WORKSHOP

Prosperity catalysts: Libraries making an impact on the economic agenda

Thu 27 June 2013 The REC Centre, Towcester Road, Far Cotton, Northampton NN4 8LG

An intensive one-day workshop for public library services seeking to support access to employment and business opportunities – by building on their social capital as a trusted place at the heart of the community

Who is this workshop for? For anyone who is involved in re-shaping and positioning public library services to ensure they are relevant to the communities they serve. Please note that spaces are limited to ensure the workshop is interactive and focused on the learning objectives.

Programme outline: - The economic agenda - Mapping the partners - Meeting the partners - Getting internal buy-in - Shaping & promoting the offer - Measuring impact

By the end of the day participants will have increased their understanding of: - How to re-orientate library service offer to support

enterprise and employability - Key partners: who they are are, their priorities and

how these match the library assets - How this all works in practice for Northamptonshire

libraries

Why Northamptonshire libraries? We won the 2013 EDGE award in the ‘social innovation’ category, for our work supporting employment and enterprise through libraries. In the words of the award judges: “With ‘Enterprise Hubs’ Northamptonshire Libraries offer a successful, holistic business support network designed to help local people with a mind to starting their own business. The ‘Hubs’ are providing people – women returners, over-50s, and young people – with the tools they need to get better jobs, better lives. ... Strong partnership working is a key feature, and case studies testify to the success of the ‘Hubs’ “ Who will lead the workshop? The workshop will be led by Barbara Leigh (Principal Librarian) and Carl Dorney (Central Library Manager). As members of our senior management team, they lead on our award-winning work on the economic agenda. They also have substantial experience in training, coaching and service development.

Barbara Leigh, Principal Librarian Northampton / Wellingborough Area

Barbara has worked in a library environment throughout her career, and has substantial experience in public, academic, and specialist libraries – especially about frontline leadership: she was a library manager at 19. As Principal Librarian for the Northampton and Wellingborough Area, Barbara leads the Business and Work programme, supporting job seekers and entrepreneurs, with the added innovation of business ‘hatcheries’ at Wellingborough Library.

Barbara also leads on the development and delivery of quality customer service standards across the service. She introduced ‘lean thinking’ in our libraries, forming and leading a ‘lean thinking team’ that has saved £60,000 to date. Barbara has coached and mentored staff extensively throughout her career, and is currently in the final stages of attaining the CIPD ‘Certificate in Learning and Development Practice’ Carl Dorney, Northamptonshire Central Library Manager

Carl delivered the £200k transformation project of this flagship library – Northamptonshire’s busiest – to create a ‘Learner Friendly environment’ and a ‘Discover centre’ in 2011, and is currently working on the restoration of the historic Carnegie Room as a community performance facility. Carl also has county-wide leadership responsibilities, including managing our Enterprise Hubs and the relationship with the key partners.

Carl has a track record of leading staff during times of significant change, and is responsible for staff learning, development and skills. This builds on his experience recruiting, developing and managing over 30 staff and volunteers in a busy central library. Event cost: £225 (includes materials, refreshments and lunch)

For all enquiries related to this event please contact:

Jorge Solis Principal Librarian - Transformation 01604 366162 jsolis@northamptonshire.gov.uk

Twitter: @enterpriselibs Website: www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/enterpriselibs