In an age of austerity, where UK statutory library provision is in jeopardy, a small band take on the responsibility of setting up and running a volunteer run library and information hub, rooted in the digital age. A story of blood, sweat and tears but despite all odds, the a library service prevailed. How did they do it?

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BURNAGE LIBRARY & ACTIVITY HUB
CASE STUDY: A 21ST CENTURY
NEIGHBOURHOOD LIBRARY
TOM NORTHEY
ETHAR ALALI
Burnage Library Activity & Information Hub
Burnage Library , Burnage Lane Manchester M19 1EW

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“Necessity is the Mother of
Invention” - Plato
(or maybe not)
Burnage Library Activity & Information Hub
Burnage Library , Burnage Lane Manchester M19 1EW

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PROBLEM: LIBRARY SERVICES ARE BEING
CUT
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2013 bad year for UK Libraries
Austerity Measures = LA Cutting Funding
Library Provision Statutory Service?
Potential Consequences for Manchester
– Hard to measure, collate different data
– Studies on Illiteracy (KPMG Foundation report)
• Uncharted Territory
– Anything Could Happen! Could happen anywhere!
• What about Burnage?
Burnage Library Activity & Information Hub
Burnage Library , Burnage Lane Manchester M19 1EW

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WHAT’S BURNAGE LIKE?
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Population: 15,098
Active Library Use:
–
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Library User Demography:
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47% to 51% < age 16
12% > age 55+
KS2 low literacy Rate 9.9%
Education:
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2,822 active users -> 46,098 visits
3 High Schools
4 Junior Schools nearby
NEET level: 4.4%
66% LSOAs in top 20% England most
deprived
Leisure Facilities Nada! Zilch! Zero!…
Strong Community Spirit
Burnage Library Activity & Information Hub
Burnage Library , Burnage Lane Manchester M19 1EW

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WHAT’S BURNAGE LIKE?
Population v Active Library Users
Gender
4,500
4,000
Frequency
3,500
3,000
2,500
2,000
1,500
Populus
1,000
Active Library Users
500
0
Under 16 16-24
Male
25-44
45-64
65+
Age Groups
Female
Housing Stock
Burnage Library KPIs
4,000
70,000
60,000
Private Rented Households
3,000
50,000
40,000
Social Rented Housing
2,000
30,000
20,000
1,000
10,000
Owner Occupied Housing
-
-
2007-08
0
500
2008-09
2009-10
2010-11
2011-12
1000 1500 2000 2500 3000
Visits
Total
Issues & Renewals
ICT Usage (hrs)
Active Users
Burnage Library Activity & Information Hub
Burnage Library , Burnage Lane Manchester M19 1EW

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LIBRARY USERS
Burnage Library Active Users by age group in last 2 years
Source: Manchester City Council
, obtained under the freedom of
Information act
900
800
700
600
2010-11
500
682
701
755
2011-12
830
400
300
64
59
126
129
165
172
173
162
248
100
259
303
317
283
292
200
0
0-10
11-20
21-30
31-40
41-50
51-60
61-70
71-80
Over 80
Burnage Library Activity & Information Hub
Burnage Library , Burnage Lane Manchester M19 1EW

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But…
Burnage Library Activity & Information Hub
Burnage Library , Burnage Lane Manchester M19 1EW

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FRIDAY 17TH MAY 2013
BURNAGE LIBRARY
1974 – 2013
Rest In Peace
Burnage Library Activity & Information Hub
Burnage Library , Burnage Lane Manchester M19 1EW

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SOLUTION: BURNAGE LIBRARY 2.0
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Constituted group – Friends of Burnage Library
Community Led Services -> Ask the community!
Role of libraries are changing -> Diverse Interests
Creative Resourcing
Build Strong Partnerships
Align With Other Agencies
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Digital Literacy Programmes
Valuing Older People AgeUK Digital Inclusion
Social Inclusion
Education and IT Literacy, Coding Clubs, Tech Meet-ups
• Bridge commercial and community interests
– Encourage small businesses and provide resources to help
Burnage Library Activity & Information Hub
Burnage Library , Burnage Lane Manchester M19 1EW

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PARTNERSHIP MODEL
• Overall strategic direction & management
• Recruit & manage volunteer team
• Building management & maintenance
• Leaseholder
• Additional support
• 15hrs NEDO (+7hrs library support)
• 8 PCs and tech support.
• RFID Self-service.
Burnage Library Activity & Information Hub
Burnage Library , Burnage Lane Manchester M19 1EW

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ACTIVITY HUB STRATEGY
Digital
Children &
Young
People
Literacy
Valuing
Older
People
Programming
Group
Singing, Rhyme
and Storytime
Outreach Library
University of the
3rd Age (U3A)
Community
& Leisure
Business &
Commerce
Film Club
Meeting Room
Local Heritage
CodeClub
Homework Club
UK Online Centre
Book Crossing
WiFi Access
Computing
Support
Girl Geeks
Lego Club
Book Swap
‘ITea and
Biscuits’ (AgeUK)
Volunteering
Opportunities
Hot-desking
Space
Skills & Training
Raspberry Pi
Christmas Bauble
Making
School Provision
Work Experience
Collaborative
Working
Burnage Library Activity & Information Hub
Burnage Library , Burnage Lane Manchester M19 1EW

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HOW WE’RE DOING IT!
Diverse Interests
Community Driven
…And Some Publicity! :)
Strong Digital Presence
VOLUNTEERS
Burnage Library Activity & Information Hub
Burnage Library , Burnage Lane Manchester M19 1EW

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THE NEW WORLD: TOP TIPS
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Embrace the Digital Revolution
Partner Up, Align with Others
Be Creative, Be lean and…
…Always look for 2 Birds to Kill
Value Community
Play to Strengths
…Know Your Limits!
Burnage Library Activity & Information Hub
Burnage Library , Burnage Lane Manchester M19 1EW

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SUMMARY
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Traditional Library in Real Jeopardy
Adapt or Die
Look At Wider, Related Fields
Embrace Digital
Think Lean
Burnage Library Activity & Information Hub
Burnage Library , Burnage Lane Manchester M19 1EW

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QUESTIONS?
Burnage Library Activity & Information Hub
Burnage Library , Burnage Lane Manchester M19 1EW