The Business Centre at The Hive

Laura Worsfold

Business Development Manager The Hive

2nd October 2014

The first integrated Public and University Library

Background

• Expansion of University of Worcester &

need for new campus

• Public Library looking for new premises

• Archaeology outgrowing current facility

• Growing shared Customer Contact Centre

• Record Office outgrown facilities and

desire to merge public branches

A £64m PFI project

Introduction Some basic facts about the Hive… • Partnership project and service between the

University of Worcester and Worcestershire County Council

• Houses not just the library, but Archives and Archaeology Service, plus WCC Hub

• Library service combined to support University

members and the public • Jointly managed and governed by UW and WCC

……

• Library element consists of dedicated ‘front of house’ team (cross organisation) and library subject enquiries second tier (UW librarians)

• Support services integral to service include IT Support and facilities management

• Hive has 5 levels open to all users, roughly 250,000 books and 250 PCs

• Library services provided online include many 1000s of titles, digitisation service, online enquiries…

……

• Inspiration • Connection • Aspiration • Learning • Integration • Inclusivity • Enduring values • Well-being • Sustainability • Visibility

10 Key Principles

“A destination in itself. The building should inspire, excite and welcome, but not intimidate through a sense of grandeur or self-

importance.” WLHC Design Statement 2007

Statistics

• 2,027,878 visits

• 2,592 daily average visit

• 2,148,862 issues

• 31, 258 new members

• Annual trend consistent

• 5000 school children have visited in 2 years

The Business Centre

The Business Centre

• 8 Meeting rooms

• Network and business lounge

• Studio theatre

• State of the art technology (supported by

on-site technician)

The Business Centre

• Resources – the Donut

• Databases; COBRA, Business Source Premier

• Books, journals, research

The Business Centre

• Partners: Worcestershire Business Central, University of Worcester Business School, Chamber of Commerce, Institute of Directors, Worcester BID

• Steering Group & Enterprise Plan

The Business Centre

• Internship

• Events & Activities

o Breakfasts

o Courses/seminars

o Events –

Tour of Britain

Evaluating Impact

• SROI initial study

• Hive Impact Study

• Future developments

A truly integrated library

The Hive www.thehiveworcester.org

Laura Worsfold

Business Development Manager

lworsfold@worcestershire.gov.uk