The crucial impact of Norfolk’s libraries on public health, the arts and the local economy has been highlighted amid the continued fight for funding.
Promoting literacy, reducing social isolation and supporting mental health and wellbeing are all elements that have been praised as part of the national Libraries Week campaign.
Central and local government expenditure on British libraries fell by 17pc to £9,982 per 1,000 people in 2021/22, according to the most recent data from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA).
CIPFA’s annual library survey, published in March, also revealed that revenues from income sources such as overdue charges, reservation fees and grants fell by 24pc in 2021/22. This represents a decrease of £868 per 1,000 people in 2020/21 to £660 per 1,000 people in 2021/22.
Falls in investment and income have coincided with increased running costs due to high inflation, as well as an increase in service demand.
In-person library visits have increased by 68pc since the pandemic, the CIPFA survey found.
Sparking creativity
Post-Covid, local libraries are being reimagined as spaces of social interaction and entertainment to decrease isolation and make a positive difference to people's lives in rural communities.
In July, Creative Arts East launched Rekindle, a series of live events designed to reignite passion for libraries through the transformative power of the arts.
As part of a national Arts Council England project, Rekindle events will take place in Dereham, Downham Market, Gorleston, Fakenham and Mile Cross libraries until 2026. Events will include literature evenings, poetry readings, creative workshops, theatre, dance and family-friendly puppet shows.
Zoe Fletcher, community touring coordinator at Creative Arts East, said: "It's really important to celebrate our local libraries because they are one of the few free and accessible spaces that we have left in the community – and they are under threat.
"The more they can diversify and offer wider activities to their local community, the better.”
WOAH! Today was the first show of ours and @NorfolkLibs Rekindle shows!📚🔥Kicking off with @garlic_theatre Snug and Grub Catch a Bug at Fakenham Library with a fabulous sold out audience!
— Creative Arts East (@CreativArtsEast) August 2, 2023
There are two more chances to meet Snug and Grub this summer with us🔽#RekindleLibraries pic.twitter.com/13tMO6DUGP
Zoe said libraries are welcoming, inclusive spaces that offer benefits that reach those living in rural areas.
“Arts and culture – and creativity in general – has a really strong, proven impact to help people's wellbeing,” she said. “Not only does it bring enjoyment and fun to people's lives, but it also helps them think about topics in different ways and broaden their horizons.
“What better way to help people experience those wonderful benefits of arts and culture than by bringing them to this fantastic community resource that is the library?”
Economic impact
Libraries are not only hubs for cultural enjoyment. A growing body of research is demonstrating their economic value and social impact.
Public libraries in England generate value of at least £3.4bn each year, according to recent economic analysis from the University of East Anglia (UEA).
The research – published in a report titled ‘Libraries for living, and for living better’ – estimated that each of England’s 3,000 library branches typically provides £1m in value annually. This represents a return on investment of approximately six times the cost.
READ MORE: ‘Book lady’ shares love of charity shop work
For the report, commissioned by Libraries Connected, UEA economists developed a new tool that ascribes monetary value to library activities based on equivalent commercial rates, savings created for taxpayers and projected financial impacts on individuals.
Professor John Gordon, director of Creative UEA, said: “Our holistic methods demonstrate the very significant economic value of library services – even with a conservative figure. We also identify their benefits for health and wellbeing, digital inclusion and children’s literacy – and the links between them.”
Isobel Hunter, chief executive of Libraries Connected, said: “For the first time, we have rigorous academic analysis that demonstrates the far-reaching economic and social impact of libraries.
“The evidence is clear: investing in libraries brings huge returns for local communities and the public purse.”
Boosting business
Norfolk libraries are also incubators of innovation, economic growth and social mobility.
Located at the Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library, the Business and Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC) equips local people with the knowledge, skills and support needed to launch and grow their own business.
BIPC Norfolk and its network of libraries in Cromer, Great Yarmouth, King’s Lynn, Norwich, Thetford, Wroxham and Wymondham offer spaces to access information and support to develop business ideas.
It provides aspiring entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs access to market intelligence, customer insights and company data, as well as free workshops, networking events, one-to-one support and mentoring.
The British Library’s Democratising Entrepreneurship 2.0 report revealed that BIPC Norfolk, which is managed by Norfolk Library and Information Service, helped to create 390 new businesses and 99 additional jobs between April 2020 and March 2023.
It also generated £4.8m gross value added, according to the report.
READ MORE: Tributes to architect who brought Norwich’s library back from the ashes
Margaret Dewsbury, cabinet member for communities and partnerships at Norfolk County Council, said: “This British Library report underlines the importance of libraries and the diverse role they play in enhancing our communities.
“We want our libraries to be at the heart of communities for generations to come, which means adapting to provide services outside the remit of a traditional library," she added. "This includes access to digital publications such as eBooks and online magazines, support for local businesses, and help for people to get online.
“Libraries are increasingly being seen as vital community hubs, bringing people together and giving them access to the services and support they need to live better lives.
“Our plans for the next year include developing new Multi-User Community Hubs in King’s Lynn and Great Yarmouth. Working with partners, libraries are a gateway into reading, learning and wellbeing, through all 47 libraries and five mobiles across Norfolk."
Are Norfolk library services at risk?
The Public Libraries and Museums Act, passed in 1964, requires local councils to provide a comprehensive and efficient public library service.
But the Eastern Daily Press reported earlier this month that the £46.2m budget gap facing Norfolk County Council could mean cuts that put library services at risk.
Andrew Jamieson, the Conservative-controlled council's cabinet member for finance, warned that cuts could occur as a result of the need to find savings.
He said: "The reality is that £565m of savings have been budgeted for from 2011/12 to 2023/24.
"Unless a different way of local government financing comes from the prime minister, then any non-statutory services or those where the service levels are above the statutory minimum levels will need to be considered."
Much of that money is expected to be recovered from cuts to the council's budget for children's services and adult social care department, but this could also impact local libraries.
READ MORE: County Hall accused of 'neglecting' historic building
Steve Morphew, leader of the opposition Labour group, said Mr Jamieson's warning was alarming.
He said: "Non-statutory means anything there isn't a legal requirement to provide and even where there is, service levels could still be cut to the bone and creep within the law.
"Words like 'transformation, review and restructuring' often hide a reduction in service.
"Library closures are politically toxic, but don't be surprised to see rationalisation that saves money and cuts ease of access."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here