Hertfordshire Libraries, Heritage and the Arts - Hertfordshire County ...

ContentsPageLibraries for the 21st Century 1Services to Children and Young People 3• Bookstart 3• Summer Reading Challenge 5• Fulfilling their Potential 6• Out of hours study support 6• Other developments 6• Schools Library Service (SLS) 7Information 9• Information and enquiry services 9• The Online Reference Library 9• Information partnerships 10• Digital Citizenship 10• The People's Network 10• E-Government 11• Adult learning 11• ICT learning 11• E-learning 11• Skills for Life 12• Learning partnerships 13• Inspiring Learning for All 13Library Stock and Reader Development 14• Value for Money 14• Managing the stock 15• Stock presentation 15• Reader Development 16• Reading as a creative activity 16Equalities and Social Inclusion in Service Delivery 18• Cassettes for Blind People Service 18• Mobile Services 18• Partnership working 19• Marketing 19• Equalities monitoring 19Heritage and Arts 20• Hertfordshire Archives & Local Studies (HALS) 20• Museums 24• Arts Development 26i

ForewordThis is the first Annual Report by the Director of Children, Schools & Families on theprovision of Library, Heritage & Arts services. The report shows the breadth of servicesprovided, the achievements and developments during 2006-07, and the challenges facingthe service in 2007-08.The service exists to provide open access to knowledge, information and creative works toencourage individuals and groups to develop and enrich their lives. The case studies in thereport illustrate the very positive impact that these services can have on the lives ofindividuals in Hertfordshire. The popularity of the service is also reflected by the 5,500 pluspositive comments and compliments received during 2006-07.The endorsement of the Libraries for the 21st Century (L421C) vision has provided a newdirection for the service in 2006-07. The changes have been firmly based on key messagesreceived from our customers: to provide greater accessibility to the service and to improvethe attractiveness of the buildings. The substantial programme of investment funded therefurbishment for seven libraries and a significant increase in opening hours in 2006-07.These changes have already raised awareness and increased use of the service but they willalso offer future opportunities for partnership work with other local authorities, the healthservice, voluntary and other organisations.A further challenge for 2007-08 will be to ensure that the staffing structure of the LibraryService is best fitted to make full use of these opportunities. The service is already tacklingthe difficult challenges and changes of this process and the new structure will be in place byDecember 2007.This report clearly states how the service will be approaching these challenges to enable usto improve the provision of cultural services to the entire Hertfordshire community.John HarrisDirector of Children, Schools & Familiesii

Section 1 - Introduction: Libraries for the 21st CenturyLibraries for the 21st CenturyThis is one of the most excitingdevelopments for the library service formany years. A substantial investmentprogramme ensured that:• Libraries opened for longer, moreconvenient hours. From 5 March 2007:‣ Five of the largest libraries – StAlbans, Hemel Hempstead,Stevenage, Welwyn Garden Cityand Bishops Stortford joinedWatford library in opening from13.00-17.00 on Sundays.‣ 16 of the busiest libraries now openevery night of the week, some until20.00.‣ 25 libraries now open six days aweek.‣ Hertfordshire Archives and LocalStudies (HALS) now opens on twolate evenings instead of one.‣ Central Resources Library nowopens at 08.00 to harmonise withthe Customer Service Centre.• A programme of buildingrefurbishments was completed. During2006-07:‣ Tring Library had majorrefurbishment work carried out,including complete redecoration,new lighting, updated shelving, anew separate and increased ICTarea, additional public floor space,extra books and a new counter andenquiry desk.‣ Goffs Oak Library received a facelift and was made more accessiblewhen the raised platform supportingthe children’s area was removed.The children’s library has beencompletely refurbished and fittedout with new shelving and carpet.‣ London Colney Library’s externalappearance was brightened up witha striking royal blue colour scheme.Inside the public space wasextended giving more room forcommunity information and notices.Extra ICT facilities, replacementshelving and a modernised counterand enquiry desk have all helpedthe transformation.‣ Welwyn Village Library has hadmodern shelving installed and animproved layout.‣ Watford Library has had the secondphase of the refurbishmentcompleted which has improved thereference library, gallery and lecturehall. On the ground floor there isadditional public ICT equipment,new shelving and a new periodicalsarea.‣ Hatfield Library reopened at the endof July 2007 after an £800,000internal and external refurbishment.London Colney Library (above and below)More library refurbishments are plannedfor 2007-08.1

Section 1 - Introduction: Libraries for the 21st Century• A targeted marketing campaign hashighlighted what libraries have to offer,both to existing library users andpeople who don’t currently use libraryservices. Some of the highlights of thecampaign include:‣ Adshel adverts to promote Sundayopening at Bishops Stortford, HemelHempstead, St Albans andStevenage libraries‣ New vibrant modern externalsignage at all librariesEntrance to Oxhey library‣ Radio advertising on Chiltern FMand Mercury FM highlighting freeInternet access and children’sservices‣ Bus advertising – “Visit your library”adverts on 35 buses acrossHertfordshire• A new ‘Love your library loyalty cardscheme’ is proving extremelypopular with library users. Regularborrowers receive a ‘Borrow one,get one free’ voucher for DVDs,CDs or talking books, plus theopportunity to win a book token in amonthly prize draw. Over 40,000collector cards have been returnedso far.Cllr Keith Emsall (Executive Member forCommunity Safety and Culture) takes somereading for his bus journey‣ Adshel adverts (bus stopadvertising) to promote the new ICTsuite at Watford library2

Section 2 - Services to Children and Young PeopleServices for children and youngpeople“Reading and libraries are crucial toachieving our national ambitions forcommunity cohesion, active citizenship,lifelong learning and happy lives for ourchildren”(Start with the Child report, September2002, CILIP)• Fulfilling Their Potential (the Teenagestrategy).• Out of Hours Study Support.BookstartBookstart is a national scheme initiatedand administered by the Arts andEducational charity, Booktrust. It is a multiagencypartnership between libraries,health visitors and education and is fundedby Booktrust, Central Government andcommercial sponsorship.Hertfordshire Libraries strive to be familyfriendly, supporting the needs of children,young people, their parents and carers. Allpublic libraries and mobile libraries provideaccess to a range of materials andactivities for children and have 336,236children's items in stock. Young People’sServices Librarians work in every Districtpromoting libraries and reading to children,young people, parents and carers, as wellas partner organisations and local groups,eg Children’s Centres.“Learning to read is probably the singlemost important factor in school success,and nothing contributes to success in earlyliteracy as much as early exposure tobooks”(Naomi Eisenstadt, Head of Sure Start)Framework for the Future (F4F), thenational strategy for public libraries, hasidentified four national offers for childrenand young people, which HertfordshireLibraries are already delivering.These offers are:• Bookstart.• The Summer Reading ChallengeBookstart is based on the principle thatevery child in the UK should have theopportunity to enjoy book sharing from asearly an age as possible so that theybenefit educationally, culturally, sociallyand emotionally. Book sharing drawschildren towards literacy through the loveof stories, songs and rhymes andencourages parents to see themselves astheir baby’s first and most enduringteacher.Hertfordshire Library Service andHertfordshire Primary Care Trusts (PCTs)have been involved with gifting BookstartBaby Bags to babies aged 7-9 monthssince 1999. The scheme was extended in2005 so that children now receive anadditional two packs – the Bookstart+satchel for children aged 18-30 monthsand My Bookstart Treasure Chest forchildren aged 36-48 months.3

