CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html> <html class="govuk-template" lang="en">  <head> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"> <meta property="og:image:alt" content="Outside view of the Whitechapel Idea Store"> <meta property="og:image" content="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/image_data/file/58674/s300_idea_store_whitechapel_for_GOV.UK.jpg"> <meta property="og:description" content="Service integration of libraries and adult and community education services in Tower Hamlets"> <meta property="og:title" content="Idea Stores: service integration with libraries and learning"> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.gov.uk/government/case-studies/idea-stores-service-integration-with-libraries-and-learning"> <meta property="og:type" content="article"> <meta property="og:site_name" content="GOV.UK"> <meta name="twitter:image:alt" content="Outside view of the Whitechapel Idea Store"> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/image_data/file/58674/s300_idea_store_whitechapel_for_GOV.UK.jpg"> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"> <meta name="description" content="Service integration of libraries and adult and community education services in Tower Hamlets"> <meta name="govuk:taxon-slugs" content="library-services"> <meta name="govuk:taxon-slug" content="library-services"> <meta name="govuk:taxon-ids" content="58747b8d-6bf7-4470-8f71-c3568132bba2"> <meta name="govuk:taxon-id" content="58747b8d-6bf7-4470-8f71-c3568132bba2"> <meta name="govuk:taxonomy_level1" content="society-and-culture"> <meta name="govuk:organisations" content="<D5>"> <meta name="govuk:primary-publishing-organisation" content="Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport"> <meta name="govuk:public-updated-at" content="2016-11-30T13:54:53+00:00"> <meta name="govuk:updated-at" content="2024-07-12T10:07:30+01:00"> <meta name="govuk:first-published-at" content="2016-11-30T13:54:56+00:00"> <meta name="govuk:content-has-history" content="true"> <meta name="govuk:content-id" content="929c0865-aa65-4478-9382-27ad91acc20e"> <meta name="govuk:schema-name" content="case_study"> <meta name="govuk:rendering-app" content="government-frontend"> <meta name="govuk:publishing-app" content="whitehall"> <meta name="govuk:format" content="case_study"> <meta charset="utf-8"> <title lang="en"> Idea Stores: service integration with libraries and learning - Case study - GOV.UK </title> <script src="/assets/static/govuk_publishing_components/vendor/lux/lux-measurer-db6c8505a6690974922b8578eb1f2208d3073807f98d9a048efe9991f8dfc92d.js" async="async"></script> <script src="/assets/static/govuk_publishing_components/rum-loader-a65b10e18ceeba3bd8a2eac507c7f2c513cdc82f35097df903fdea87f1dc2e33.js" async="async" data-lux-reporter-script="/assets/static/govuk_publishing_components/vendor/lux/lux-reporter-48c5bd366fe0d4d9ee3ab6df90274b509ac670dd5a2870e1c181546a94955937.js"></script> <meta name="govuk:components_gem_version" content="45.6.1"> <script src="/assets/static/govuk_publishing_components/load-analytics-c21de422ff741c3f44f494b4044e13ce955a29e42b1575a38339706f2a24b15e.js" type="module"></script> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/assets/static/application-7444c76f7c54b6821a8844e76f9b6fd74089a5ffa0e46938cf317ebb7eabf679.css" media="all"> <link rel="icon" sizes="48x48" href="/assets/static/favicon-f54816fc15997bd42cd90e4c50b896a1fc098c0c32957d4e5effbfa9f9b35e53.ico"> <link rel="icon" sizes="any" href="/assets/static/favicon-50144c9d83e59584c45b249ad9e9abfdd23689876c33f28457df13bbdd9c8688.svg" type="image/svg+xml"> <link rel="mask-icon" href="/assets/static/govuk-icon-mask-cdf4265165f8d7f9eec54aa2c1dfbb3d8b6d297c5d7919f0313e0836a5804bb6.svg" color="#0b0c0c"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="/assets/static/govuk-icon-180-d2d7399ff2ba05372b6b2018cc67053e458a748cceea1a550d804dbec401e3ed.png"> <meta name="theme-color" content="#0b0c0c"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"> <meta property="og:image" content="https://www.gov.uk/assets/static/govuk-opengraph-image-03837e1cec82f217cf32514635a13c879b8c400ae3b1c207c5744411658c7635.png"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/assets/government-frontend/application-c357aabf79c6236777c898194d9ab6cc820429fa50731a1ad9185441b1a72cbb.css" media="all"> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.gov.uk/government/case-studies/idea-stores-service-integration-with-libraries-and-learning"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/assets/government-frontend/govuk_publishing_components/components/_lead-paragraph-f836674acff37ffeb7a31307566902a6b96f8dc4c4bd24ac12428dde212ba439.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/assets/government-frontend/govuk_publishing_components/components/_metadata-073c0274ce82494b833de14ee07c2f7e6ea08bd8859cbe387649f4061a665e17.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/assets/government-frontend/components/_figure-d415543c530dc63ac89c99ee37d71c120e7e1d246ac494c31a4f1a66bda157e4.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/assets/government-frontend/govuk_publishing_components/components/_govspeak-0d496aaf922151c94e6c69d46932b37b804023b9d3caa346496d1f4cef055699.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/assets/government-frontend/components/_published-dates-80cd7f537efdfaa1b98f3ac6715c4108dea21340333b4835cdbbfa1f4029c988.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/assets/government-frontend/govuk_publishing_components/components/_contextual-sidebar-9fb871b0434ba7553aed133229e31f5acdb93af133cfade7c81e94370c0c942b.