Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council in the North East of England became a unitary authority in 1996 and Stockton library service has responded with passion and innovation to the challenge this presented. Its success is highlighted by the council's award of Beacon status in the theme of Libraries as a Community Resource. The library service is an integral part of a robust corporate planning framework and plays a vital role in working towards supporting the council's overall objective of promoting achievement and tackling disadvantage by the provision of accessible, quality services responsive to the needs and lifestyles of all areas of the community.
The Practice
In its successful application for Beacon status in the theme of Libraries as a Community Resource Stockton library service has shown enthusiasm, creativity, a caring approach and commitment to customer focused service delivery. This enthusiasm is underpinned by a strong performance management culture in a local authority that has responded positively to the challenge of modernisation and continuous improvement; and by a proactive and innovative approach to library service development.
The library service is held in high esteem within the council, enjoys a high level of corporate support and works collaboratively and cross-sectorally in the development and delivery of services that contribute to wider authority strategies. Local strategic partnerships are key multi-agency drivers of the Community Plan and the library service has a wide range of strong and successful partnerships with clear objectives across services, agencies and other local authorities in working with children and young people, the blind and visually impaired, health, e-government strategy and neighbourhood renewal.
Stockton-on-Tees library service is producing excellent work within specific service areas:
- social inclusion,
- working with children,
- community access through ICT,
- support for the local business community,
- undertaking the council's objectives in relation to the e-government strategy,
- the promotion of literacy in the community and the prison environment,
and working with hard to reach groups such as
- young people,
- the visually impaired community,
- traveller communities,
- black and minority ethnic groups.
The council has a very good history of validation of its service improvements; through community satisfaction surveys, independent analysis and award schemes. Central to the excellent service provision of Stockton-on-Tees library service is the recognition that libraries need to be enjoyable as well as accessible.
Key Lessons
- How the council's library service interacts with children and young people and staff to develop and deliver services in support of literacy, numeracy, social inclusion and promoting a love of reading in support of the National literacy and numeracy strategies.
- How the library service works closely with other service providers within the prison environment to introduce innovative events/activities to support and encourage inmates and their families in the promotion of reading and development of literacy skills.
- How the library service embraces cultural diversity through engaging with local ethnic communities.
- How the library service has developed a strong and caring partnership with the local blind and visually impaired community to mutual benefit in the provision of equal access to services.
- How the library service has wholeheartedly pioneered the ICT agenda for both staff and the local communities.
Further ContactAnne Tingle
Children Education & Social Care,
Stockton Central Library,
Church Road,
Stockton-on-Tees,
TS18 1TU
Telephone: 01642 526472
E-mail: anne.tingle@stockton.gov.uk
