The Good Library Blog

London Library Change Programme
Phase 3: Making Transformational Change Happen
Bulletin no. 6: September 2010
Funded by Capital Ambition, LLCP (which is one strand of the wider London Cultural
Improvement Programme) is supporting boroughs to find new models library service delivery
that will both reduce costs and better meet customer needs.
Two preliminarily phases of work explored individual service efficiencies, and sharing of backoffice
functions. Building on these foundations, Capital Ambition agreed to fund phase three
of the LLCP to support boroughs to look at new models of shared service.
In July 2010, London Councils agreed to assist the programme by appointing consultants to
deliver phase 3. Using the Buying Solutions framework and competitive proposals, Mott
MacDonald, working with Eighty Twenty Insight, was appointed following assessment of
written proposals and interview.
By the end of September 2010, LLCP will offer boroughs a series of tools to inform the budget
setting period in autumn 2010 by delivering:
• a strategic options framework to enable Boroughs to validate, challenge, and develop their
strategic decision-making around their future library services;
• case studies and scenarios to support and illustrate the strategic options framework,
including financial models;
• a planning toolkit to enable Boroughs to prepare for change.
The tools and findings will be shared with Leaders and both Cabinet Members for Culture and
Finance in early October.
This phase of LLCP work is running in tandem to the new support programme for libraries,
recently announced by Culture Minister Ed Vaizey, which includes two pilots in London. We
will be working with the pilots to share learning. As this stage of LLCP work will be delivered
in early October, we expect the results will be of assistance in the development of the pilots.
The two support programme pilots in London are:
• Closer Working in South East London (Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Greenwich, Lambeth,
Lewisham, Southwark), looking at options and opportunities for improving quality and
reducing costs by working more closely together
• Joint Delivery of library services (Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea),
exploring the feasibility of sharing library services to be delivered or commissioned jointly
across borough borders.
http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/networks/lcip/londonlibrarychangeprogramme.htm.
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Phase 3:
The strategic options framework will be structured around a series of dimensions of potential
change, including:
Customer – Exploring how to reconfigure capabilities for service delivery via the different
customer channels and by considering the potential for shared services and integration with
other agencies and authorities.
Business Models – Exploring the potential benefits and implications of alternative service
delivery models which may include shared services, outsourcing or trusts.
Support – Exploring how to reconfigure the provision of specialist services, library support
services, and general support services by considering workforce, business processes and the
implications for the enabling ICT infrastructure including virtualisation.
Technology Infrastructure – (i) Exploring strategic options for library ICT infrastructure and
applications which meet the requirements of customer and support services, e.g. CRM and
ERP platforms; and (ii) Exploring specialised technology options which contribute towards
cost reduction and potentially add value to the customer experience and staff ways of
working.
With thirty three boroughs, operating on different corporate and library systems and individual
contract timelines, this is inevitably an extremely complex programme. It is crucial to plan
carefully and not lose the best of what exists, and recognise individual borough requirements
and the way libraries integrate within wider corporate priorities and services in each borough.
Timescales
August - September:
􀁺 Contractor works with LLCP board and boroughs to develop draft costed business
models.
October
􀁺 Capital Ambition reviews progress
􀁺 London Councils Forum of Elected Members discuss options
October to March
Subject to decisions by Elected Members and Capital Ambition LLCP board will ask
contractor to work up detailed models and action plan for implementation by boroughs from
April 2011.
Who is accountable for the programme
The LLCP board is accountable to the Shared Services and Joint Procurement Board of
Capital Ambition. Its members are Andrew Holden, MLA (Chair); Paul Martin (CEO, LB
Sutton), Myfanwy Barrett (Director of Resources, LB Harrow); Mike Clarke (President, London
Libraries and Head of Libraries, LB Camden); David Ruse (Director of Libraries, City of
Westminster); Diana Edmonds (Head of Culture, LB Haringey); David Pearson (Director of
Libraries, City of London); Ted Rogers (London Libraries Consortium and Head of Libraries,
LB Hackney); Caroline Stanger (ex officio, Capital Ambition). Cabinet Members for Libraries
are shortly to be nominated through London Councils following the local elections in May.