Section 2 - Services to Children and Young PeopleKey facts and figures for 2006-07• Hertfordshire gifted 10,400 BookstartBaby Bags – this suggests thatapproximately 80% of eligible childrenreceived a Bag.• 9,200 Bookstart+ satchels weredistributed to toddlers usually at theirtwo year development check, reachingapproximately 70% of this age group.• 3,680 Treasure Chests were distributedto children via their private nursery orday care setting during the summerterm 2006. A further 13,700 childrenhave received theirs via 275 councilnurseries during the academic year2006-07.Libraries in Hertfordshire act as asecondary gifting point for all the Bookstartpacks, particularly for children who havemissed the relevant gifting health check orwho do not attend an Early Years setting.Libraries also play an important role insupporting Bookstart by offering:• Baby Rhyme Times provided in 29libraries by staff who have beenspecially trained. They emphasise theimportance of parents interacting withbabies to develop early literacy skills.Responses by parents/carers to the“Loving Baby Rhyme Time” surveyincluded:“Daisy loves the songs and being withother children”“I would recommend Rhyme Time toanyone. It helps babies to grow inconfidence”• Weekly storytimes in every staticlibrary.“Storytime is fantastic” (Childminder-Kings Langley)• Bookstart Book Crawl – a library joiningincentive for children between the agesof 0-48 months. After five visits they areawarded a certificate of their choice.There are five certificates to collect,each one designed by a leadingchildren’s illustrator. This scheme waslaunched Countywide in all libraries onNational Bookstart Day 2006. Sincethen 4,800 “Crawls” have been startedand 1,030 certificates awarded. 728children have joined to take part.Children with special educational needsBooktouch is a Bookstart pack availablefor children aged 0 – 48 months with avisual impairment. Contents include tactilebooks and information for parents/carerson sharing books with a visually impairedchild. 18 children received a pack in 2006-07.Opportunity classes are run by healthprofessionals for children under five whohave special needs. Visits have beenmade to seven classes to talk to parentsand to offer a Booktouch pack or tactilebooks, depending on the needs of theindividual child. Visits to the remaininggroups are being organised for the comingyear.Bookstart have produced two SENbooklists which have been distributed tolibraries, Opportunity classes, Children’scentres, SENCo and HomestartVolunteers.:• Finding books to suit different needs,which suggests book titles in variousformats eg signing, tactile and on CD.• Finding inclusive books, which givesexamples of books showing positiveimages of children with a disability.4

Section 2 - Services to Children and Young PeopleChallenges in delivering the BookstartProgramme 2007-08• In October 2006 eight Primary CareTrust (PCT) areas were merged to formtwo PCTs for Hertfordshire. This hashad very little impact on the delivery ofthe Bookstart packs and healthprofessionals remain very committed tothe scheme. However shortages ofhealth visitors in some areas has led toeither a targeting of the two year checkor delay in carrying them out. During2007-08 there will be increasedpublicity via Children’s Centres toencourage parents/carers to collect aBookstart+ satchel from a library orclinic.• The use of Children’s Centres as agifting location for Bookstart Baby Bagsand Satchels needs to be considered.• Building and developing furtherpartnerships with the following groups:‣ Teenage mothers – working withthe Teenage Pregnancy Managerand relevant Health Visitors.‣ Asian women’s groups – workingwith MECCS and ACL to promoteand distribute Dual languageBookstart packs.‣ Looked after children – working withCSF colleagues and Health Visitors.‣ Children with special educationalneeds – working with Area SpecialEducational Needs Coordinators(SENCOs), the Visual ImpairmentUnit and pre-school support groups.‣ Traveller families – working with theTraveller Education Team.• Promoting Bookstart more widelythrough other key organisations, egHomestart, National Childbirth Trust,and National Childminding Association.The Summer Reading ChallengeThe Summer Reading Challenge is themost successful event held inHertfordshire Libraries each year.Key facts and figures of The ReadingMission 2006• 14,524 children took part – this was anincrease of 9% on the previous year.• 57% were girls and 43% were boys.• 7,902 children completed theChallenge exceeding the Local AreaAgreement target by 652 children• 845 children joined a library to takepart.• 129 presentations took place inlibraries.• 569,101 items of children’s stock wereissued during the time of the challenge• 75 Millennium Volunteers (aged 16-25)were recruited to support theChallenge.The Summer Reading Challenge promotesreading for pleasure. It maintains readinglevels over the summer and boosts selfesteem and confidence in young readers.Children read six books and visit their locallibrary to tell library staff about them.Library staff in all libraries can supportchildren with their choice of books. Alongthe way stickers and rewards are awarded.On completion children are invited to apresentation at their local library wherethey receive their medal and certificate.In 2006, 582 ‘Tell us what you think’ slipswere returned from families taking part.These are evaluated against the MuseumsLibraries and Archives Council’s (MLA)Inspiring Learning for All Generic LearningOutcomes (GLOs). These commentsprovide evidence that participants enjoythe experience of visiting the library, aremore adventurous in their reading choicesand are likely to maintain the reading habit.5

Section 2 - Services to Children and Young People"It was fun and good to read differentbooks, and was nice to scooter to thelibrary with mum in the evening to changebooks. The library people are really niceand friendly. Thanks.""Jacob only joined the library a week agoand was over the moon to become an‘Agent’! It is so refreshing to seeenthusiasm from Jacob every time hepicks up a book to read … Fantastic ideato encourage new readers, and it’s somuch fun at the same time."Challenges in delivering 2007Challenge: The Big Wild Read• Managing the success of the Challenge– despite the huge numbers takingpart, only 10% of the eligible populationis being reached.• Increasing the percentage of childrencompleting the Challenge.Fulfilling Their Potential (theteenage strand of F4F)Teenage Reading Groups:Three teenage reading groups werelaunched at the beginning of 2006 atChorleywood, North Watford andHoddesdon libraries. The groups meetmonthly to discuss books and have alsodesigned their own publicity, createdteenage library web pages and beeninvolved in stock selection.Consultation with teenagers:We have increased consultation withteenagers via Focus Groups, informalfeedback and questionnaires eg teenagersare now involved in stock selection,disguised testing of libraries, and areconsulted on all refurbishments.TeenZone: HertsDirect web pages:Library web pages for teenagers are beingdeveloped. TeenZone has three sectionsBooks - information about favouriteauthors, new books, graphic novels, PressPLAY - information about films and CDsand Study Zone - information on howlibraries can help with homework.Out of hours study supportAll libraries provide homework support viaa range of materials, free access to studyspace and ICT facilities. Staff undergospecialist training in the use of webresources appropriate for young people.Borehamwood and Oxhey Librariesprovide additional study support to youngpeople through homework clubs, run inpartnership with the Youth Service.Other developments in servicesChatterbooks Reading GroupsThe library service organises 12Chatterbooks Reading Groups for youngpeople aged 8-12. The groups help tosustain the reading habit and buildconfidence by providing exciting themedactivities, encouragement to talk aboutbooks, opportunities to meet authors andincentives to attendStories From the WebHertfordshire Libraries subscribe to‘Stories From the Web’www.storiesfromtheweb.org, an excitinginteractive website designed to engagechildren and young people with readingand creative writing. To date, Hertfordshirechildren have had 1,186 stories andreviews published on the site.6

Section 2 - Services to Children and Young PeopleA pilot project using the site with travellerchildren has been successful and will berolled out to a further five sites in 2007.Challenges for 2007• Develop closer working opportunitiesthrough CSF with Extended Schools,Children’s Centres and VulnerableGroups• Work with Millennium volunteers andCVS to enable young people tocontribute to community cohesion andactive citizenship, eg Focus Groups.• Work with the Youth Justice Board toprovide Participative Activities forYoung People (PAYP) throughLibraries to support vulnerable and atrisk people.• Develop the Caring for Childrencollections in libraries and provide themin other community venues.• Work with the Looked After ChildrenTeam to increase support forvulnerable and at risk groups. Librarystaff are working with staff in residentialhomes to encourage use of Storiesfrom the Web.• Ensure that library staff are equippedwith the skills and knowledge to meetthe Change for Children agenda.• Plan to meet the resource needs of thediverse population of young people.• Involve young people in servicedevelopments particularly hard to reachgroups and those in rural communities.Library staff, working with HertfordshireAdult and Family Learning Service(HAFLS) and Traveller Education areworking in partnership to introduce thepleasures of reading to Travellerfamilies.• Enhance existing strong partnershipswith national and regional agencies todeliver and sustain initiatives, eg TheReading Agency, Booktrust• Maintain and develop the high nationalprofile Hertfordshire has for work withChildren, Young People and Schools.Schools Library ServiceThe Schools Library Service (SLS) alsoplays an important role, promoting thedevelopment of high quality libraries inschools through a comprehensive advisoryservice, the loan of resources for pupil useand a comprehensive training programmefor school librarians and teachers.The aims of the service are:• To enable schools to deliver thecurriculum effectively.• To develop the crucial skills which leadto confidence as independent learners.• To create a lifelong love of reading.SLS also offers curriculum support throughlong-term loans and termly projectcollections. The development of a love ofreading is supported through termly fictionclassroom packs. SLS staff work withpupils on information literacy, skills andreader development. Teachers andLibrarians are helped with stock work,policy and strategy and refurbishment. Theservice directly supports both the CSFStrategic Vision of ‘Keeping the Child atthe Centre’ and the outcomes of EveryChild Matters.SLS facts and figuresIn 2006-07, SLS had contracts with 304schools, made 433 mobile library visits,issued 126,321 projects and made 237advisory visits to schools.Young Cultural CreatorsYoung Cultural Creators is a nationalinitiative which aims to encouragecreativity by enabling young people towork with authors and illustrators inLibraries, Museums and Galleries.Hertfordshire Libraries has successfully7