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/assets/government-frontend/govuk_publishing_components/components/_related-navigation-7541490115d40c977392570f22a3a100cc9ea364672e9414aabe14dd2788fd09.css"> <meta name="govuk:rendering-application" content="government-frontend"> </head> <body class="gem-c-layout-for-public govuk-template__body"> <script nonce="rl+AdCjth0ZvlOT5RUp0lA=="> //<![CDATA[ document.body.className += ' js-enabled' + ('noModule' in HTMLScriptElement.prototype ? ' govuk-frontend-supported' : ''); //]]> </script> <div id="global-cookie-message" data-module="cookie-banner" data-nosnippet="" aria-label="Cookies on GOV.UK" class="gem-c-cookie-banner govuk-clearfix govuk-cookie-banner js-banner-wrapper" role="region" hidden="hidden"> <div class="govuk-cookie-banner__message govuk-width-container"> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds"> <h2 class="govuk-cookie-banner__heading govuk-heading-m">Cookies on GOV.UK</h2> <div tabindex="-1" class="govuk-cookie-banner__content gem-c-cookie-banner__confirmation"> <span class="gem-c-cookie-banner__content"><p class="govuk-body">We use some essential cookies to make this website work.</p> <p class="govuk-body">We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.</p> <p class="govuk-body">We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.</p></span> <p class="gem-c-cookie-banner__confirmation-message--accepted govuk-body" hidden data-ga4-cookie-banner data-module="ga4-link-tracker" data-ga4-track-links-only data-ga4-set-indexes data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"cookie banner","section":"You have accepted additional cookies"}'>You have accepted additional cookies. <span class="gem-c-cookie-banner__confirmation-message">You can <a class="govuk-link" href="/help/cookies">change your cookie settings</a> at any time.</span></p> <p class="gem-c-cookie-banner__confirmation-message--rejected govuk-body" hidden>You have rejected additional cookies. <span class="gem-c-cookie-banner__confirmation-message">You can <a class="govuk-link" href="/help/cookies">change your cookie settings</a> at any time.</span></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="js-confirmation-buttons govuk-button-group"> <button class="gem-c-button govuk-button" type="submit" data-accept-cookies="true" data-cookie-types="all">Accept additional cookies</button> <button class="gem-c-button govuk-button" type="submit" data-reject-cookies="true">Reject additional cookies</button> <a class="govuk-link" href="/help/cookies">View cookies</a> </div> <div hidden class="js-hide-button govuk-button-group"> <button class="gem-c-cookie-banner__hide-button govuk-button" data-hide-cookie-banner="true" data-module="ga4-event-tracker" data-ga4-event='{"event_name":"select_content","type":"cookie banner","action":"closed","section":"You have accepted additional cookies"}'> Hide this message </button> </div> </div> </div> <a class="gem-c-skip-link govuk-skip-link govuk-!-display-none-print" data-module="govuk-skip-link" href="#content">Skip to main content</a> <header role="banner" class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header" data-module="ga4-event-tracker ga4-link-tracker" data-ga4-expandable=""> <div class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__container govuk-clearfix"> <div class="govuk-width-container"> <div class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__header-logo"> <a class="govuk-header__link govuk-header__link--homepage" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","external":"false","text":"GOV.UK","section":"Logo","index_link":1,"index_section":0,"index_section_count":2,"index_total":1}' id="logo" aria-label="Go to the GOV.UK homepage" href="https://www.gov.uk"> <svg focusable="false" role="img" class="govuk-header__logotype" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewbox="0 0 148 30" height="30" width="148" aria-label="GOV.UK"> <title>GOV.UK</title> <path d="M22.6 10.4c-1 .4-2-.1-2.4-1-.4-.9.1-2 1-2.4.9-.4 2 .1 2.4 1s-.1 2-1 2.4m-5.9 6.7c-.9.4-2-.1-2.4-1-.4-.9.1-2 1-2.4.9-.4 2 .1 2.4 1s-.1 2-1 2.4m10.8-3.7c-1 .4-2-.1-2.4-1-.4-.9.1-2 1-2.4.9-.4 2 .1 2.4 1s0 2-1 2.4m3.3 4.8c-1 .4-2-.1-2.4-1-.4-.9.1-2 1-2.4.9-.4 2 .1 2.4 1s-.1 2-1 2.4M17 4.7l2.3 1.2V2.5l-2.3.7-.2-.2.9-3h-3.4l.9 3-.2.2c-.1.1-2.3-.7-2.3-.7v3.4L15 4.7c.1.1.1.2.2.2l-1.3 4c-.1.2-.1.4-.1.6 0 1.1.8 2 1.9 2.2h.7c1-.2 1.9-1.1 1.9-2.1 0-.2 0-.4-.1-.6l-1.3-4c-.1-.2 0-.2.1-.3m-7.6 5.7c.9.4 2-.1 2.4-1 .4-.9-.1-2-1-2.4-.9-.4-2 .1-2.4 1s0 2 1 2.4m-5 3c.9.4 2-.1 2.4-1 .4-.9-.1-2-1-2.4-.9-.4-2 .1-2.4 1s.1 2 1 2.4m-3.2 4.8c.9.4 2-.1 2.4-1 .4-.9-.1-2-1-2.4-.9-.4-2 .1-2.4 1s0 2 1 2.4m14.8 11c4.4 0 8.6.3 12.3.8 1.1-4.5 2.4-7 3.7-8.8l-2.5-.9c.2 1.3.3 1.9 0 2.7-.4-.4-.8-1.1-1.1-2.3l-1.2 4c.7-.5 1.3-.8 2-.9-1.1 2.5-2.6 3.1-3.5 3-1.1-.2-1.7-1.2-1.5-2.1.3-1.2 1.5-1.5 2.1-.1 1.1-2.3-.8-3-2-2.3 1.9-1.9 2.1-3.5.6-5.6-2.1 1.6-2.1 3.2-1.2 5.5-1.2-1.4-3.2-.6-2.5 1.6.9-1.4 2.1-.5 1.9.8-.2 1.1-1.7 2.1-3.5 1.9-2.7-.2-2.9-2.1-2.9-3.6.7-.1 1.9.5 2.9 1.9l.4-4.3c-1.1 1.1-2.1 1.4-3.2 1.4.4-1.2 2.1-3 2.1-3h-5.4s1.7 1.9 2.1 3c-1.1 0-2.1-.2-3.2-1.4l.4 4.3c1-1.4 2.2-2 2.9-1.9-.1 1.5-.2 3.4-2.9 3.6-1.9.2-3.4-.8-3.5-1.9-.2-1.3 1-2.2 1.9-.8.7-2.3-1.2-3-2.5-1.6.9-2.2.9-3.9-1.2-5.5-1.5 2-1.3 3.7.6 5.6-1.2-.7-3.1 0-2 2.3.6-1.4 1.8-1.1 2.1.1.2.9-.3 1.9-1.5 2.1-.9.2-2.4-.5-3.5-3 .6 0 1.2.3 2 .9l-1.2-4c-.3 1.1-.7 1.9-1.1 2.3-.3-.8-.2-1.4 0-2.7l-2.9.9C1.3 23 2.6 25.5 3.7 30c3.7-.5 7.9-.8 12.3-.8m28.3-11.6c0 .9.1 1.7.3 2.5.2.8.6 1.5 1 2.2.5.6 1 1.1 1.7 1.5.7.4 1.5.6 2.5.6.9 0 1.7-.1 2.3-.4s1.1-.7 1.5-1.1c.4-.4.6-.9.8-1.5.1-.5.2-1 .2-1.5v-.2h-5.3v-3.2h9.4V28H55v-2.5c-.3.4-.6.8-1 1.1-.4.3-.8.6-1.3.9-.5.2-1 .4-1.6.6s-1.2.2-1.8.2c-1.5 0-2.9-.3-4-.8-1.2-.6-2.2-1.3-3-2.3-.8-1-1.4-2.1-1.8-3.4-.3-1.4-.5-2.8-.5-4.3s.2-2.9.7-4.2c.5-1.3 