Agenda item

The Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental Services submits a presentation highlighting Neighbourhood Services digital offer at neighbourhood buildings.

Members of the Commission are recommended to receive the presentation and pass any comments to the Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental Services for consideration.

The Director of Neighbourhoods and Environmental Services delivered a presentation updating the Commission on the Service’s digital offer at Neighbourhood Services buildings.

The presentation outlined the Council’s Neighbourhood Service’s community and library services to people that lived and worked in Leicester.

It was noted that different venues had different uses depending on the facilities available. Customer surveys carried out had helped build a rich database on the range of demographics that use the facilities.

During the discussions Members of the Commission raised their concerns with the reduction of opening hours at the newly refurbished Highfields Library. It was noted that there were no actual reduction in hours, rather the library opened an hour earlier as requested and closed an hour earlier at the end of the day. This was something that was being trialled and could be reversed. It was also noted that particular facilities around the city had remote access where ward councillors could benefit when a premises officer was not on duty.

Members of the Commission asked whether there were still printing cost to service users across the city’s libraries. It was noted that the 20 pence printing cost was to recover the cost of print cartridges.

Members were concerned with the safety of the users at the libraries on computers, it was suggested that it would be useful if a pop-up message appeared when logging into the system to inform vulnerable users and to provide parents with information booklets, who have children that use the facilities. Officers noted that in terms of security, it was something that could be looked into to support campaigns. Although the service were unable to deliver a warning message it was something that could be developed. Filters were in place so that not all sites could be accessed, and parents had a level of responsibility as they were given a letter once a child had registered.

Members of the Commission were pleased with and congratulated the team for the range of facilities provided at St Barnabas Library in North Evington. Members requested that a poster or signage be used to keep people informed on what services are on offer at the library.

Following the recent passing of Councillor Jean Khote who was the Chair of the Commission and the local Ward Councillor for the North Evington area, Members of the Commission suggested that the carpets at the St Barnabas Library were in need of refurbishment. It was something that the former Councillor had been campaigning for and would be a tribute to her efforts in the community that she will be missed in.

It was noted that the Digital Skills Enrolment was only available at locations where there was a demand for it and that courses did rotate from one location to another. The Life in Britain course was still available at Libraries for free and had been supported for over 10 years.

AGREED:

1)    That the Commission supports and praises the investment into new computers and upgrading of digital services in libraries;

2)    And that, the presentation be noted.