Section 2 - Services to Children and Young Peoplepiloted the project at County Hall withJames Mayhew, local author and childrenfrom Chauncy and St Mary’s PrimarySchools, Ware.MECSSIn April 2007, the MECSS dual languagecollection formerly housed at the MECSSCentre in Letchworth, was amalgamatedwith the Schools Library Service collection,offering schools a wider range ofresources for loan.County Art CollectionThe County Art Collection became part ofthe Schools Library Service in May 2007,offering more viewing space and increasedopportunities to promote the collection.Developing this is a priority for 2007-08.Challenges for 2007• To implement a fundamental review ofthe Schools Library Service which willprovide an enhanced book purchaseweb-based facility with a broaderappeal to all school sectors.8

Section 3 - Information and Lifelong LearningInformation“Knowledge, skills and information arebecoming more important to our lives,economically, socially and as citizens.Libraries have a central role to play inensuring everyone has access to theresources, information and knowledge theyneed.” (Framework for the Future)Libraries have always been places wherepeople could come to find information –any information, about any subject, for anypurpose. The information revolution andthe advent of the Internet has not endedthis role but has changed it radically.Once, people came to libraries becausethey didn’t know where else to look forinformation. Now they come to librariesbecause so much information is availablethat they don’t know where to start. Thishas also changed the role of library staff,who are no longer custodians ofresources, but rather enablers andsignposters, helping enquirers to navigatetheir way through the information maze.Information facts and figuresOver 1 million information enquiries wereanswered in Hertfordshire libraries in2006-07.Information and enquiry services• All Hertfordshire libraries provideaccess to a range of electronicinformation resources, referencebooks, newspapers and periodicals.• The Central Resources Library (CRL)provides a centre of excellence forinformation. It acts as a referral pointfor more complex enquiries escalatedfrom local libraries and the CustomerService Centre as well as housing thefollowing special collections:‣ Business Information‣ Government information‣ Performing Arts• CRL also contributes to Enquire – anew national initiative to provide a free24/7 online library enquiry service,which uses ‘chat’ technology to connectenquirers directly to trained library staff.• The Local Government InformationService (LoGIS) at County Hall holdsinformation on local government topics,and provides information for HCCmembers, staff and the public.• A programme of training coveringInternet resources and enquiryhandling has been designed to equipstaff with skills to help users.The Online Reference LibraryIn addition to general access to theInternet, libraries offer free access to awide range of subscription websites via theOnline Reference Library (ORLib).Resources available through ORLibinclude dictionaries, encyclopaedias,reference books, national newspapers,journal articles, British Standards, andAncestry.co.uk – the online family historyresource.As well as ORLib being available throughlibraries, Hertfordshire Library memberscan access many of the resourcesremotely via the hertsdirect.org website.The ORLib opens up access to informationresources far more widely than was everpossible when resources were onlyavailable in printed form, and it is likely thatthe range of resources available willcontinue to expand in the future.9

Section 3 - Information and Lifelong LearningInformation PartnershipsThe Inspire Hertfordshire agreementprovides for co-operation between thepublic library service, the libraries of theUniversity of Hertfordshire and the four FEcolleges. It facilitates free public access toreference materials. A challenge in thenext year will be to build on this agreementby including health libraries to ensure thatHertfordshire residents enjoy the widestpossible access to information resources.made a huge contribution to socialinclusion by bridging the ‘digital divide’ andmaking the Internet available to everybody.Challenges for 2007-08Information LiteracyThe Internet has made information morewidely available. The library role is to helpusers to find information that is accurate,impartial and authoritative. In the comingyear the information and enquiry servicewill be reshaped:• To improve our consistency inanswering information enquiries – inperson, by phone or by e-mail.• To provide guided self-help resourcesto assist library and website users infinding the information they need.Promoting ORLibA promotion campaign for the ORLib willensure that library users are making themost of the resources available.Digital Citizenship“People who are unemployed, who lackaccess to the Internet at work and olderpeople, are amongst those currently lessinclined to experience the opportunitiesand benefits offered by online services.The library service has a vital role to playin delivering the Government’scommitment to universal access to theInternet and the provision of e-governmentservices”(Framework for the Future)The People’s NetworkThe creation of The People’s Networkproviding public Internet access in alllibraries is the most visible development inthe service in recent years. It has openedup new opportunities for library users andHitchin Library ICT SuiteAll libraries have computers for public usewith access to the Internet, MicrosoftOffice and electronic informationresources. Larger libraries have extensiveICT suites and offer additional servicessuch as scanners. All libraries aredesignated UK Online Centres.Library members can have one free hourof computer use a day. They can booksessions in advance and log on using theirlibrary card.People’s Network facts and figuresThere are now more than 470 publicaccess computers in Hertfordshirelibraries. Watford Central Library has 48computers.Library staff receive training for the ECDLqualification to enable them to supportcomputer users. In addition some staffhave undertaken more advanced ICTtraining to enable them to provideadditional support. ICT Help! Folders areprovided to guide users through basiccomputing tasks.Challenges for 2007ICT provisionDespite the big expansion in ICT provision,Hertfordshire still falls short of the PublicLibrary Service Standard to provide sixpublic access computers per 10,000population – this is largely due to theconstraints of the building stock.10

Section 3 - Information and Lifelong LearningIntroducing ChargesThe People’s Network was originallyfinanced by the National Lottery. It was acondition of funding that access should befree of charge. When this funding ceasedin 2003, it was left to local authorities toupdate, upgrade and expand the network.Charges for extended computer use will beintroduced in July 2007 to help cover theincreasing costs of this popular service. Itwill be important to introduce and promotethese charges in a way that does not deterusers, and to maintain as much selfserviceaccess as possible.WiFiA pilot project launches in 2007 to offerpublic WiFi access in six libraries. Peoplewill be able to log on to library resourcesusing their own laptops.Internet on MobilesA pilot project will be launched during theyear to provide Internet access on mobilelibraries using GPRS technology.E-GovernmentIn line with the Government strategy‘Implementing Electronic Government’,many library services are now availableonline. These include access to thecatalogue, renewals, reservations,enquiries, membership applications,computer bookings and the payment offees and charges.E-Government facts and figuresIn 2006-07 there were:• 284,288 online book renewals• 24,777 online reservations• 305,245 visits to the Libraries pages ofthe Hertsdirect.org websiteIn addition to making library servicesavailable online, the existence of thePeople’s Network ensures that allHertfordshire citizens are able to accessthe full range of e-government servicesoffered by other HCC departments. Sopeople can use their local library to reporta highway fault, request a blue badge orapply for a school place.New national initiatives such as PatientChoice, which encourages patients tocompare hospital data and bookappointments online, also stress the role oflibraries in providing universal access.Challenges for 2007Online library servicesOnline library services will be promoted tonew users and targets set to increase use.Community access pointsAs more central and local governmentservices become available electronically, itwill be increasingly important for us to workwith HCC departments, District Councilsand other partners to promote the value oflibraries as community access points to allgovernment information and services.Adult Learning“Public libraries provide a learning networkthat supports formal education but alsoextends far beyond it….The self-motivatedlearning which libraries promote is centralto the creation of a lifelong learning culturein which people expect and want to learnthroughout their lifetime”(Framework for the Future)Public libraries have always providedactive support for learning at all levelsthrough the loan of books and othermaterials, the provision of study space andfree access to information resources.These facilities have been very importantto distance learners and studentsparticipating in informal learning, who donot have access to college resources.In addition, libraries have traditionallyworked with colleges and other learningproviders to promote information aboutlearning opportunities.ICT LearningThe creation of The People’s Networkcreated a new challenge, as many userswere attracted by the new facilities but feltexcluded by their lack of experience andconfidence in the use of ICT. Libraries met11

