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Brian Gambles Assistant Director, Culture, Birmingham City Council San Antonio, May 2010 Library: Powerhouse of the Knowledge Economy

Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

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Birmingham (UK) Public Library anchors city center redeveloment - Job creation, culture and learning, “the city’s living room”: Birmingham has selected the new Library of Birmingham as central to the city’s renewal. The Library of Birmingham development is a flagship project of the Big City Plan, focusing on the regeneration of the city, the most far-reaching city center development project ever undertaken in the United Kingdom. The Big City Plan will drive forward the next 20 years of development in central Birmingham.

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Page 1: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

Brian GamblesAssistant Director, Culture, Birmingham City Council

San Antonio, May 2010

Library: Powerhouse of the Knowledge Economy

Page 2: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

The City of Birmingham

• No coastline• No rivers• No natural

resources• UK Second City• Central Location• People

Page 3: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

Birmingham Birthplace of the Industrial Revolution Known as the ‘city of a thousand trades’

                                                                                    

                                                               

Page 4: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

Green Birmingham

More parks and open spaces than any other UK city – over 32.4 square kilometers 

More miles of canals than Venice

More trees than Paris

Page 5: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

Birmingham

Dvorak

• “I’m here in this immense industrial city where they make knives, scissors, springs, files…and music too. Its terrifying how much the people here manage to achieve”

Bill Clinton

• I was astonished at the G8 [summit] when I saw how beautiful it was, the buildings, the art, the use of water. It’s an extraordinary jewel of a city

Page 6: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

Birmingham - People 1 million citizens (city-region 5.3m) 30%+ from ethnic minority communities

50 languages spoken in the city

37% under 25 – ‘the youngest city in Europe’

510,000 people employed in the city

Page 7: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

But ...

• 30% lone parents (UK average 22%)• 10% in overcrowded accommodation (average

7%)• 12.7% unemployment (UK average 5.8%)

• 27% are 16 – 24 yrs• 15% have never worked • Highest wards of city @ 29.5% unemployment

• 37% 16 – 74 year olds have no qualifications• 20%+ adults functionally illiterate• 11% ‘not in good health’

Page 8: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

Birmingham Economy• Manufacturing

– Concentrated in automotive and metal goods– Locked into mature markets– Continuing decline in output and employment

• Technology-based strategy for the future– Centre for R&D and hi-tech manufacturing– Entrepreneurial culture– More highly skilled workforce

• Finance & business services– Attractive relocation– Graduate retention

• Tourism and visitor economy

Page 9: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

Birmingham Priorities• Succeed economically

– Worklessness– Skills– Entrepreneurial talent

• Be Healthy– Choose healthy lifestyles– Improvements for the least healthy

• Enjoy a high quality of life– High quality leisure and cultural provision

• Make a contribution– Self-sufficiency– Volunteering– Diversity is valued– Cohesive communities

Page 10: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

BIRMINGHAM LIBRARIES• Central Library: one of the biggest and busiest

public libraries in Europe• 4,500 visitors a day, 13,000 information enquiries a

week• 24500sqm, 100 miles of shelving holding 5 million

items (lending and reference)• 40 Community Libraries plus 12 Neighbourhood

(Self-service) libraries• Underpin education; support children & learners• Access to knowledge & information• Facilitate access for excluded people• Vital access point for modern services / delivery• Learning for creativity, regeneration, urban renewal

& rural development

Page 11: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

Collections

• Unique content– One of the best

collections in any European public library

• The Early and Fine Printing Collection contains over 8,000 books published before 1701 (128 were printed before 1501)• One of the world’s best Shakespeare Libraries• Special collections of Johnson, Cervantes and Milton• Collections of early atlases, railway tickets, song sheets, children’s books and games• 6,000 archival collections dating from c1140 to the present day• Photography Collection is one of 9 national collections - 3 million items

Page 12: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

Library Service Innovations• Learning Centre

– Skills development– Job search – Matthew Boulton Learning Suite - accreditation

• Business Insight– Global Entrepreneurship– Business start-up– Creative support

• Health Exchange– Peer networking

• Connecting Histories– Birmingham Stories

• Reading Services• The Library of Birmingham

Page 13: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

Learning Centre• Job Library and Advice Service

– 14500 enquiries per annum – CV Surgeries – 1-1 private

interview and workshops• Flexible Learning

– learndirect - over 500 programs– literacy, numeracy, ESOL &

IELTS, foreign languages, finance & book-keeping, management, ICT

– ICT Simplified – basic 6 week tutor led ICT course aimed at the over 55s to improve confidence, knowledge and basic understanding OCR Test Centre for Maths/English up to Level 2