1.1-2.4 2-3.4.9-1 1.9-1.7 3.1-2.3 1.2-.6 2.6-.8 4.1-.8 1 0 1.9.1 2.8.3.9.2 1.7.6 2.4 1s1.4.9 1.9 1.5c.6.6 1 1.3 1.4 2l-3.7 2.1c-.2-.4-.5-.9-.8-1.2-.3-.4-.6-.7-1-1-.4-.3-.8-.5-1.3-.7-.5-.2-1.1-.2-1.7-.2-1 0-1.8.2-2.5.6-.7.4-1.3.9-1.7 1.5-.5.6-.8 1.4-1 2.2-.3.8-.4 1.9-.4 2.7zM71.5 6.8c1.5 0 2.9.3 4.2.8 1.2.6 2.3 1.3 3.1 2.3.9 1 1.5 2.1 2 3.4s.7 2.7.7 4.2-.2 2.9-.7 4.2c-.4 1.3-1.1 2.4-2 3.4-.9 1-1.9 1.7-3.1 2.3-1.2.6-2.6.8-4.2.8s-2.9-.3-4.2-.8c-1.2-.6-2.3-1.3-3.1-2.3-.9-1-1.5-2.1-2-3.4-.4-1.3-.7-2.7-.7-4.2s.2-2.9.7-4.2c.4-1.3 1.1-2.4 2-3.4.9-1 1.9-1.7 3.1-2.3 1.2-.5 2.6-.8 4.2-.8zm0 17.6c.9 0 1.7-.2 2.4-.5s1.3-.8 1.7-1.4c.5-.6.8-1.3 1.1-2.2.2-.8.4-1.7.4-2.7v-.1c0-1-.1-1.9-.4-2.7-.2-.8-.6-1.6-1.1-2.2-.5-.6-1.1-1.1-1.7-1.4-.7-.3-1.5-.5-2.4-.5s-1.7.2-2.4.5-1.3.8-1.7 1.4c-.5.6-.8 1.3-1.1 2.2-.2.8-.4 1.7-.4 2.7v.1c0 1 .1 1.9.4 2.7.2.8.6 1.6 1.1 2.2.5.6 1.1 1.1 1.7 1.4.6.3 1.4.5 2.4.5zM88.9 28 83 7h4.7l4 15.7h.1l4-15.7h4.7l-5.9 21h-5.7zm28.8-3.6c.6 0 1.2-.1 1.7-.3.5-.2 1-.4 1.4-.8.4-.4.7-.8.9-1.4.2-.6.3-1.2.3-2v-13h4.1v13.6c0 1.2-.2 2.2-.6 3.1s-1 1.7-1.8 2.4c-.7.7-1.6 1.2-2.7 1.5-1 .4-2.2.5-3.4.5-1.2 0-2.4-.2-3.4-.5-1-.4-1.9-.9-2.7-1.5-.8-.7-1.3-1.5-1.8-2.4-.4-.9-.6-2-.6-3.1V6.9h4.2v13c0 .8.1 1.4.3 2 .2.6.5 1 .9 1.4.4.4.8.6 1.4.8.6.2 1.1.3 1.8.3zm13-17.4h4.2v9.1l7.4-9.1h5.2l-7.2 8.4L148 28h-4.9l-5.5-9.4-2.7 3V28h-4.2V7zm-27.6 16.1c-1.5 0-2.7 1.2-2.7 2.7s1.2 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7-1.2 2.7-2.7-1.2-2.7-2.7-2.7z"></path> </svg> </a> </div> </div> <nav aria-labelledby="super-navigation-menu-heading" class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__content govuk-!-display-none-print" data-module="super-navigation-mega-menu"> <h2 id="super-navigation-menu-heading" class="govuk-visually-hidden"> Navigation menu </h2> <div class="govuk-width-container gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__button-width-container"> <div class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__button-container"> <div class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-item"> <a class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-item-link" href="/browse"><span class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-item-link-inner"> Menu </span></a> <button aria-controls="super-navigation-menu" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Show navigation menu" class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-top-toggle-button" data-text-for-hide="Hide navigation menu" data-text-for-show="Show navigation menu" data-toggle-desktop-group="top" data-toggle-mobile-group="top" data-tracking-key="menu" data-ga4-event='{"event_name":"select_content","type":"header menu bar","text":"Menu","index_section":1,"index_section_count":2,"section":"Menu"}' hidden="hidden" id="super-navigation-menu-toggle" type="button"> <span class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-top-toggle-button-inner">Menu</span> </button> </div> <div class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__search-item"> <button id="super-search-menu-toggle" class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__search-toggle-button" aria-controls="super-search-menu" aria-expanded="true" aria-label="Hide search menu" data-text-for-hide="Hide search menu" data-text-for-show="Show search menu" data-toggle-mobile-group="top" data-toggle-desktop-group="top" data-tracking-key="search" data-ga4-event='{"event_name":"select_content","type":"header menu bar","text":"Search","index_section":2,"index_section_count":2,"section":"Search"}' hidden="hidden" type="button"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden"> Search GOV.UK </span> <svg class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__search-toggle-button-link-icon" width="27" height="27" viewbox="0 0 27 27" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"> <circle cx="12.0161" cy="11.0161" r="8.51613" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="3"></circle> <line x1="17.8668" y1="17.3587" x2="26.4475" y2="25.9393" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="3"></line> </svg> <span aria-hidden="true" class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-top-toggle-close-icon" focusable="false"> × </span> </button> <a class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__search-item-link" href="/search"> <span class="govuk-visually-hidden"> Search GOV.UK </span> <svg class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__search-item-link-icon" width="27" height="27" viewbox="0 0 27 27" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"> <circle cx="12.0161" cy="11.0161" r="8.51613" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="3"></circle> <line x1="17.8668" y1="17.3587" x2="26.4475" y2="25.9393" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="3"></line> </svg> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div id="super-navigation-menu" hidden="hidden" class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-dropdown-menu"> <div class="govuk-width-container"> <div class="govuk-grid-row gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-items"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds-from-desktop gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__column--services-and-information"> <h3 class="govuk-heading-m gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__column-header"> Services and information </h3> <ul class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-items gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-items--services-and-information"> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index_section":1,"index_link":1,"index_section_count":3,"index_total":16,"section":"Services