Section 3 - Information and Lifelong Learningthis challenge by training key staff to beable to provide ICT taster sessions. Thesetaster sessions cover basic ICT skills(word processing, Internet and Email), aswell as more targeted sessions, such as‘Information for Job-seekers’ and ‘FamilyHistory on the Internet’.“Because this course is run by HCClibraries I felt there was no commercialbias – purely a helpful and educationalsession”E-LearningThe People’s Network has opened upopportunities for people to use libraries topursue distance learning and self-directede-learning opportunities, such as BBCWebwise and LearnDirect courses.Libraries have worked with HAFLS andOaklands College to develop a VirtualLearning Environment (VLE) for adult andcommunity learning that is accessiblethrough the public access computers inlibraries.ICT Learners at Watford Central LibraryLibraries, Heritage & Arts has a contractwith HAFLS for the delivery of ICTlearning, which has enabled us to widenparticipation and improve the quality of thelearning we offer.ICT learning facts and figuresIn the academic year 2005-06, 1,724 tastersessions were delivered to 1,175 individuallearners in 32 libraries.These sessions appeal particularly tolearners who have had little contact withlearning since leaving school and would beunlikely to attend formal classes. Themajority are older people, for whom theacquisition of basic computer skills is animportant aid to independent living.Evidence collected from feedback fromlearners illustrates the impact that thisprovision has had.“I am so proud of myself having completedthese courses. It has raised my selfesteem in front of my children and I havegained tremendous confidence”“The session was beyond myexpectations. I enjoyed it tremendously. Ithas given me the heart and desire tocontinue learning – I’m not as hopeless asI thought”Skills for LifeThe Government’s Skills for Life Strategyplaces the improvement of basic skills atthe centre of the adult learning agenda.Libraries support Skills for Life through:• Reading and Numbers collections in 28libraries featuring Quick Reads andother books for basic skills learners.• Participation in the Vital Link StockDevelopment scheme to identify awider range of stock suitable foremergent readers.• Skills for Life awareness training forstaff.• Forging links with learning providers torefer potential learners and toencourage basic skills classes to holdsessions in local libraries.• Promotion of online skills assessmenttools and basic skills websites such asMove On and Skillswise.BBC RaW CampaignThe BBC RaW (Reading and Writing)Campaign is a three year initiativedesigned to improve literacy skills. Alllibraries are RaW centres to support thecampaign. A range of promotionalactivities – from word quizzes to a readinggroup for emergent readers in Watford –contributed to Hertfordshire winning theBBC RaW award for the East of EnglandRegion in May 2006.12

Section 3 - Information and Lifelong LearningFamily LearningAs libraries provide services for childrenand their parents, they are well placed tocontribute to family learning. For example:• The Premier League Reading Starsproject in Watford and South Oxhey - apartnership between the library service,the Literacy Trust, and Watford FootballClub using a football theme to engagefamilies in a range of reading activities.• Libraries in Broxbourne and Hertsmerecollaborated with HAFLS and localmuseums to present ‘Storytelling for all’sessions, encouraging parents andchildren to work creatively together.• Bishops Stortford Library teamed upwith the Hertfordshire Music Service topresent a family rock jam and musicalinstrument taster sessions.Inspiring Learning for AllAll library activity supports learning insome form. Learning providers, communityorganisations, government agencies andadult learners speak warmly aboutlibraries’ contribution to adult learning.However, in a world driven by qualificationtargets it is difficult to win recognition orfunding for the informal learning andsupport that libraries provide.Hertfordshire is signed up to the MLAs‘Inspiring Learning for All’ strategy whichaims to meet this challenge by outlining aset of Generic Learning Outcomes (GLOs)against which the impact of informallearning can be analysed to illustrate thereal difference that libraries can make topeople’s lives.Challenges for 2007Music session at Bishops Stortford libraryLearning PartnershipsLibraries are actively involved in LocalLearning Forums/Partnerships in all tenDistricts, and this has given rise to a rangeof partnership activities to promotelearning and offer new opportunities:• North Herts College and West HertsCollege run regular ICT courses in locallibraries, which provide a naturalprogression route from library tasters toaccredited courses such as CLAIT.• Work Solutions have run courses inWelwyn Garden City and Stevenagelibraries to help people on benefit to getback into work.• Learning Partnerships in many districtshave produced joint publicity for AdultLearners Week to promote the fullrange of learning activities available.Working with HAFLSIn the coming year, libraries will be seekingto make the most of a closer workingrelationship with HAFLS by:• Working in partnership with museumsto roll out family storytelling sessions.• Forging closer links with Children’sCentres and Extended Schools todevelop libraries’ role in family learning.• Developing and promoting the VLE.• Extending our work to promote libraryservices and learning opportunities tothe Traveller community.Personal & Community DevelopmentLearning (PCDL) ReviewLibraries will contribute to the review ofPCDL in Hertfordshire, and will seek to usethe recommendations of this review todefine a full, appropriate and sustainablerole for libraries in lifelong learningprovision – in partnership rather than incompetition with other learning providers.13

Section 4 - Library Stock and Reader DevelopmentLibrary Stock and ReaderDevelopment“A library cannot claim to be successfulunless it has a good range of bookscarefully selected to meet the needs of itscommunity”...”The best libraries are in tunewith readers’ needs, anticipating demand,so that sufficient copies of popular booksare available when they are needed andworks which form part of our literaryheritage can always be found.”(Framework for the Future)The stock is the lifeblood of the libraryservice. It supports the mission statementand underpins and integrates the variedservices we deliver. A single item of stockmight be used by one person foreducational purposes, by another forleisure or relaxation, by another to culturallyenrich their life, or by another to meet aninformation need. The same stock may be‘packaged’ and presented in different waysto meet different user needs. It is availableto anyone who wishes to use it. Borrowingan item of library stock is still what themajority of users come to the library to do,and what most of them judge the serviceon.There is a comprehensive collection ofmaterials for the public to choose fromincluding:• Board books• Picture books• Fiction for all ages• Non-fiction for adults and children• Books in large print• Graphic novels• Foreign & community language material• Books in paperback and hardback• Spoken word recordings• Music recordings on CD• DVDs• Language courses• Support for ESOL and Life Skills• Electronic resources• Newspapers and magazines• Special collectionsDuring 2006-07 a new service, magazinesfor loan was introduces in 36 libraries. Thishas proved very popular with users and byMarch 2007 over 42,000 magazines hadbeen borrowed since the launch of theservice in July 2006.Key Facts and Figures• 1.5 million items of stock are availablefor the public to choose from.• Nearly 7 million items borrowed in 2006-07.Value for money and efficiency in thestock supply chainThe latest government report ‘Better StockBetter Libraries’ carried out by consultantsPWC for the DCMS and MLA makesrecommendations concerning the efficiencyand cost effectiveness of the stockacquisition process. Many of these arealready in place in place as the service:• Is an active participant of the CentralBuying Consortium, the largest publiclibrary purchasing consortium in the UK,which results in excellent terms from oursuppliers thus significantly increasingbuying power.• Adopted national standards for servicingof stock which reduces cost.• Already buys in significant amounts ofbibliographic data.However a work plan is being drawn up asa result of the report and all authorities willbe expected to participate in significantpieces of work in order to benchmarkacquisition activity and develop standards.14

