Kent Libraries’
Modernisation Programme
Sue Wheeler
District Manager, Tonbridge

Kent Libraries & Archives
 Serves population of 1,395,000
 101 static libraries
 11 mobile libraries
 12 Districts

MORI consultation 2003
 Improve book stock
 More convenient opening hours
 Better promotion of services
 Make libraries more relaxing & welcoming
 Develop social & community role of
libraries

Our mission statement
To enhance the quality of life for all Kent’s
residents by stimulating lifelong
imagination, exploration and discovery.

Core objectives
 Develop a network of welcoming &
attractive libraries
 Promote the enjoyment of reading
 Provide opportunities for learning
 Provide worldwide links to information
 Provide access to Kent’s rich culture &
heritage

Our modernisation programme:
underpinning principles
 Driven by core objectives
 Learning from others, especially customers
 Community engagement
 New ways of working
 Partnership working

New Ash Green
 External expertise – Opening the Book
 Reader centred library
 Bookshop style

Coldharbour
 One of Love Libraries case studies
 Challenging timeframe
 External expertise and challenge
 Celebrity factor

Coldharbour: key elements
 Consultation – customers & non users
 Community engagement – events &
activities
 Involved young people in designing
Reading Den
 Reading Garden – involved volunteers

Coldharbour before
transformation

Coldharbour now

Hadlow
 Rural location
 Strong sense of local community & village
history
 Loyal but restricted customer base
 Declining use – need to attract new
customers

Hadlow before transformation

Hadlow now

Hadlow – a few details

Hadlow: what difference has it
made?
 Adult issues up by 13%
 Children’s issues up by 52%
 Visits up by 13%

Hadlow: what customers said
 Lovely, bright, modern. Loads of new
books
 Welcome to the 21st century Hadlow
Library
 I would like to live here for a month
 Wicked!

Hadlow – community use
 New reading group
 Community Warden
 Author visit & local history event
 Out of hours use by community groups
 School visits
 Outreach collection in local youth centre

Sevenoaks Kaleidoscope
Aims:
 Improve library, museum & gallery to
enhance customer appeal
 Improve access
 Cross domain working

Sevenoaks – customer
comments
 ‘What a terrific encouragement to read’
 ‘A fantastic new library. Great for children, a
pleasure to visit and a brilliant introduction to
books’.
 ‘I think the new library is wonderful and I have
visited more since it has opened than the old one
in 10 years. Well done and thank you’.

Tenterden Gateway
Partnership venture incorporating
 Library
 Post Office
 Borough Council – incl. Tourist Information
 Volunteer Bureau

Tenterden Library - before

Tenterden Gateway

Ramsgate: phoenix from the
ashes

Thank you – your questions
please