and information"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits">Benefits</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index_section":1,"index_link":2,"index_section_count":3,"index_total":16,"section":"Services and information"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/browse/births-deaths-marriages">Births, death, marriages and care</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index_section":1,"index_link":3,"index_section_count":3,"index_total":16,"section":"Services and information"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/browse/business">Business and self-employed</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index_section":1,"index_link":4,"index_section_count":3,"index_total":16,"section":"Services and information"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/browse/childcare-parenting">Childcare and parenting</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index_section":1,"index_link":5,"index_section_count":3,"index_total":16,"section":"Services and information"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/browse/citizenship">Citizenship and living in the UK</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index_section":1,"index_link":6,"index_section_count":3,"index_total":16,"section":"Services and information"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/browse/justice">Crime, justice and the law</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index_section":1,"index_link":7,"index_section_count":3,"index_total":16,"section":"Services and information"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/browse/disabilities">Disabled people</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index_section":1,"index_link":8,"index_section_count":3,"index_total":16,"section":"Services and information"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/browse/driving">Driving and transport</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index_section":1,"index_link":9,"index_section_count":3,"index_total":16,"section":"Services and information"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/browse/education">Education and learning</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index_section":1,"index_link":10,"index_section_count":3,"index_total":16,"section":"Services and information"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/browse/employing-people">Employing people</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index_section":1,"index_link":11,"index_section_count":3,"index_total":16,"section":"Services and information"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/browse/environment-countryside">Environment and countryside</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index_section":1,"index_link":12,"index_section_count":3,"index_total":16,"section":"Services and information"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/browse/housing-local-services">Housing and local services</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index_section":1,"index_link":13,"index_section_count":3,"index_total":16,"section":"Services and information"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/browse/tax">Money and tax</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index_section":1,"index_link":14,"index_section_count":3,"index_total":16,"section":"Services and information"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/browse/abroad">Passports, travel and living abroad</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index_section":1,"index_link":15,"index_section_count":3,"index_total":16,"section":"Services and information"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration">Visas and immigration</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index_section":1,"index_link":16,"index_section_count":3,"index_total":16,"section":"Services and information"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/browse/working">Working, jobs and pensions</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="govuk-grid-column-one-third-from-desktop gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__column--government-activity"> <h3 class="govuk-heading-m gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__column-header"> Government activity </h3> <ul class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-items gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-items--government-activity"> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link--with-description" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index_section":2,"index_link":1,"index_section_count":3,"index_total":6,"section":"Government activity"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations">Departments</a> <p class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-description">Departments, agencies and public bodies</p> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link--with-description" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index_section":2,"index_link":2,"index_section_count":3,"index_total":6,"section":"Government activity"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/search/news-and-communications">News</a> <p class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-description">News stories, speeches, letters and notices</p> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link--with-description" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index_section":2,"index_link":3,"index_section_count":3,"index_total":6,"section":"Government activity"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/search/guidance-and-regulation">Guidance