Section 4 - Library Stock and Reader DevelopmentManaging the stockIt is vital to ensure that library stock is ofgood quality and meets the standards wehave set in terms of condition, currency andusage. Hertfordshire is a leading light instock management, having developed asystem known as ‘Total CollectionManagement’ (TCM). TCM is a system ofstock management that defines policy, setsstandards and clear procedures forselection and acquisition; maintenance;stock exploitation; stock editing and stockdisposal. It is used as an example of bestpractice nationally and has informed stockmanagement in many local authorities.The performance of the stock is constantlymonitored using a variety of performanceand quality assurance tools such as theannual stock audit. Stock targets are set foreach library based on the performance oftheir stock benchmarked against libraries ofa similar size. A stock developmentprogramme is in place to ensure that thestock is responsive to the changing needsof users. A recent example of this is thetiering of adult non fiction stock to reflectthe change in patterns of use. InHertfordshire this has stopped the declineof non-fiction issues which is beingexperienced nationally.Hertfordshire meets all the PLSS for stock.In 2004, a new measure, the ‘Stock HealthChecklist’ was introduced to enable therange and balance of fiction stock to beassessed. Hertfordshire came 23rd out of132 authorities who submitted returns:• 36 authorities held over 92% of authorsasked for. Hertfordshire held 96.8%.• 33 authorities held over 75% of allindependent press titles asked for.Hertfordshire held 88.6%.Hertfordshire maintained its “Good” ratingin 2005. The audit was not conducted in2006 but will be undertaken again in 2007.However, the service cannot afford to becomplacent and must continue thepioneering work already carried out toensure Hertfordshire retains or improves onthis current high performance.Stock presentationPresentation of the stock and displaying itin a reader friendly manner is key toencouraging borrowing and increasingusage. Public expectation is increasing andlibraries are constantly being comparedwith the retail sector. A key issue for theservice is that many library buildings andthe shelving in use do not present amodern image. This is being addressed aslibraries are being refurbished but at otherlibraries a number of initiatives whichpresent the stock in a way that encouragesuse and reflects a bookshop style approachhelp to combat this. These include:• Pulling together stock on related topicsinto categories such as travel.• Quick choice sections comprisingpopular fiction and non-fiction.• Bestsellers ‘dump bins’.• Promotions diary programme of themeddisplays.• Shelving which allows face on display.Quick Choice - Hoddesdon LibraryChallenges for 2007• Meeting increasing public expectationswithin existing resources.• Meeting the needs of users who requirebreadth and depth in the stock, but alsorequire popular titles in sufficientnumbers so they can obtain them whilstthey are still current.15

Section 4 - Library Stock and Reader Development• Addressing the reliance on income fromthe hire of audio visual stock whichforms an integral part of the budget. Thestrategy to maximise income iscontinually adjusted but, significantchanges in the availability of video andDVD, combined with other means ofobtaining films has meant a significantdrop in income with likely decreasesyear on year.• Improving provision for disadvantagedgroups. There is a huge demand forstock in a wider range of communitylanguages such as eastern Europeanlanguages and a recent consultationexercise highlighted a demand forextended provision of Urdu stock.• In 2006-07 issues were maintained at2005-06 levels against a nationalbackdrop of falling issues in publiclibraries across the UK. The LHAmarketing strategy identifies a range ofmeasures designed to increase usage.Reader development“Libraries do not just provide a store ofbooks: they help people experience andenjoy the pleasure of reading. In recentyears there has been an important shift inhow libraries view and plan their work withreading. As well as its importance as a toolfor learning, they have recognised itscreative, imaginative role in people’s lives”(Framework for the Future)The status and impact of readerdevelopment work has been greatlyenhanced by a more strategic approachfrom national agencies enabling libraryauthorities to take advantage of skills andresource sharing. In 2006-07 Frontline, alarge scale Internet e-learning programmeto further develop staff skills to carry out amore sophisticated approach to readerdevelopment was introduced. This will beone of the main focuses of the trainingprogramme for 2007-08 as it is cascaded toall staff who deal with library customers.The Service also works regionally throughReadEast, a Reader Development networkto share skills and to develop training andpromotional activities. In 2007 theReadEast conference will focus on‘Partners in Reading”. This will explorelibraries’ 21 st century reading offer and thepartnerships which help deliver it.Reading as a creative activity“52% of adults read books to relax orrelieve stress, 27% as a form of escapism,and 24% as a chance to use theimagination. Two thirds of adults and overhalf of children read books to find thingsout” (Framework for the Future)Reading as a cultural and creative activityis growing. There has been an explosion inreading groups and in Hertfordshire thenumber of groups supported by librarieshas grown from 60 to over 250 in the lastthree years. As well as providing stock forthe groups to borrow, library staff canadvise on titles for discussion enablinggroups to broaden their reading. During2006-07 reading group collections whichenable easy access to suitable titles thatare available in multiple copies wereexpanded.Libraries have been pro-active in setting upgroups and as a result readers do not feelisolated and can find other individuals withwhom they can share their readingexperiences. The service has pioneered areading group solely for people with avisual impairment. Members of the groupchoose titles to discuss which are readilyavailable on cassette and CD. Severalother reading groups have visually impairedmembers who are able to participatethrough the provision of the same titles inlarge print, cassette or CD.16

Section 4 - Library Stock and Reader Development“Reading is a private invisible activity andreaders seldom gather in the same place atthe same time. It is easy to underestimatethe place that reading has in our lives.Reading as a leisure activity is morepopular than gardening, DIY, spectatorsports events and visiting the cinema”(Social Trends)Publishers and the national media realisethe importance of this new audience forbooks evidenced by the popularity of TVbook slots, and the role libraries have toplay. As a result, libraries now have accessto major media promotions such as theBBC’s “Who do you think you are” andITV’s “Richard and Judy’s Summer Reads”,both of which are supported with displaysand multiple copies of titles. These provevery popular with the public.• “One Book for Stevenage” where thelibrary service works in partnership withStevenage Borough Council, StevenageCollege and the local Bookshop.Everyone in the town is encouraged toread the same book. The libraryprovides a focal point for this importantinitiative and staff are instrumental inselecting a title which will appeal to awide range of people. Multiple copies ofthe book are available for loan andsupporting events take place in thelibrary.• A talk to an capacity audience “Stepback in Time” took place atBorehamwood library in partnership withthe museum service to celebrate 50years of Borehamwood.• Author Kate McMahon spoke to anenthusiastic audience of 80 at WatfordCentral Library about her writing.ICT has created a whole new world ofopportunity for books and readerdevelopment, bringing together twoapparently competing areas of the service.Publishers and organisations whoadminister prizes such as the Man Bookerand the Orange prize now see the benefitsof involving libraries. Libraries supportthese promotions with displays of stock.Some of the reading groups who meet inlibraries shadow national prizes, resulting insome heated discussion and impassionedrecommendation.“Reader development starts with a respectfor the individual reading experience. Eachreader is the judge of their own best book.Reader development seeks to encouragepeople to try something different or new tothem – it’s about stretching boundaries andopening up possibilities”(Opening the Book)Events in libraries are wide ranging. Recentexamples include:Using computers in libraries, everyone inHertfordshire can access reading web sitesand participate in online activities such aslive author chats for World Book Day oronline voting for book promotions.Challenges for 2007• The Books and Reading pages on theHertsDirect web site will be developedfurther, building on the work carried outin 2006 to significantly improve the site.• A new e-newsletter, focussing on booksand reading, will be launched during2007. Taking advantage of new emailmarketing methods it will highlight titlesand services to users in a lively, populare-magazine format.• Hidden Histories, a lottery fundedinitiative to mark the bi-centenary of theact to abolish the slave trade will besupported by libraries. Activities will takeplace in October to tie in with BlackHistory month.17

Section 5 - Equalities and Social Inclusion in Service DeliveryEqualities and social inclusion inservice deliveryDeveloping a socially inclusive service isseen as the responsibility of all staff inlibraries. It is not an ‘add on’ to be deliveredby specialist staff to disadvantaged groups.Libraries are unique in that the resourcesavailable can be used by anyone - staffensure that they are the right resources andthat people know that they are theirs to use.A high priority is placed on equalitiestraining for staff. A range of training courseshave been developed, including PuttingPeople First, diversity awareness, gay andlesbian awareness, visual impairment,hearing impairment, mental healthawareness, adaptive technology andcommunity language softwareTo help with service planning, the servicecarries out community profiling andmapping exercises to ensure that resourcesare targeted appropriately. The EqualitiesAction Plan also aids service delivery.Hertfordshire was one of the first libraryauthorities, and the first department inHCC, to conduct access audits on allbuildings. As a result a comprehensiveprogramme of improvements has beendeveloped to make libraries as accessibleas possible. Some of the improvementsinclude ramps, automatic doors, lifts,improved guiding, adjustable height studytables and hearing loops at enquiry desks.To meet the needs of all members of thecommunity the library service provides:• A wide range of stock in differentlanguages tailored to the communityserved eg Hemel Hempstead Libraryhas a collection of books in Urdu.• A wide range of stock in differentformats, eg large print, spoken word.• Targeted collections of stock, eg blackand Asian writing in English, ESOL.• Community language softwareappropriate for the communities served.• Adaptive technology ICT hardware, eglarge screens, mice, keyboards.• Screen reading and magnificationsoftware for visually impaired people.• Translated leaflets and forms• Access to Language Line, a translationservice to help staff deal with users.A package of exemptions and concessionsexists to ensure that users are not excludedfrom using the library service because theyare unable to pay the charges.Equalities Facts and Figures• 844 Cassettes for Blind People Servicecustomers.• 864 Home Library Service customers.• 10 mobile libraries serving 360 stops• 3 Community Services Mobile librariesserving 229 stops.• 220 Centres receiving a depositcollection of books.Cassettes for Blind People ServiceThe service completed a major automationproject to increase efficiency. This hasresulted in a 50% reduction in the timetaken to deal with incoming post. In 2006-07 issues have also increased by 8%.18