– 1-1 private tutor support (weekly) to support learners who are on Skills for Life

– Local college partnership for accredited courses

Page 14: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

Business Library Services

• UK’s most comprehensive business information service

• Serving Birmingham since 1919• Starting and Growing a Business, • Business skills / IPR / Company Formation• Self Employment / Market Research• Creative industries & Knowledge Economy• 12 library staff with 8 qualified as Business Advisers

Page 15: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

Business Insight

• Start a business service• Workshops and Seminars • Creative Insight • Creative Pathways• Advice Clinics• Business Fairs• Global Entrepreneurship

Week

Page 16: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

South Yardley 30 new businesses in six weeks from a derelict shop

Page 17: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

Key Themes

Develop an Enterprise Culture

Creating business opportunities

New start-up businesses

New Pathways into Business

Helping Companies to grow

Building sustainable infrastructure

Joint ventures & collaboration

… Enterprise…..

Page 18: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

Key Themes …Creativity…..

Access to Market ResearchExploitation of new markets

Protecting Ideas and IPRGenerating Ideas

Supporting Creative Industries Showcasing Local Talent

Environmental /ICT AwarenessDeveloping Innovation

Building Knowledge Economy

Page 19: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

Key Themes … Learning…..

Accredited and Informal learning

Advice Clinics/ Workshops

Business & Leadership SkillsCombating Worklessness

Creating & Sharing KnowledgeLife and Work Skills

Learning Support on demand

Online and Blended Learning

Signposting & Training

Page 20: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

…inspirational…..Raising Business Awareness

Improve Local Economy & Individual Quality of Life

New ways of living & working

Creative Communities

Changing perceptions and raising aspirations

Providing a ladder / pathway via Open Access & Diversity

Making Dreams Happen

Key Themes

Page 21: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

RESULTS• 131 local councils use our outsource

services• 180,000 physical business visitors

annually• 3563 new businesses started in last 6 yrs• 50,000 student accreditations per annum• Generate £116.58 GVA for every £1 we

cost• Created 14,543 jobs in six yrs for economy

Page 22: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

- Creative Reality

Build A Brand

Page 23: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

Birmingham Film Library

Film Birmingham partnershipBlack Film Festival 2007 - 2010

Feature NightsInternational CinemaLocal Shorts ShowcaseNetworking

Premiere's / Producers ForumSpecial Film EventsTraining

Page 24: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development
Page 25: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

– Advice Clinics (Music & Business)– Birmingham Music Collection

– Compilations for international sales– Download Sales– I-Tune Release License – Image Consultant

– Master Classes– Music Publishing– Music Rights– Networking / Promotions

– Publications– Recording / Record labels– Seminars– Showcasing / Shows – Singers Night– Theatre facilities– Vocal Coaching

Page 26: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development
Page 27: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

Now part of Rep theatre in 2009/10

Actors Training ProgrammeONC professional actor courses (22). Find work with the Rep on graduating, Half company appearing in the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe as support, Wanted whole company! Also work doing “talking heads, videos and podcasts”

Commissions – MB college / Sutton College/Big Peg / BCC Youth Service (literary week)

Schools Programme – social issues, citizenship, diversity, life skills - it’s not about doing nice bits of literature for the English Departments.

Youth company (2) formed as well as atouring company

Page 28: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

ARTISTSBusiness SupportCommissions - Fairs & Sales Courses - online / fact sheetsCreation Zone web site

IPR and legal support

Own GalleriesArt in a Window & Hanging Space Booked out till 2011

Promoting, ShowcasingTraining, Networking

ART CENTRAL

Vibrant new original art at affordable prices

Page 29: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

Everyone Knows I am Looking

Shadowlands Treeoria

ART IN A WINDOW

Page 30: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

BARC

• Vision: to enable people with arthritis to have an improved quality of life and greater long-term independence through education about their diseases. – aimed at multi-cultural society, particularly those who

infrequently obtain conventional medical help– partnership with local communities and the research

environment of the University

• Track record based on – delivery of an educational resource in a variety of formats and

languages to the general public who visit the centre, by referral or on their own initiative.

