As we look forward to service delivery in 2025 and 2026, we do so with a level of determination and confidence that we have never felt before. We are proud of our library service and excited to announce that our ambitious strategy for the next ten years is now being delivered. Library services remain at the heart of our communities, providing essential support during challenging times and offering new opportunities through a variety of initiatives, events, activities, and innovative technologies.
As we look to the future of Dorset’s libraries, we are committed to meeting the evolving needs of our customers and communities. We invite you to explore our progress report, which summarises our achievements thus far and outlines the next steps in our journey.
The Dorset Council Library Strategy was co-designed with our communities, stakeholders and colleagues through two phases of public consultation in 2021-2023.
We received over 12,500 responses, enabling us to create a clear mission and strategic themes, that achieved over 90% approval.
The strategy provides a framework for delivering and developing services in line with the needs of our communities and Dorset Council’s strategic priorities.
It is supported by a service level action plan which reflects the priorities presented in these slides.
Trusted community spaces for everyone, with services to inspire your future.
To Inspire, Connect and Enable our communities through our services.
Inspire: Enriching lives through universal access to information, knowledge, learning literacy and culture. Inspiring and supporting people, learning, businesses and the response to climate change.
Connect: To connect with and meet the needs of our communities by linking people together with each other and with services from libraries, Dorset Council and partners
Enable - our communities: To create welcoming library buildings which are accessible, inclusive spaces for our communities to share and use in many ways.
Enable - our library teams: To invest in the development of our workforce and volunteers to deliver services that meet current and future community needs and customer expectations.
This year the service has navigated unprecedented change. We transformed our operating model, introduced new opening hours and implemented a new library management system. We have supported both colleagues and customers and have overcome challenges while embodying our organisational values of Respect, Openness, Together, Accountability, Curiosity and our service value of adaptability.
Alongside managing these consecutive change processes, we have continued to deliver a relevant and engaging service, making a significant impact in our communities.
As we look forward to service delivery in 2025-26, we do so with a level of determination and confidence that we have never felt before.
The library service monitors the following key performance measures and during this year we had:
*366 people surveyed during 2024/25
Alongside performance measures we also track progress through cumulative RAG rating of delivery plan actions:
| Objectives or Themes | Inspire | Connect | Enable: our communities | Enable: our library teams |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aims | Support language, literacy and reading for pleasure for everyone | Customers and partners are aware of everything the library service has to offer | Create inviting, flexible, well used spaces | Each employee feels valued and empowered, with career opportunities in the library service and Dorset Council |
| Aims | Host and deliver events & activities to inspire cultural connection and new experiences | Our service is designed to meet customer needs and supports community connection | Provide safe trusted spaces | Flexible resourcing across our library network, allows employees to develop a range of skills and experience |
| Aims | Support people to develop digital skills removing digital barriers and building confidence | Local libraries thrive as part of a coordinated network of libraries including Dorset’s Community Managed Libraries | Sustainable buildings which keep pace with community growth | We offer inclusive routes to employment and development opportunities via apprenticeship programmes |
| Aims | Support an innovative and thriving macro and Small Medium Enterprise business network | Our open and inclusive service will ensure access is barrier free | Library services form part of community hubs | We have a strong partnership with, and wholly value the contribution of, our volunteers to the library service. We have a framework in place for supporting future partnerships to build on their success |
| Aims | Inspire, inform and facilitate climate and ecologically positive actions and decisions | Libraries are at the heart of delivering council services to communities, acting as the council’s front door | Provide space where customers can connect with health and wellbeing opportunities | We have a strong partnership with, and wholly value the contribution of, our volunteers to the library service. We have a framework in place for supporting future partnerships to build on their success |
Aim: Support language, literacy and reading for pleasure for everyone through lifelong learning; acquiring knowledge; developing skills and pursuing personal goals
Encourage development of new skills and promote the learning opportunities in Dorset
Encourage development of new skills and promote the learning opportunities in Dorset
Host and promote partners and events that improve literacy and STEM education in Dorset
Host and promote partners and events that improve literacy and STEM education in Dorset
Ensure the library collections meet customer needs
Ensure the library collections meet customer needs
Six Dorset libraries piloted "Ready for School" sessions during the summer holidays to prepare children for school with engaging activities.