Section 5 - Equalities and Social Inclusion in Service Deliveryscheme is in operation in other areas in thecountry and has proven to be very effective.The Library Service also undertakesconsultation work with community groups,users and non users on specific aspects ofthe service such as stock provision oraccess. This year this has included:• Urdu stock survey• Library RefurbishmentsMobile ServicesThe Mobile Services Review wasimplemented in March 2006 with theintroduction of completely revisedschedules for the entire county network.• 11 new sites have been introduced,widening access to new communities.• Average weekly travelling time acrossthe network has been reduced by 8.3%.• All stops are now at least 20 minuteslong - previously 43.5% of stops wereopen for less than this.• The service is open to the public for anaverage of 275 hours each week.In 2006/07 a two-year programme toreplace the fleet of mobile libraries withstate of the art modern vehicles wascompleted. All now have access to theLibrary computer system. A striking newlivery was designed for the mobile librarieswhich has become strongly associated witha marketing brand across the Service.Partnership workingThe Library Service works with a range ofpartners to deliver services, for examplecommunity groups, disability groups andhealth agencies. Notable examples are thecommunity volunteers who support the useof Urdu software in Dacorum, and in thelatter part of 2006-07 working with a rangeof mental health partners to deliver Bookson Prescription. GPs or other Health CareProfessionals can prescribe a self-helpbook from the local library, which will giveinformation about a patient’s condition andsuggest ways to help them manage it. TheMarketingMarketing and promotion are an integralpart of service delivery. Promotions takeaccount of the needs and interests ofparticular groups and have included BlackHistory Month, Carers’ Week, Make aNoise in Libraries Week, Cultural eventswith partner organisations, eg RavidassiaCentre in Hitchin.Equalities monitoringTo ensure that services remain relevant theLibrary Service regularly monitors the takeup of services by specific groups withcensus and other data. Use of targetedstock is measured and new service areashave clearly defined expected outcomes.Challenges for 2007• Carrying out an ambitious programme ofImpact Assessments.• Implementing the recommendations ofthe Urdu stock survey.• Producing new leaflets for targetgroups, eg bilingual communitylanguage leaflets.• Meeting the requirements of newequalities legislation including theGender Duty, in force from April 2007.• Setting local recruitment targets anddeveloping an action plan to meet thePeople Strategy to help the service builda more diverse workforce which reflectsthe profile of the local population.• Continuing the implementation of theSkills for Life strategy.• Consulting with and taking into accountthe needs of target groups as part of theL421C refurbishment process.• Marketing Books on Prescription.19

Heritage and ArtsHeritage and Arts comprises:• Hertfordshire Archives & Local Studies• County Museums Development• County Arts DevelopmentThe work of Heritage and Arts is driven bythe national and regional agendas set bythe DCMS, MLA, and the Arts Council, aswell as the County Council and localHertfordshire communities.Hertfordshire Archives and LocalStudies (HALS)“An archival heritage unlocked and madeopen to all citizens in a way which engagesthem and empowers them to use archivesfor personal, community and economicbenefit”HALS, based at County Hall in Hertford, isboth a reference library, offering access toa whole range of published materialsrelating to Hertfordshire and a record officewhose prime legal function is to act as the‘corporate memory’ of the County Counciland preserve its archives. The keygovernment strategy for archives is MLA’s‘Listening to the past, speaking to thefuture’ which sets out the vision forarchives.HCC provides an archive service as part ofHALS who are responsible for preservingthe documentary history of the county aswell as keeping County Council records.The archives also contain records frompublic bodies, the Diocese and parishes,schools, local businesses, estates,organisations and individuals. HALS is thespecialist centre for local and family historyfor the whole of Hertfordshire, coveringmany aspects of life in the County includingpeople, environment and geography.“The archive staff was the most helpful ofany I have encountered in England and Iwant to thank you again and again for yourhelp”(Visitor to HALS)Anyone can use the services at HALS forhelp with researching a family tree, thehistory of a house, the history of a town orvillage or for help with a school project. Inaddition, HALS also offers an enquiryservice for those who are unable or do notwish to carry out their own research. Basicenquiries which can be answered quicklyare dealt with free of charge.“I would like to thank you for yourinvaluable help and kindness….I am verypleased to let you know that my sister and Ihave received the ex-gratia payment fromMOD to Ex-far East prisoners of War”“The initiative and speed of response issomething I have not experiencedelsewhere in my family research”(Written enquiries)HALS Key Facts and Figures 2006-07• Over 3,000,000 documents dating from1060 to the present day• 30,000 books• 30,000 images• 10,000 maps• 200 newspaper and periodical titles• 36,531 enquiries• 13,199 documents produced• 185 learning events held• 3,621 participants in courses and events• 27,247 visits to online resourcesPreservation and ConservationHALS has three Archive Stores on differentsites, providing five miles of shelving. TheNew Archive Store (opened in 2005) canhold 291 cubic metres of records on anindividually designed mobile racking system

Section 6 - Heritage and Artsand is also equipped with state of the art airconditioning and a fire suppression system.Achievements in 2006-07:• Archive material was repackaged in newboxes to maximize the capacity of theNew Store.• Records were moved into the new storefrom HALS older strong rooms.• The old strong rooms were redecoratedand refurbished• New mobile racking was installed in twostrong rooms to create more shelving.Challenges for 2007-08:• Install an air control and handlingsystem in the Undercroft Store toimprove performance against BS 5454.• Replace air conditioning in the ROBStore and extend it to all strong rooms.• Meet the requirements of the TNAinspection and maintain designatedstatus as a place for deposit for publicrecords.• Upgrade the Conservation Room withfurniture and equipment required fordocument repair in the 21 st century.Promoting the CollectionsAchievements in 2006-07:• Hidden Talent: This HALS initiative topromote estate records through its‘Hidden Talent’ booklet and series ofposters won the Phillimore Prize in2006. It was produced with support fromthe Heritage Lottery Fund and about52,000 catalogue entries from HALSwere converted and placed on the webat www.a2a.org.uk. They are alreadygenerating enquiries from across theglobe.• ‘Town Jewels’: 166 people enjoyed arare chance to see original documentsrelating to Hertfordshire’s oldest townsat the Open Day in 2006.Town Jewels draws the crowds• Family History Open Day in Octoberbrought new visitors flooding in to learnhow to use Ancestry.com. This eventwas held in partnership withHertfordshire Family History Society.Lifelong LearningHALS also supports adult and communitylearning by offering a wide range ofopportunities including:• ICT taster sessions – the Family HistoryICT taster session package developedat HALS was selected as an example ofbest practice by the Adult LearningInspectorate.“As a novice the beginning of thesession seemed baffling, but at the endI felt more at ease and eager tocontinue”21

Section 6 - Heritage and Arts• Handling collections in conjunction withthe Museums service – objects for loan.• E-learning packages.• Courses which are very popular andalways over subscribed on the following:‣ Meet Your Ancestors: family historyfor beginners.‣ Meet Your Ancestors’ Ancestors.‣ Discovering Old Documents(beginners and advanced).‣ Discovering Maps.Case study: Victorian and Tudor DaysThemed workshops for KS2 pupils are agreat opportunity to use original documentsto find out more about the Victorians andTudors. Designed for KS2 pupils, thesedays have been delivered in partnershipwith local museums. 12 schools took part inone of the special hands-on workshops.“They were really excited about theirexperience – it was the most enthusiasticabout a school trip they’ve ever been”(Teacher from Cunningham School)“I thought history was about dead people,but it turns out they’re alive”(Year 5 pupil inspired by a Victorian Day)“The course has provided muchbackground information to follow up forpersonal and village history research”(Adult learner on MYA course)• Family Learning events• Drop in Family Advice sessions. Theseare a new venture in partnership withthe Hertfordshire Family History Society.Members of the Society volunteered tobe available at HALS to give individualhelp and advice on family history.Work with schoolsHALS can really help to bring learning aliveand the use of HALS’ resources increasesenjoyment and educational attainment.HALS supports school effectiveness andschool achievement by offering:• Class visits.• National Curriculum resource packs.Highlight of the Tudor Day - re-enacting theMuster of 1588“I had a great time at County Hall…But thebest thing was marching to Spain to have awar, it was great”(Harry, Year 3, Ickleford School, whoseclass visited for a Tudor Day)PartnershipsAchievements in 2006-07:• New Archive Accessions: With thehelp of the Victoria & Albert Museum,Friends of the National Libraries andHertfordshire Heritage Fund, HALS wasable to purchase an important collectionof 72 envelopes (1851-78) oncecontaining letters written to RosinaBulwer Lytton, of Knebworth.22

