been to pass responsibilities for the libraries to a trust, however, this was not being taken forward because at present the costs and risks of such a move outweighed its benefits. Savings were also being planned for the elements of the libraries service shared with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster City Council; Hammersmith and Fulham would save £90,000 as a result of these efficiencies. The council was looking to bring in more revenue through its libraries, for example by selling hot drinks and stationery, renting out space to organisations which provided services which would complement existing library services, increasing the number of lettings to groups, and by holding weddings at Fulham Library. Mike Clarke said that the council wanted to use volunteers to do more in libraries, not replacing paid staff, but providing extra services. Work had begun to ensure that volunteers were given the support they needed.

A resident noted that there was scaffolding up at Hammersmith Library and asked what was being done. Mike Clarke explained that the roof was being repaired and that these works would be completed in the near future.

Karen Blackwell, Library Assistant at Fulham Library, said that she did not feel weddings were being advertised well enough. Mike Clarke agreed and said that this was being dealt with. Karen Blackwell said that there was also an issue with cleaning by Amey. Councillor Coleman asked that he be passed the details as it was important that contractors be held to their contract standards.

Councillor Coleman asked whether any work had been done commercialising the council’s extensive archive. Helen Worwood said that a business case had been developed for digitising old photos of the borough and then selling prints of these, however, the initial outlay was high and the income was very uncertain. Councillor Coleman asked to be sent the business case. Mike Clarke explained that the idea of using items as props in filming seemed unlikely to work as there were not many suitable items in the archive. It was noted that filming in libraries had to be balanced against the provision of the library service.

Mark Richardson said that he felt the Hammersmith and Fulham Libraries Facebook page ought to be more varied; at the moment it seemed to mostly promote children’s activities when there was much more going on in libraries.

Antonia Hollingsworth, Principal Business Investment Officer, said that she had previously suggested a scheme to provide business information through libraries. Mike Clarke suggested that this be explored outside of the meeting. Councillor Harcourt noted that a Workary, a co-working hub for business start ups and flexible working, was being set up in Kensington and Chelsea and that if that seemed successful it would provide other opportunities for small businesses in libraries.