and regulation</a> <p class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-description">Detailed guidance, regulations and rules</p> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link--with-description" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index_section":2,"index_link":4,"index_section_count":3,"index_total":6,"section":"Government activity"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/search/research-and-statistics">Research and statistics</a> <p class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-description">Reports, analysis and official statistics</p> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link--with-description" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index_section":2,"index_link":5,"index_section_count":3,"index_total":6,"section":"Government activity"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/search/policy-papers-and-consultations">Policy papers and consultations</a> <p class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-description">Consultations and strategy</p> </li> <li class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__dropdown-list-item"> <a class="govuk-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-link--with-description" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"header menu bar","index_section":2,"index_link":6,"index_section_count":3,"index_total":6,"section":"Government activity"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/search/transparency-and-freedom-of-information-releases">Transparency</a> <p class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-second-item-description">Data, Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports</p> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="super-search-menu" hidden="hidden" class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__navigation-dropdown-menu"> <div class="govuk-width-container gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__search-container gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__search-items"> <h3 class="govuk-visually-hidden"> Search </h3> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-full"> <form class="gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__search-form" id="search" data-module="ga4-search-tracker" data-ga4-search-type="header menu bar" data-ga4-search-url="/search/all" data-ga4-search-section="Search GOV.UK" data-ga4-search-index-section="3" data-ga4-search-index-section-count="3" action="https://www.gov.uk/search/all" method="get" role="search" aria-label="Site-wide"> <div class="gem-c-search govuk-!-display-none-print govuk-!-margin-bottom-0 gem-c-search--large gem-c-search--on-white gem-c-search--separate-label" data-module="gem-toggle-input-class-on-focus"> <label for="search-main-1351d4fc" class="govuk-label govuk-label--m gem-c-layout-super-navigation-header__search-label--large-navbar">Search GOV.UK</label> <div class="gem-c-search__item-wrapper"> <div class="js-search-input-wrapper"> <input enterkeyhint="search" class="gem-c-search__item gem-c-search__input js-class-toggle" id="search-main-1351d4fc" name="keywords" title="Search" type="search" value="" autocorrect="off" autocapitalize="off"> </div> <div class="gem-c-search__item gem-c-search__submit-wrapper"> <button class="gem-c-search__submit" type="submit" enterkeyhint="search"> Search <svg class="gem-c-search__icon" width="27" height="27" viewbox="0 0 27 27" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"> <circle cx="12.0161" cy="11.0161" r="8.51613" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="3"></circle> <line x1="17.8668" y1="17.3587" x2="26.4475" y2="25.9393" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="3"></line> </svg> </button> </div> </div> </div> </form> </div> </div> </div> </div> </nav> </div> </header> <div class=""> <div class="gem-c-layout-for-public__blue-bar govuk-width-container"></div> </div> <div id="wrapper" class="direction-ltr govuk-width-container"> <div class="gem-c-contextual-breadcrumbs"> <div class="govuk-!-display-none-print"> <nav data-module="ga4-link-tracker" aria-label="Breadcrumb" class="gem-c-breadcrumbs govuk-breadcrumbs govuk-breadcrumbs--collapse-on-mobile"> <ol class="govuk-breadcrumbs__list"> <li class="govuk-breadcrumbs__list-item"> <a data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"breadcrumb","index_link":"1","index_total":"4"}' class="govuk-breadcrumbs__link" href="/">Home</a> </li> <li class="govuk-breadcrumbs__list-item"> <a data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"breadcrumb","index_link":"2","index_total":"4"}' class="govuk-breadcrumbs__link" href="/society-and-culture">Society and culture</a> </li> <li class="govuk-breadcrumbs__list-item"> <a data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"breadcrumb","index_link":"3","index_total":"4"}' class="govuk-breadcrumbs__link" href="/society-and-culture/arts-and-culture">Arts and culture</a> </li> <li class="govuk-breadcrumbs__list-item"> <a data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"breadcrumb","index_link":"4","index_total":"4"}' class="govuk-breadcrumbs__link" href="/society-and-culture/library-services">Library services</a> </li> </ol> </nav> </div> </div> <main role="main" id="content" class="case-study" lang="en"> <span id="Top"></span> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds responsive-top-margin"> <div class="gem-c-title govuk-!-margin-top-8 govuk-!