Section 6 - Heritage and ArtsHALS has no budget for acquiringarchives, so the support of partners isessential when significant collections likethis come up for sale. HALS acquired141 archive collections in 2006-07.• HLF Project to mark Bicentenary:HALS secured a grant from the HeritageLottery Fund for a project to investigatethe links between Hertfordshire people,the slave trade and abolition. HALS willbe working in partnership with libraries,museums, MECSS, Theatre Is, tourism,and BME community groups.Francis Barber, servant to Dr Johnson,who paid £300 for him to attend a schoolat Bishops Stortford from 1767 to 1772Challenges for 2007-08:• Community Hospital Project: A bid willbe submitted the Wellcome Institute, inpartnership with Hertfordshire NHSTrust, to catalogue and conservehospital records from Hill End, CellBarnes and the NHS Trust which datefrom 1899. This would make the recordsfully accessible to historians andmembers of staff of the Trust in theirwork with local communities.• Manorial Documents Register: Seekfunding to add the records of 2,056Hertfordshire manors held at HALS and57 other repositories around thecountry, dating from the 12 th to the 20 thcenturies to an electronic databasecreated by The National Archives.• Hertfordshire’s ‘Hidden Histories’:Successfully deliver the HLF project toraise awareness of Hertfordshire’s linkswith the slave trade and its abolition,promote more positive learning aboutthe slave trade and widen audienceparticipation in archives and museums.Online resourcesAchievements in 2006-07:• Stingemore Photographic Index: Astunning collection of 7,483 glass platenegatives was digitised thanks to thework of a volunteer. The photographswere taken in the early 1900s by Mr F HStingemore, a photo journalist who livedin Radlett. Covering 26 counties inEngland and Wales, this is an importantnational resource. All HertfordshireLibraries can access to it via the ORLib.• HALSPIN: the retrospective conversionof the card index containing 85,000entries to names, places and subjects inHertfordshire newspapers andperiodicals has been completed.Challenges for 2007-08:• Create global online access to all HALSdatabases and indexes via HertsDirect.• Develop online payment to meet theincreased user demand for copies ofdocuments identified via the website.• Make all new accessions andcatalogues accessible through CALM.Action for Archives 2007-08This is the key national strategy documentsetting out a vision for the future of archivesin the 21st century.Challenges for 2007-08:• Volunteers: Increase the number andeffectiveness of volunteers to meettargets for accessioning and listing ofarchive deposits.• Community Archives: Investigate thedevelopment of a community archivescountywide network on the Cambridgemodel, possibly piloting at South Oxhey.• Learning and Access: Increaseopportunities for learning at remotelocations around the county, deliveringoff-site family and local history coursesand events. Maximise opportunitiesprovided by Learning Links, FamilyLearning and Skills for Life.23

Section 6 - Heritage and ArtsMuseumsHCC does not run or directly fund anymuseum in the county but it does supportthe Hertfordshire Museums Service actingas a host and the Lead Body in partnershipwith nine of the ten Districts. The purposeof Hertfordshire Museums Partnership is topromote the interests of Museums andGalleries within Hertfordshire, raisestandards in museums and to advise themon all areas relating to their services.Another sustainable outcome is awebsite archiving all the collectedstories, images and information.• Passing Places – e-learning resourcedeveloped by Hertford Museum usingarchives and displays on the History ofTravellers in Hertfordshire to challengeattitudes and preconceptions.The Hertfordshire Museums serviceincludes a County Museums DevelopmentOfficer (CMDO), a part-time assistant to theCMDO and a Learning Officer. Financialsupport is provided through subscriptionsfrom HCC and the Districts and since 2004through the Museum Development Fundcentral government funding under thebanner of Renaissance. All additionalprojects are funded through external grants.Key facts and figures• At least 35 organisations which could bedescribed as museums in the county.• These attract 400,000 visitors a yearand over 60,000 school children.Partnership Projects• Diverse Hertfordshire Project – 2004-06 - A two year project funded by theHLF delivered by HertfordshireMuseums Service in partnership with 7museums. Outcomes include acommunity website, schools learningresources, community play, newexhibitions and oral history archives.• Access and Learning - HertfordshireMuseums has directly helped to developlearning projects between schools andmuseums in Hertfordshire.• 2 Feet 4 Feet – e-learning resourcecreated by Letchworth Museum forteachers and pupils to explore thenatural history collections on-line.• Learning Links – small grants to supportwork between museums and schools..Network GroupsThe MDO currently runs and manages twonetworking groups to support museums inHertfordshire and foster partnerships:• Hertfordshire Museums Group: open tostaff and volunteers sharing expertiseand working together on projects• Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and LutonEducation Forum: all educators inmuseums plus other organisationsincluding SLS, HALS, Family LearningTeams and Hertfordshire University.24

Section 6 - Heritage and ArtsAdvocacy and Promotion• The CMDO represents Hertfordshiremuseums at regional level eg the Forumfor Museums in the East of England.• The CMDO continues to act as arepresentative and advocate formuseums in Hertfordshire with externalorganisations and stakeholders, ie CSF,district councils, the HLF. They alsowork very closely with MLA East ofEngland and the Hub museums whounder Renaissance are in receipt ofsubstantial investment from DCMS withbenefit to museums in Hertfordshire.• The CMDO is also pro-active inpositioning museums as players withinthe delivery of local economic, socialand cultural agendas linked wherepossible to LAAs and District planningand carries out an annual benchmarkingexercise on museums in Hertfordshire tohelp provide evidence to support CPA.• Two websites are managed byHertfordshire Museums to promotemuseums. A third is currently beingdeveloped as part of the DiverseHertfordshire Project.Workforce Development• Hertfordshire Museums directly providetraining opportunities including one-dayevents and MALT (Museum, Archives,Libraries and Tourism) Tours. A total of220 volunteers and paid staff attendedthe 11 training events and 5 toursorganised last year. Many of the trainingevents are developed throughpartnerships with other agencies.• The service also acts as banker and coordinatorof Training East, a regionalmuseum training programme. A total of7 events were run last year across theregion supported by a grant from MLAEast of England.• Two volunteers/trustees were awarded agrant to attend the Museums Essentialscourse to help their museums and raisestandards.Raising Standards in MuseumsThe CMDO also has a responsibility tosupport museums in achieving the newMLA Museum Accreditation Standards.This is a national scheme for UK museumswho must meet clear basic requirements onhow they care for and document theircollections, how they are governed andmanaged, and on the information andservices they offer to their users. Aperformance indicator using MuseumAccreditation now forms part of CulturalServices Assessments for county andsingle tier local authorities.Funding advice and support givenmuseumsThe CMDO helps and advises individualmuseums in their bids for external fundingfor projects and assists museums indeveloping those projects and brokeringpartnerships. These have included:• £39,400: Project Planning Grants fromthe HLF for the British Schools, Hitchin.• £2,000: from MLA for Dacorum HeritageTrust to develop a business plan.• £10,000: from MLA to support webbased learning resource for schoolsdeveloped by Letchworth Museum.• £10,000: from MLA to develop alearning resource based on TravellersProject at Hertford Museum.Key Challenges for 2007Advocacy and Promotion• Maximising the impact of Renaissanceon Hertfordshire Museums and inparticular supporting the following:‣ Assisting in the recruitment of thenew Schools Education Officer whowill support museums inHertfordshire and Bedfordshirefunded by Luton Museums.‣ Touring exhibitions developed byLuton and Stevenage Museumsoffered free to museums.‣ Providing case studies and evidenceto demonstrate impact ofRenaissance to inform DCMSSpending Review.• Increasing the marketing of museumsthrough three websites and jointpublicity including a new EnjoyHertfordshire Museums leaflet.25

