‘Time to bring libraries into 21st century’

After he took the final decision to cut services back across the city and close Eastville Library, mayor George Ferguson explains how he wants to see traditional libraries evolve and adapt for the 21st century.

Bristol has the highest number of libraries per head in England. But while other cities are dramatically scaling back libraries and campaigners predict hundreds more will close by 2016, we’ve decided to protect this vital community service.

I’ve listened to the strength of public feeling and acted to save libraries earmarked for closure. We’ve secured a base on which we can now build. But this can’t be business as usual, as we can’t deny the number of people using libraries across the country is falling, particularly among children.

To keep hold of these cherished spaces, we need to ensure libraries adapt to change and evolve to become modern learning destinations.

In the coming years we’ll have to experiment and pilot new initiatives to reach much further into communities and make libraries part of everyone’s lives. 

Initiatives to narrow the digital divide, support for small business start ups, job clubs, cooking classes and free breakfasts for low income families over the summer, live music and ‘social spaces’ for lonely older people and dementia sufferers are just some of the initiatives being trialed in libraries around the world. As Bristol’s libraries continue to evolve and find a renewed sense of purpose these could become part of a different service.

But, of course, the key challenge facing libraries is the pace of technological change. Many libraries are rising to this challenge while maintaining their historic mission statement of offering equal access to information and knowledge. By embracing new technologies and building their digital content, libraries can become cutting edge once more.

A great example of this is the growth of Makerspaces, which are busy introducing a new generation to participatory learning, creativity and community partnership.

An emerging presence in libraries, Makerspaces are shared work areas where people build things collaboratively. They use Makerspace technologies like 3D printing, which is already being used to great effect in Bristol. 

Bristol-based Joel Gibbard is one such pioneer, having picked up the James Dyson award last week for creating an affordable prosthetic hand with a 3D printer. 

It’s now widely acknowledged that technology like 3D printing is unleashing a new entrepreneurial spirit and revolutionising manufacturing. For Bristol to remain a city of opportunity we must aim to make this technology more widely accessible – and we should be seriously considering piloting maker culture in libraries. 

The change we must bring about in the coming years will strengthen libraries as important community assets. Yes, this will be done with a tight budget and we will have to look at bringing in trained volunteers to compliment staff and build capacity. But I’m determined to see this change happen.

If anyone needs reminding of libraries’ importance to communities, you only have to look at the role played by the local library in Ferguson, Missouri, during some of the worst race riots in modern American history last year. With violence exploding on the streets, schools and public services closed but one building stayed open. The library acted as a refuge for children who had nowhere else to go. A sign outside read, ‘Stay strong Ferguson. We are family.’

It’s a measure of what libraries can achieve that while buildings were being burnt down, this library was keeping the local community together.

Helping our libraries evolve and fully realize their potential as community assets will take time. It won’t happen overnight. Budgets are under enormous pressure and partnership working with other agencies will be required to deliver all the change we wish to see.  

But there’s now a clear commitment to put libraries at the heart of our communities and ensure they play a key role in lifelong learning, social mobility and inspiring future generations.

Libraries can no longer simply be a warehouse of information, they will have to change and become community builders. They’ve always been a great community asset, but it’s time to unlock their full potential and bring them into the 21st century.