-margin-bottom-8"> <span class="govuk-caption-xl gem-c-title__context"> Case study </span> <h1 class="gem-c-title__text govuk-heading-l"> Idea Stores: service integration with libraries and learning </h1> </div> </div> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds"> <p class="gem-c-lead-paragraph">Service integration of libraries and adult and community education services in Tower Hamlets</p> </div> </div> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="metadata-logo-wrapper"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds metadata-column"> <div class="gem-c-metadata" data-module="gem-toggle metadata"> <dl class="gem-c-metadata__list"> <dt class="gem-c-metadata__term">From:</dt> <dd class="gem-c-metadata__definition"> <a class="govuk-link" href="/government/organisations/department-for-digital-culture-media-sport">Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport</a> </dd> <dt class="gem-c-metadata__term">Published</dt> <dd class="gem-c-metadata__definition">30 November 2016</dd> </dl> </div> </div> <div class="govuk-grid-column-one-third"> </div> </div> </div> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds"> <div class="content-bottom-margin"> <div class="responsive-bottom-margin"> <figure class="app-c-figure" lang="en"> <img class="app-c-figure__image" src="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/image_data/file/58674/s300_idea_store_whitechapel_for_GOV.UK.jpg" alt="Outside view of the Whitechapel Idea Store"> <figcaption class="app-c-figure__figcaption"> <p class="app-c-figure__figcaption-text"> Whitechapel Idea Store. Photo credit: Tower Hamlets Libraries </p> </figcaption> </figure> <div data-module="govspeak" class="gem-c-govspeak govuk-govspeak gem-c-govspeak--direction-ltr govuk-!-margin-bottom-0"> <div class="govspeak"> <h2 id="context">Context</h2> <p>The <a rel="external" href="https://www.ideastore.co.uk/" class="govuk-link">Idea Store</a> project shows how an innovative approach transformed an unpopular library service. It involved the integration of Tower Hamlet’s libraries and adult and community education services, and housing the integrated service in dedicated buildings.</p> <p>In the late 1990s, the usage levels in Tower Hamlets’ libraries were lower than other local councils and falling. Under 20% of the population used a library – though there were more libraries per head of population than in any inner London Borough. Geographical distance from people’s homes was not the overriding factor in usage. The library buildings were not in the right places and often in poor condition, with high maintenance costs. Staff were spread thinly so opening hours were short and inconvenient – and published hours were not always maintained.</p> <p>Alongside this, the council’s adult education service was facing similar problems: with low take up and buildings not in the right place. The network had developed in a largely ad hoc way with 6 council run adult education centres and a further 40 outreach sites.</p> <p>Tower Hamlets has some of the highest levels of social deprivation anywhere in Europe and the population has some of the highest basic skills needs in the country. A <a rel="external" href="https://www.ideastore.co.uk/assets/documents/misc/A_Library_and_Lifelong_Learning_Development_Strategy_for_Tower_Hamlets(1).pdf." class="govuk-link">survey by the Basic Skills Agency</a> in 1998 demonstrated the extent of the need for literacy and numeracy in the borough. The average ward in England showed 14% of the population needing basic skills. The average ward in Tower Hamlets showed that 24% needed basic skills. Tower Hamlets also contained the ward with the greatest need in the country, Spitalfields with 27%.</p> <h2 id="the-idea-store-project">The Idea Store project</h2> <h3 id="library-service-review">Library service review</h3> <p>The council wanted to provide a library service that met the needs of the local community. In early 1998 the Customer Services Directorate conducted a market research programme, a road show and a publicity campaign. They wanted to give every resident and library user the opportunity to contribute to the review and future development of their library service. Approximately one in ten households took part.</p> <p>The market research included interviews and questionnaires. It told the council that local people really did value libraries (something that couldn’t be assumed given the low levels of use) but they wanted libraries to fit in with their lives. It was also clear that retaining existing buildings was not a high priority for most people, which could have been a reflection of the poor location of most of them. People wanted:</p> <ul> <li>libraries in the right location</li> <li>longer opening hours</li> <li>better book stock</li> <li>better IT</li> <li>access to council services and information</li> </ul> <h3 id="launch-of-the-idea-store-concept">Launch of the Idea Store concept</h3> <p>Results from the library and adult education review led to a rethink of how the service was delivered. There was a clear overlap between the 2 services and opportunities from integration. In April 1999 the council’s Arts, Leisure and Sports Committee and Youth and Community Services Committee developed a <a rel="external" href="http://www.ideastore.co.uk/assets/documents/misc/A_Library_and_Lifelong_Learning_Development_Strategy_for_Tower_Hamlets(1).pdf" class="govuk-link">strategy</a> to bring the 2 together to become a single service, the Idea Store. It was officially launched by Chris Smith, then Secretary of State for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, with £20 million funding from Tower Hamlets council.</p> <h3 id="service-integration">Service integration</h3> <p>Tower Hamlet’s vision was for a visit to the library and lifelong learning centres to become a regular part of people’s lives – to act as a focus as well as a resource for the whole community - with the Idea Stores engaging people that other services didn’t reach.