The sessions, following a "Library Gets Lively" format, included 45 minutes of songs, stories, and crafts centred around various themes.
Funding from Children’s Services and the Local Alliance Group in Purbeck provided "Ready for School" bags for each child.
Collaboration with Local Alliance Group contacts, Best Start in Life advisors, family workers, and early years settings led to:
An evaluation survey showed that 70% of families felt the sessions boosted their child's confidence about starting school.
Family Worker at Dorchester: "As a school readiness project, I have nothing but praise. It perfectly replicated what they might expect at school. I also noticed a great deal of progress in cutting skills from the start of the course to the end!“
Parent: "Every week she looked forward to going. The activities were great, she loved being able to take home something that she had made and proudly showed everyone. She became more and more confident each week and met some other children going to her school too, which has helped her to know a few familiar faces on her first few days."
Aim: Host and deliver events & activities to inspire cultural connection and new experiences
Events and activities programme which meets communities needs
Events and activities programme which meets communities needs
Create cultural opportunities in Dorset, contributing to the Dorset Cultural Strategy
Create cultural opportunities in Dorset, contributing to the Dorset Cultural Strategy
Aim: Support people to develop digital skills, removing digital barriers and building confidence
Promote the development of digital skills for people of all ages, ensuring digital inclusion for everyone
Promote the development of digital skills for people of all ages, ensuring digital inclusion for everyone
Improve digital provision at libraries
Improve digital provision at libraries
In 2023, Dorset Library Service launched an iPad loan scheme with 30 iPads to reduce isolation, enhance digital inclusion and to improve health, wellbeing, and employment levels. In 2024 funding was obtained from the Cost of Living fund to provide an additional 10 iPads.
The iPads come with data for free internet access, a keyboard case, and a stereo headset for online interviews and consultations. They are user-friendly and preloaded with links to websites on employment, CV writing, interview skills, benefits, and Universal Credit claims. The loan period is 6 weeks.
Users are encouraged to book 1-2-1 support sessions with the Digital Champions network, a group of volunteers skilled at explaining technology without jargon. Library staff are also available to assist and continuously update their digital skills.
"The iPad has been a great help in keeping up to date on jobs, accommodation, and just trying to get my life back on track."
"I have made good progress, managing to do CVs, cover letters, and disclosures on the iPad, which has helped."
"This allowed me to keep the job I have."
"I borrowed the iPad to complete online training for a volunteer role, which I can now start, so that has been successful.”
Aim: Support an innovative and thriving Micro and Small, Medium Enterprise business network
Aim: Inspire, inform and facilitate climate and ecologically positive actions and decisions
Support and facilitate partners that promote climate and ecology positive actions and role model behaviour change - reduce, reuse, recycle
Support and facilitate partners that promote climate and ecology positive actions and role model behaviour change - reduce, reuse, recycle
Aim: Residents and partners are aware of everything the library service has to offer
Our service is designed to meet customer needs and supports community connection
Our service is designed to meet customer needs and supports community connection
Local libraries thrive as part of a co-ordinated network of libraries including Dorset’s community managed libraries
Local libraries thrive as part of a co-ordinated network of libraries including Dorset’s community managed libraries
Aim: Our open and inclusive service will ensure access is barrier free.
Aim: Libraries are at the heart of delivering council services to communities acting as the council’s front door.
Create inviting, flexible well used spaces
Provide safe trusted spaces
Sustainable buildings which keep pace with community growth
Library services form part of community hubs
Create inviting, flexible well used spaces
Provide safe trusted spaces
Sustainable buildings which keep pace with community growth
Library services form part of community hubs
Aims: provide space where residents can connect with health and wellbeing opportunities
In 2024, Dorset Library Service received £310,000 from the Central Government's Libraries Improvement Fund to enhance four sites: Verwood, Sturminster Newton, Sherborne, and Gillingham.
The investment focuses on installing Extended Access technology at all four sites, enabling library members to use facilities beyond staffed hours. During Extended Access, customers can:
Additionally, the funding will increase the number of digital devices available for borrowing across the library network.
This project aims to enhance accessibility and digital inclusion for the community, ensuring that library services are available to more people, more often.
"This is a fantastic resource for the town. Now I can access at my convenience, meet people and pop in when I'm passing. I am delighted!"
Aims:
