PROPOSED CAMBRIDGE LIBRARY ENTERPRISE CENTRE

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1 PROPOSED CAMBRIDGE LIBRARY ENTERPRISE CENTRE

2 Introduction and background The County Council is proposing to introduce an Enterprise Centre on the third floor of Cambridge Central Library. This would be somewhere where people can come to learn new skills, get help and inspiration, and meet with others to explore their business ideas and employment prospects. It would expand on the learning, careers and youth services already available on the third floor. We are proposing to work with a commercial partner to deliver this new service, as they would bring business expertise, knowledge and global connections which we don t have ourselves. As well as the free services, a range of charges for added-value services would bring a significant and vital new income stream that will help to ensure a sustainable future of the library service. At the same time we are looking to make some other improvements to library including making the popular children s library larger, creating a new space for young adults, introducing tablet technologies and replacing worn furniture and décor. It is possible that a more dementia friendly environment could also be achieved if flooring can be replaced. The layout plans on display are indicative of how the library might be reconfigured, and these will be subject to further more detailed public consultation if Council Members agree to proceed with this project. The creation of Enterprise Centres, beginning with Cambridge Central Library, to support individual employment prospects and the growth of small local businesses is specifically mentioned in the Library Service Strategy, launched January 2015.

3 Library Service Strategy The creation of Enterprise Centres, beginning with Cambridge Central Library, to support individual employment prospects and the growth of small local businesses We will work with others to increase our support for people to build their skills and employability Libraries are places where networks of people can come together to support each other to solve a problem or to grow an enterprise or cultural project Libraries are places where communities run a wide range of activities which promote social and economic wellbeing, good mental and physical health, and literacy and lifelong learning

4 Aims of the proposal To support and encourage local economic growth To generate a substantial new income stream to meet challenging financial targets over the next three year and beyond Bring enhanced services to Cambridgeshire citizens e.g. students, young people and adult career changers, those returning to work or growing their business, entrepreneurs, start-ups, corporations, individuals and groups Enhance other aspects of Central Library Maximising the use of our assets

5 Proposed first floor layout

6 Proposed second floor layout

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8 Design concepts and furniture Third floor concepts Furniture ideas (first/second floor) Hawkins/Brown 2015 Hawkins/Brown 2015

9 FAQs Why are you privatising the third floor of the library? We are not privatising the third floor. The whole library will remain the County Council s and under our control. We are seeking to work with a partner to deliver services and they would manage around 60% of the third floor on our behalf. About half of that area would be free to use or accommodate services that are already chargeable (such as meeting rooms and coffee bar) so only 30% of the third floor would be for new chargeable services. If for any reason the Enterprise Centre is not successful, the Council can break the contract after 5 years. The Council is facing an unprecedented financial challenge and needs to save 119M over the next five years. The income generated by the Enterprise Centre would contribute to the Library Service savings of more than 1.8M and could help to sustain a number of libraries, if it is as successful as we expect it to be. Without the income from the Enterprise Centre, other library services would need to be cut to meet the savings requirements. Why didn t the Council consult the public earlier about these proposals? A consultation on the layout of the library has always been planned once the principle of an Enterprise Centre was established. This will be over six weeks and will give the public and stakeholders a real chance to influence the shape of the library service and the Enterprise Centre. The proposal for enterprise centres in libraries to support business start-ups and generate income has also been in the Council s Business Plans for the last two years. The current one can be viewed here: An enterprise centre in Central Library is also specifically mentioned in the Library Service Strategy that was agreed and launched in January 2015 and is currently being consulted on until 10th May. Please let us know what you think by completing the online consultation ( or by completing a consultation leaflet. The Council has been negotiating for some time with a potential commercial partner called Kora, who are part of the Regus Group. Given the commercial nature of these discussions and complicated lease discussions related to the site and the need for due diligence with the proposals, it was considered best not to share the details widely as they were developing. No final decisions have yet been taken and so this consultation, with the associated rationale for and details of the proposal gives an opportunity to make your views known on the proposals.

10 FAQs Why are you proposing an Enterprise Centre? The way people work and live is changing and the Central Library is responding to this. 11% of the workforce in Cambridgeshire is now self-employed which is an increase from 40,100 to 50,800 in the 18 months prior to September Small businesses account for 68% of the total local business population. The public library is the ideal place to support individuals into employment and help start-ups and entrepreneurs with a place to network, share ideas and seek the right information. for their needs. The British Library in London ( has been operating a Business Centre since 2006 and has been used by 350,000 individuals; in surveys, 84% of them said their success would not have been possible without the library s support. 1Office for National Statistics data What would happen to the stock? Stock at Central Library is part of the county-wide stock of over 1 million items available to borrow, reserve and collect. It is anticipated that 95% of the stock will remain, though stock is constantly managed to reflect customer demand e.g. last year we ran a report that revealed that 22% of adult non-fiction was not being used at the Central Library so we have been able to withdraw some unused titles. We think this is because more people are choosing to use our online resources for information. Stock can also be relocated to other branches if it is better used elsewhere. By managing stock in this way, we do not anticipate that the introduction of the Enterprise Centre would adversely affect the ability to borrow books that people want. There would still be stock on the third floor (business, careers and job-seeking guides as well as the Local Studies collection) and more intensive use of the space on the second floor, whilst ensuring light levels and access remain within national library guidelines. What would happen to the Cambridgeshire Collection? This will remain in its current location on the third floor for the time being. Completely separate from this project, the Council is developing a new Archive Centre in Ely, which is scheduled for summer 2016 and it is currently proposed that, when that is completed, the Cambridgeshire Collection will move there. The Cambridgeshire Collection is countywide in its scope and bringing these resources together with the County Archives under one roof would make for a better and more efficient service. We will be retaining a collection of books about Cambridge and the local area at Central Library, in the same way that all libraries have a local collection. This move is planned irrespective of proposals for the Enterprise Centre and will be subject to separate public consultation.

11 FAQs What would happen to all the public study space at Central Library? Originally we estimated a reduction in study spaces, but responding to recent comments we believe that with some reconfiguration to the current plans, we can accommodate the same number of study spaces for use on a first come first served basis plus the option to book a study space on the third floor at reasonable rates of hire. There is also casual seating available in the library, potential for seasonal use of the stage area on the third floor, as well as 5 other branch libraries across the city. that offer free study space. Would there be as many public PCs available? Yes. There are 53 PCs available at the moment, and at the moment we plan to accommodate them all in the remodelled library. We would also like to upgrade the current kiosks, replacing them with tablet technology and improving access to the catalogue and information, potentially increasing the number of IT points in the Library. We are interested to hear your views about the mix and balance between fixed PCs and casual WiFi use areas. Would there be any refreshments available in the library? Yes, we understand the need for refreshments in the library as a place for people to meet, read and relax. The current café has not been profitable and has not contributed financially towards the library service; a new style coffee bar with snacks and drinks on the third floor would be part of the Enterprise Centre that is open to all. Could anyone join the Kora Enterprise Centre that is proposed? Yes.

12 FAQs What would happen to the BFI Mediatheque?. We have been working with the British Film Institute who want to redevelop this service. Cambridgeshire Libraries will remain a key partner with the BFI and hope that Central Library will be one of the first to host their new model, which is likely to be access from any PC in the library. This could improve access to the BFI resources. We have started to consider high-backed sofas for secluded viewing, but would be interested in your comments to help us shape this service. Could I still use the meeting rooms at Central? Yes, there would still be a range of meeting rooms for hire as they are at present. Early discussions confirm that there would be a choice of community and commercial rates. Final rates have not yet been established so we are not able to publish them, but we will be seeking to secure comparable rates to now for community uses. How much would it cost to use the Enterprise Centre? The Enterprise Centre would host a number of free to attend sessions. For the charged space, indicative initial prices (as advertised on the Kora website ( range from about 5 per person per hour in a meeting room, coworking space from 10 per person a day and membership which includes attendance at a number of events from 50 per month.

13 Outline plan following relevant approval 6 weeks further consultation prior to signing a contractual agreement Temporary move of Learning Centre 8 week closure of third floor 2 weeks closure of the first floor Library re-opens Management Agreement signed 3 month lead-in time for works e.g. order furniture, IT equipment 3 week closure of second floor 2 weeks total closure of the library

14 Further information and your feedback Previous council meeting agendas and minutes available online: Highways and Community Infrastructure Committee - 20 January 2015 Highways and Community Infrastructure Committee - 17 March 2015 General Purposes Committee - 14 April 2015 Further information on the Library Strategy is available online. Please complete the online questionnaire. Or Please complete and return the leaflet