</p> <p>Market research had shown the importance of good locations. Following the retail principles the 7 proposed Idea Stores were to be sited in prominent, convenient positions, with a similar format and contents, while reflecting the local context. The first prototype Idea Store at Bow opened in 2002, 3 years after the initial concept had been developed. Idea Store Bow was located in the middle of a busy shopping centre, next door to a supermarket - designed to fit conveniently into people’s lives and able to attract passers-by. This model was followed in the next Idea Stores: Chrisp Street in 2004, Idea Store Whitechapel in 2005, Canary Wharf in 2006 and Idea Store Watney Market in 2013.</p> <p>Tower Hamlets kept the local community engaged and updated throughout the process. A magazine explaining the new Idea Stores was published regularly from 2000. The council also stated that no existing library would close until its replacement was opened.</p> <p>Design of the buildings and the brand was important to get service integration right. The council worked with design and architecture firm Bissett Adams and award-winning architect David Adjaye. Idea Store branding was used on all signage and publications (print and digital), as well as on the uniforms worn by customer-facing staff. Idea Stores removed standard issue library furniture, badly-designed posters and piles of leaflets. Books were arranged in a similar way to bookshops with a lot of face-on display and a large amount of space dedicated to promoting new and core stock. All Idea Stores were established with long standard opening hours. This was central to creating a place that was attractive and somewhere people would want to spend time.</p> <p>Adult and community education classrooms, or ‘learning labs’ are visible (not located on a separate floor), to demonstrate what opportunities are available and each lab has a displayed timetable. When the labs are not in use for classes they are opened up and made available to people as a quiet space for study or reading. The Idea Stores don’t see ‘learners’ and ‘library users’ as separate people. Similarly customer facing staff (working across the service) deal with both learning and library and information matters - although classes are run by professional teachers.</p> <p>One effect of running an integrated service - bringing together staff from 2 different working backgrounds – has been to question why things are done the way they are. Such as rules seen as unnecessary have been removed as well as charges on library loans for example CDs and DVDs.</p> <h2 id="achievements">Achievements</h2> <p>Since the opening of the first Idea Store at Bow visitor numbers have increased. Previously, annual figures were around 500,000, this rose to more than 2 million after the fifth Idea Store was opened at Watney Market in 2013. Issues and enrolments on adult education classes have also increased – and from a smaller number of buildings.</p> <p>The council has made no cuts in opening hours or replaced paid staff by volunteers (although there is an extensive volunteer programme). Local people value the service; 92% rated Idea Stores as ‘good’ or ‘very good’ in the 2014/15 CIPFA Public Library User Survey. Idea Store is the highest rated council service in the council’s own Annual Residents Survey and there is a 98.9% learner satisfaction for Idea Store Learning, making Tower Hamlets the second highest rated council in England.</p> <p>There has also been a significant amount of international recognition with regular requests for tours by library professionals and politicians from around the world. Idea Stores have featured in library school textbooks (in places such as Korea and Catalonia) and Idea Store staff have been invited to speak to audiences in Europe, Asia and the USA.</p> <p>The £4.5 million Idea Store Watney was jointly funded by the Big Lottery Fund and Tower Hamlets council.</p> <h2 id="plans-for-the-future">Plans for the future</h2> <p>The library service is still looking for 2 locations for the remaining Idea Stores. The libraries won’t close down until they’ve been replaced.</p> <p>There is now further integration of libraries and adult and community education, with staff from across the service working together on joint projects including health, employability and digital inclusion. For example, the Idea Store health strategy demonstrates a coherent offer under one roof that includes a wide range of services, health information, fitness classes, therapeutic reading groups, healthy eating, dance, and bibliotherapy. They receive Public Health funding for Health Outreach workers operating out of Idea Stores.</p> <h2 id="further-information">Further information</h2> <p>Idea Store strategy documents:</p> <ul> <li>Idea Store <a rel="external" href="https://www.ideastore.co.uk/assets/documents/IdeaStoreStrategyAppx1CAB290709(1).pdf" class="govuk-link">strategy</a> </li> <li><a rel="external" href="https://www.ideastore.co.uk/assets/documents/misc/A_Library_and_Lifelong_Learning_Development_Strategy_for_Tower_Hamlets(1).pdf" class="govuk-link">A Library and Lifelong Learning Development Strategy for Tower Hamlets</a></li> </ul> <p>Information on the Idea Store from:</p> <ul> <li><a rel="external" href="http://www.cilip.org.uk/blog/public-library-innovation-idea-stores-so-last-century" class="govuk-link">CILIP</a></li> <li><a rel="external" href="http://www.publiclibrariesnews.com/practitioners/new-libraries/idea-stores-what-the-ideas-are-and-why-its-important" class="govuk-link">Public Library News</a></li> </ul> <div class="call-to-action"> <p>Contact info: <a href="mailto:Ideastore@towerhamlets.gov.uk" class="govuk-link">Ideastore@towerhamlets.gov.uk</a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2 class="govuk-visually-hidden">Updates to this page</h2> <div class="app-c-published-dates" lang="en"> Published 30 November 2016 </div> </div> </div> <div class="govuk-grid-column-one-third"> <div class="gem-c-contextual-sidebar govuk-!