Inspiring Libraries: My Place

Hertfordshire Libraries Strategy 2022-32

Libraries are your place to:

connect
explore innovative technology
experience reading, art and culture
discover information and learning
improve health and wellbeing.

My place to connect

Our ambition is:

to provide a network of vibrant modern libraries that are destination venues welcoming the whole community
to enable opportunities for making real-world, social connections with other people, services, organisations and businesses.

We will:

give people opportunities to shape the services on offer and to actively participate
ensure our libraries are as diverse and inclusive as our communities
seek opportunities to reprovide libraries that are not well located or suitable for delivering a vibrant modern service
support small businesses in the community.

Which will:

build a strong sense of local identity and community pride
ensure that people feel valued and that they belong here
build positive networks that combat loneliness
contribute to local economic growth.

My place to explore innovative technology

Our ambition:

to continue with investment in technology to connect, support, engage and inspire people of all ages
to ensure our technology remains current and meets the needs of our communities
to find sustainable solutions to our technology offer.

We will:

provide self-service access to our libraries outside core opening hours using swipe card technology
extend our online offer, ensuring it can be accessed any time, from anywhere on any device
provide digital devices for loan in addition to 1:1 and group support
develop and expand our CreatorSpaces and CreatorSpace Out of the Box programmes.

Which will:

make it easier and more convenient to access our services
give everyone the opportunity to experience emerging technologies
increase digital skills and confidence so that no-one gets left behind.

My place to experience reading, art and culture

Our ambition:

to make our libraries local cultural destination venues on the high street
to extend our programme of events and increase our audiences, making best use of flexible spaces and online platforms.

We will:

deliver an exciting and eclectic programme of events throughout the year which appeals to diverse audiences of all ages
secure external funding to continually extend and develop our programme
build excellent partnerships with other creative organisations to increase opportunities for everyone.

Which will:

inspire individuals to discover and explore their own creativity
support the creative industries in Hertfordshire
showcase and nurture local talent.

My place to discover information and learning

Our ambition:

to use our professional skills and trusted resources to help everyone find the accurate information they need
to be recognised sources of support for small businesses and entrepreneurs in our community
to become a premier community venue for learning for all ages.

We will:

provide easy access to advice, expertise and business resources
provide tech-enabled spaces to suit a range of learning styles for both collaborative and individual learning
offer a range of learning opportunities for all ages and abilities by working with partners and other learning providers.

Which will:

improve opportunities for everyone to achieve their learning ambitions
contribute to improving educational attainment
enable small businesses to flourish and the local economy to grow.

My place to improve health and wellbeing

Our ambition:

to be the starting point for everyone wanting to actively improve their well-being and to reduce loneliness.

We will:

connect with health professionals and organisations
develop strong and innovative social prescribing partnerships that take a holistic approach to managing well-being
provide signposts to trusted sources of health information
use our unique position in the heart of communities to reach target audiences.

Which will:

prevent more expensive long-term care by enabling positive early interventions
help people to live better lives for longer.

Investing in our staff and volunteers

Investing in our volunteers – to ensure libraries are a great place to volunteer we will:

welcome people who enjoy actively participating in their local community
provide opportunities to gain valuable work experience
offer a range of volunteering roles to appeal to all ages from all backgrounds
provide training and ongoing support for all our volunteers, both face to face and online
recognise the valuable contribution that our dedicated volunteers make to our services.

Read the full Inspiring Libraries: My Place strategy (PDF, 2MB)

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Inspiring Libraries: My Place

Inspiring Libraries: My Place

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