– outreach visits to target “at risk” populations of excluded groups in communities with poor uptake of conventional health care because of poverty, poor education, or language barriers

Page 31: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

Health Exchange• Originally a partnership development between Heart of

Birmingham teaching Primary Care Trust and Birmingham Central Library, launched in 2006 – 5 employees.

• Community Interest Company formed 2008 – now 55 employees

• Positive lifestyle choices based on empowerment through information and knowledge.

• Support communities and engage with voluntary sector to strengthen capacity and sustainability in support of Health and Wellbeing

• Peer networking and expert patient models• Move from health as either disease prevention or cure to a

“fully engaged” model of health as a choice, available and accessible to all.

Page 32: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

Connecting Histories• Increase access to culturally

diverse archive collections;• Preserve at-risk sound and

photographic archives;• Expand the heritage knowledge

and skills of local communities through user participation,

• Increase the number and diversity of users of archive collections;

• Provide e-learning environments aimed at a broad range of users;

• Give users and volunteers the opportunity to influence archive policies and practices

• Increase the diversity of the workforce in the archive and specialist heritage library sectors;

Page 33: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

Birmingham Stories• 'Stories offer us some of

the richest and most enduring insights into the human condition'

• 'History exists through people, places and objects'

• ‘Spreading the knowledge’• 'Birmingham Faces and

Places'

Page 34: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

Reading Programmes

• Literacy and the development of reading skills.

• Love of reading and promoting reading for pleasure.

• Reading Groups for Teenagers and Adults

• Poetry Groups• Book talks and author events• Involvement in the city’s

annual Young Readers Festival – a two week celebration of reading

Page 35: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

The Future

• New cultural brand• Culture and commerce• Digital not ICT• Business sponsorship• Partnership in service delivery• Partnership in content development

– Co-production

• The Library Experience

Page 36: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

LIBRARY OF BIRMINGHAMOpens June 2013

Page 37: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development
Page 38: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

Big City Plan

To create a world class city centre, planning for next 20

years, and to be in the top 20 most liveable cities in the

world

Page 39: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development
Page 40: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

Messages to the Design Team

• Relationship with the public realm• Quality of the journey – discovery• Quality of public spaces to enable interaction• A place for people, to dwell• Universal appeal – something for everyone,

different spaces and ambiences to suit all needs• The quality of the collections• An experience• A Knowledge Hub, an exchange• A library like no other

Page 41: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

The Library of the Future

The Library Experience

A Centre for Knowledge

LIBRARY OF BIRMINGHAM

Page 42: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

The Ambition• To create a library like no other, a new kind of public

library for the 21st century• To create a “LoB Digital” presence as compelling and

formidable as the physical • To stimulate genuine partnership – co-production of

services and content• To completely re-engineer the business model for the

library• To future proof the library

– Web 2.0, 3.0 etc– E-books– Electronic paper– Print on demand

Page 43: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

• The LoB development is rooted in three core principles– Universality– Sustainability– World-class

• And driven forward by three underpinning themes: -– Building the Knowledge Economy– Investing in Children, Young People and Families– Promoting Community Culture and Heritage

Library of Birmingham

Page 44: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

The Knowledge Hub

Produces: interactions and impactIs concerned with: the quality and effectiveness of the interaction between people and information Can bring about: change in individuals, organisations, communities and societyShowcases and celebrates innovation

Page 45: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

What is a library in the 21st century?

A new partnership – a new contract - with business, colleges, universities, voluntary

sector, creative industries, cultural and arts organisations, writers, performers, schools the

community…

a knowledge hub…a social learning hub

Page 46: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

Partnership

• Collateral– Design– Profile/Leverage– Cultural Assets/Collections– Footfall– Spaces– Partnerships– Staff– Digital

• LoB Hubs– Archives & Heritage– Arts and Creativity– Citizenship and community– Enterprise and innovation– Learning and skills– Information Technology– Reader Services– Children

What can we do together?

Page 47: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

Digital demonstrator• Opportunity to encourage innovation,

inward investment, and global and local markets by developing new forms of digital content

• Create new value chains• Connect university activities and industry

requirements (SME and global) by providing user-driven demonstrator projects

Page 48: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

Some real challenges• Sustainability of branch library network• Sustainability of all services (NB the library

is by statute of Parliament obliged to deliver a comprehensive service

• Focus on needs• Changing role of staff• Resistance to change – staff, politicians,

community• Living with Google

Page 49: Birmingham, UK: Libraries as a Catalyst for Economic Growth and Community Development

…opens June 2013

Thank you for listening

Any Questions?

The Library of Birmingham