Conference build-up 6

Shared services in public libraries form the topic for the second session of our conference on Thursday 16th May. We hear of an award winning model being adopted in Nottingham City Libraries, incorporating partners from health and social care, housing, welfare rights, neighbourhood management, play and youth services.

Christina Dyer, Head of Library and Information Service (joint) and Sue Sanderson, Assistant Centre Manager, Bulwell Riverside will guide us through the rationale for, practicalities, realities and benefits of a joint service centre model at Bulwell Riverside and St Ann's Valley Centre Libraries. Both opened last year under this new model, with exceptional increases in performance information in both libraries and positive feedback from citizens, patients and colleagues.

Both libraries were in desperate need of renovation, to stimulate stagnating performance and to develop the full, modern library offer. Including libraries in a JSC environment, has enabled the libraries to become a central part of the facilities at the heart of communities and of the buildings, providing a lively ‘shop window’. These JSC’s include the Library and Information Service as the lead service for the ‘Ask Here’ desk, the focal point of the centre where enquiries concerning all the partner services are responded to and signposted to, including social care, primary and community health, housing, neighbourhood management, welfare rights, play and youth.  The libraries have successfully provided citizens and patients with a caring and friendly welcome at each of these centres, promoting a positive image of the centre, partners and modern library service.

Shortlisted for Library of Year in The Bookseller Awards 2013 which recognises the steps being made in bringing our Library Service right up to date and working in collaboration with all colleagues in the service, our partners and the local community who have been key in our achievement.

"Collaboration in Nottingham: the Bulwell Riverside and St Ann’s Valley Centre Library Partnership projects" is scheduled between 11:00 and 12 noon at the CILIP Cymru Wales Annual Conference in Cardiff on Thursday 16th May 2013.

Christina Dyer's professional library career began as a trainee with Hertfordshire County Council. Christina moved to Nottingham City in 1998 by way of a variety of positions with Hampshire CC, Isle of Wight , Cornwall CC, Leicester and Leicestershire CC, and a spell away from public service at the BBC Music Library, and then the Department for Trade & Industry Business Library in London and also as a Marketing Manager for a company making electronic testing equipment for the broadcasting industry. Currently Head of Service, Libraries and Information as part of the Culture, Parks and Open Spaces and Leisure team in a Communities Directorate; Christina is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals and the Society of Chief Librarians.

Sue Sanderson. After 20 years in the banking and finance sector, Sue joined Nottingham City Libraries & Information Service in 1999. Sue has worked in libraries across the City as a Library Assistant and Library Manager and was appointed Assistant Centre Manager at Bulwell Riverside in January 2012.   In this role Sue is responsible for library and information provision including customer services within a busy Joint Service Centre. Currently Sue is Acting Centre Manager covering both Bulwell Riverside and St Ann’s Valley Centre.

Image Credit Pixabay under Creative Commons Public Domain license.