1. WORKSHOP
Prosperity catalysts:
Libraries making an impact on the economic agenda
Thu 27 June 2013
The REC Centre, Towcester Road, Far Cotton, Northampton NN4 8LG
An intensive one-day workshop for public library services seeking to support access to
employment and business opportunities – by building on their social capital as a trusted place
at the heart of the community
Who is this workshop for?
For anyone who is involved in re-shaping and positioning public library services to ensure they are
relevant to the communities they serve. Please note that spaces are limited to ensure the workshop is
interactive and focused on the learning objectives.
Programme outline:
- The economic agenda
- Mapping the partners
- Meeting the partners
- Getting internal buy-in
- Shaping & promoting the offer
- Measuring impact
By the end of the day participants will have increased
their understanding of:
- How to re-orientate library service offer to support
enterprise and employability
- Key partners: who they are are, their priorities and
how these match the library assets
- How this all works in practice for Northamptonshire
libraries
Why Northamptonshire libraries?
We won the 2013 EDGE award in the ‘social innovation’ category, for our work supporting employment
and enterprise through libraries. In the words of the award judges: “With ‘Enterprise Hubs’
Northamptonshire Libraries offer a successful, holistic business support network designed to help local
people with a mind to starting their own business. The ‘Hubs’ are providing people – women returners,
over-50s, and young people – with the tools they need to get better jobs, better lives. ... Strong
partnership working is a key feature, and case studies testify to the success of the ‘Hubs’ “
Who will lead the workshop?
The workshop will be led by Barbara Leigh (Principal Librarian) and Carl Dorney (Central Library
Manager). As members of our senior management team, they lead on our award-winning work on the
economic agenda. They also have substantial experience in training, coaching and service development.

2. Barbara Leigh, Principal Librarian Northampton / Wellingborough Area
Barbara has worked in a library environment throughout her career, and has
substantial experience in public, academic, and specialist libraries – especially about
frontline leadership: she was a library manager at 19.
As Principal Librarian for the Northampton and Wellingborough Area, Barbara leads
the Business and Work programme, supporting job seekers and entrepreneurs, with
the added innovation of business ‘hatcheries’ at Wellingborough Library.
Barbara also leads on the development and delivery of quality customer service standards across the
service. She introduced ‘lean thinking’ in our libraries, forming and leading a ‘lean thinking team’ that
has saved £60,000 to date.
Barbara has coached and mentored staff extensively throughout her career, and is currently in the final
stages of attaining the CIPD ‘Certificate in Learning and Development Practice’
Carl Dorney, Northamptonshire Central Library Manager
Carl delivered the £200k transformation project of this flagship library –
Northamptonshire’s busiest – to create a ‘Learner Friendly environment’ and a
‘Discover centre’ in 2011, and is currently working on the restoration of the historic
Carnegie Room as a community performance facility.
Carl also has county-wide leadership responsibilities, including managing our
Enterprise Hubs and the relationship with the key partners.
Carl has a track record of leading staff during times of significant change, and is responsible for staff
learning, development and skills. This builds on his experience recruiting, developing and managing over
30 staff and volunteers in a busy central library.
Event cost: £225 (includes materials, refreshments and lunch)
For all enquiries related to this event please contact:
Jorge Solis
Principal Librarian - Transformation
01604 366162
jsolis@northamptonshire.gov.uk
Twitter: @enterpriselibs
Website: www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/enterpriselibs