Section 6 - Heritage and Arts• Holding an event inviting Councillorsand Chief Officers to demonstrate tothem the importance of museums andheritage within the delivery of services.Research and Information• Collecting data to support museums withtheir internal reviews and aid advocacyto their core funders and stakeholders• Acting as an information disseminationservice between regional and nationalagencies and museums.Standards and Funding• Supporting the improvement of museumstandards in access and learningthrough the appointment of newLearning Officer.• Helping museums to obtain the newMLA Museum Accreditation standard.• Supporting museums to develop theirservices and take advantage of regionaland national initiatives and externalfunding opportunitiesWorkforce Development• Attracting resources and developingpartnerships to support the developmentneeds of volunteers and paid staff.• Supporting and delivering museumtraining opportunities including thecontinuation of the regional trainingprogramme, Training East.Deliver and Enable Partnerships andProjects• Maintain and develop the DiverseHertfordshire website.• Broker and develop projects betweenmuseums and a wide range ofcommunity organisations and serviceproviders. Projects include:• Family learning project aroundliteracy involving Libraries, Museumsand lead by the Family LearningTeam within CSF.• ICT project with schools usingarchive material from museums todevelop interactive trails around theirlocal town in partnership withSchools Advisory Service.• Reminiscence project working withthe library service to develop objectboxes for work with the elderly.Arts DevelopmentHCC is an enabler and supporter of the artsand is committed to using the arts acrossits services. This can be done throughdirect provision, the use of externalproviders or through officers working inpartnership across HCC or with a range ofexternal partners, particularly the districts.The two main posts in HCC supporting thiswork are the County Arts DevelopmentOfficer (CADO) and the Arts EducationDevelopment Officer. The CADO is thecounty strategic lead for the arts both withinHCC and in the county generally. Theirwork involves briefings for members,advisory work and funding applicationsupport for a wide range of individuals andorganisations including local authorityreferences for the Arts Council, supportingarts organisations in the county, dealingwith enquiries on the arts from artists, artsorganisations and the general public,developing and maintaining the arts webpages on HertsDirect, and supportingDistricts. The Arts Education DevelopmentOfficer is concerned with arts provision forchildren and young people both inside andoutside formal education. Both officers workclosely with a range of other colleagues.Green Heart PartnershipThe Green Heart Partnership (GHP) is anarts/environment three-year agreementbetween the Arts Council and all theHertfordshire local authorities, theUniversity of Hertfordshire and Lee ValleyRegional Park Authority. This is the localversion of the sub-regional Arts Council/local authority Arts Generate partnershipsand is currently regarded as the mostsuccessful of the six in the east of England.The development was led by the CADO,who sits on both the Steering and WorkingGroups. GHP is seen as being increasinglysuccessful, both in terms of what it does26

Section 6 - Heritage and Artsand in the amount of funding that it isattracting. The project is managed byLandscape and Arts Network Services(LANS), a non-profit making company.HCC is involved in the Profile strand OPENproject, a countywide project to look at thefuture use of open space. Three otherDistricts are also involved. A range of HCCofficers are involved, including the PlanningOfficer, School Access Team, as theproject may have implications for the futureuse of school grounds. As with all GHPprojects an artist is part of the officerplanning team from the beginning.HCC also contributed financially to theExposure strand of GHP. This year hasseen the first GHP Bursaries forHertfordshire artists awarded..GHP was originally intended to be a £1million project over three years but thelatest balance sheet suggests this figurewill be at least £2.5 million and possiblymore if other current projections happen.Challenges• To continue the level of activity andsuccess• To effectively advocate GHP’sachievements to date.• To secure GHP’s future by developingan exit strategy.Creativity for LifeCreative Partnerships (CP) is a DFES/DCMS initiative managed by Arts CouncilEngland. 36 CPs were set up in areas ofeconomic deprivation and social isolationwith the aim of building partnershipsbetween schools and creative facilitators.The programme will close in 2010. As partof the programme’s legacy, theGovernment is keen to roll out the CPmodel to non-CP areas including theEastern region. HCC and the Arts Councilare exploring how this could be done inHertford shire.The Hertfordshire pilot in Stevenage plansto work with 13 Stevenage schools and achildren’s centre and will run over fiveterms. Schools will work in clusters of threeor four and range of artists, artsorganisations and other creativeprofessionals such as designers. TheHertfordshire projects will focus on literacyand verbal communication, while in Essexprojects will concentrate on numeracy.There will be opportunities to roll out provedmodels of working from Essex toHertfordshire and vice versa. The project’slonger-term aim is to disseminate thebenefits from the Stevenage project toschools across the county.Creativity for Life most closely links with theEnjoyment and Achievement Outcome ofthe ECM agenda but could also link to theother five outcomes i.e. a young personwho has a positive experience of learning ismore likely to go onto further training andemployment which links to outcome 5,‘achieving economic wellbeing’.Challenges• Run a successful pilot in Stevenage• Secure funding to support an expansionof the programme and its approachUV NightclubUV Nightclub is an integrated nightclub fordisabled and able-bodied young people.Based on the Funky Flamingo Club run byCross Border Arts in Cambridgeshire, thefirst UV Nightclub took place in Hertford.100 young people turned up and the eventwas a great success, much appreciated bythe management of The Marquee whowould now like to support more suchevents.The project was initiated, funded andmanaged by a partnership of HCC and27

Section 6 - Heritage and ArtsDistrict officers. The partnership is currentlyworking on a funding application which willallow the project to develop over the nextthree years. It is envisioned that the clubswill eventually be planned and run by aworking group of young people. In themeantime, day-to-day management of thenightclubs, and the arts projects that runalongside the club, is being undertaken byActOne Artsbase, a Hertfordshire basedintegrated theatre company.UV is another notable countywidepartnership, which although unrelated insubject, is an indirect result of the jointapproach developed through Green Heart.Challenges• Achieve integration of the young people.• Make it a real night club, like any other,so the disabled young people helpinitiate and enjoy a mainstream project• Secure three-year lottery funding.Other projectsTheatreisTheatreis is the new regional BeaconCompany for Theatre for Young People,currently based in Bishop’s Stortford. Thecompany was formed from SNAP TheatreCompany. Theatreis will be working acrossthe region, but due to support from HCCwill be developing many of its projects inHertfordshire to the benefit of young peoplein the County. In addition, it will be workingin partnership with a range of national andinternational partners many of whom willhelp mentor some of the smaller performingarts organisations in Hertfordshire.Theatreis is one of the partners in theHidden Histories Abolition of Slaveryproject. They will manage the creativecontent, including writers in residence andperforming arts work-shops.Enjoy! Tourism leafletsThe CADO and County Cultural Officerhave worked closely together on a numberof projects including researching andwriting ‘Enjoy!: a cultural strategy forHertfordshire’. The Enjoy! branding hasnow been adopted by the tourism officers inthe county and a range of booklets arebeing produced, supported by funding fromEEDA. These have included market townsand a general one on the county. Othersplanned in the series include public art inHertfordshire, museums, arts inHertfordshire and one linked to the HiddenHistories project. The public art booklet willalso complement the information held onHertsDirectChallenges/plans• Turnover of Arts Development Officers.There are some excellent arts officers inthe districts who tend to be passionateabout what they do and are generallyvery creative on little resource. Turnoverof staff is often high and this can makelong term planning difficult. Most officerswork alone, but may work alongside orbe part of a variety of teams includingcommunity planning, leisure orculture/heritage. Arts officers areincreasingly good at partnershipworking. They also work to see how thearts can support their authority’sstrategic priorities.• Resource vulnerability due to nonstatutorynature of the arts. The CADO’sbudget has to cover training andexpenses. However, HCC is currentlycontributing to the partnership with theArts Council (currently going into GreenHeart); supporting theatreis and will besupporting financially, and in kind, theCreativity for Life project.• ‘Arts @ Strategic Centre’ is the selfassessmentmodel developed for thearts. Arts Council England, East wouldlike to roll it out with a small number ofauthorities in this region. Hertfordshirehas volunteered to take part and ifsuccessful, the CADO will be involved.• ‘Regional Commentaries’ weredeveloped by DCMS. This selfassessmentis voluntary and onlyaffects top tier councils. This presentssome problems with culture inHertfordshire as the districts makepossibly more cultural provision thanHCC. HCC has offered to take part andthe will be judged against a nationalbenchmark with six themes.28