-display-none-print"> <div class="gem-c-related-navigation govuk-!-display-none-print" data-module="ga4-link-tracker"> <h2 id="related-nav-related_items-2c5d26c5" class="gem-c-related-navigation__main-heading"> Related content </h2> <nav role="navigation" class="gem-c-related-navigation__nav-section" aria-labelledby="related-nav-collections-2c5d26c5" data-module="gem-toggle"> <h3 id="related-nav-collections-2c5d26c5" class="gem-c-related-navigation__sub-heading gem-c-related-navigation__sub-heading--sidebar" data-track-count="sidebarRelatedItemSection">Collection</h3> <ul class="gem-c-related-navigation__link-list"> <li class="gem-c-related-navigation__link"><a class="govuk-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link--sidebar" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"related content","index_section":"1","index_link":"1","index_section_count":"1","index_total":"1","section":"Collection"}' href="/government/collections/libraries-shaping-the-future-report-and-case-studies">Libraries shaping the future: toolkit and case studies</a></li> </ul> </nav> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds"> <div class="gem-c-contextual-footer govuk-!-display-none-print"> <div class="gem-c-related-navigation govuk-!-display-none-print" data-module="ga4-link-tracker"> <nav role="navigation" class="gem-c-related-navigation__nav-section" aria-labelledby="related-nav-topics-a68456da" data-module="gem-toggle"> <h2 id="related-nav-topics-a68456da" class="gem-c-related-navigation__sub-heading gem-c-related-navigation__sub-heading--footer" data-track-count="footerRelatedItemSection">Explore the topic</h2> <ul class="gem-c-related-navigation__link-list"> <li class="gem-c-related-navigation__link"><a class="govuk-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link govuk-link gem-c-related-navigation__section-link--footer" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"contextual footer","index_section":"1","index_link":"1","index_section_count":"1","index_total":"1","section":"Explore the topic"}' href="/society-and-culture/library-services">Library services</a></li> </ul> </nav> </div> </div> </div> </div> </main> </div> <div class="govuk-width-container"> <div data-module="feedback ga4-event-tracker" class="gem-c-feedback govuk-!-display-none-print"> <div class="gem-c-feedback__prompt gem-c-feedback__js-show js-prompt" tabindex="-1"> <div class="gem-c-feedback__prompt-content"> <div class="gem-c-feedback__prompt-questions js-prompt-questions" hidden> <div class="gem-c-feedback__prompt-question-answer"> <h2 class="gem-c-feedback__prompt-question">Is this page useful?</h2> <ul class="gem-c-feedback__option-list"> <li class="gem-c-feedback__option-list-item govuk-visually-hidden" hidden> <a class="gem-c-feedback__prompt-link" role="button" hidden="hidden" aria-hidden="true" href="/contact/govuk"> Maybe </a> </li> <li class="gem-c-feedback__option-list-item"> <button class="govuk-button gem-c-feedback__prompt-link js-page-is-useful" data-ga4-event='{"event_name":"form_submit","type":"feedback","text":"Yes","section":"Is this page useful?","tool_name":"Is this page useful?"}'> Yes <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">this page is useful</span> </button> </li> <li class="gem-c-feedback__option-list-item"> <button class="govuk-button gem-c-feedback__prompt-link js-toggle-form js-page-is-not-useful" aria-controls="page-is-not-useful" aria-expanded="false" data-ga4-event='{"event_name":"form_submit","type":"feedback","text":"No","section":"Is this page useful?","tool_name":"Is this page useful?"}'> No <span class="govuk-visually-hidden">this page is not useful</span> </button> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="gem-c-feedback__prompt-questions gem-c-feedback__prompt-success js-prompt-success" role="alert" hidden> Thank you for your feedback </div> <div class="gem-c-feedback__prompt-questions gem-c-feedback__prompt-questions--something-is-wrong js-prompt-questions" hidden> <button class="govuk-button gem-c-feedback__prompt-link js-toggle-form js-something-is-wrong" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="something-is-wrong" data-ga4-event='{"event_name":"form_submit","type":"feedback","text":"Report a problem with this page","section":"Is this page useful?","tool_name":"Is this page useful?"}'> Report a problem with this page </button> </div> </div> </div> <form action="https://www.gov.uk/contact/govuk/problem_reports" id="something-is-wrong" class="gem-c-feedback__form js-feedback-form" method="post" hidden> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds"> <div class="gem-c-feedback__error-summary gem-c-feedback__js-show js-errors" tabindex="-1" hidden></div> <input type="hidden" name="url" value="https://www.gov.uk/government/case-studies/idea-stores-service-integration-with-libraries-and-learning"> <h3 class="gem-c-feedback__form-heading">Help us improve GOV.UK</h3> <p id="feedback_explanation" class="gem-c-feedback__form-paragraph">Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.</p> <div class="govuk-visually-hidden" aria-hidden="true"> <label for="giraffe">This field is for robots only. Please leave blank</label> <input id="giraffe" name="giraffe" type="text" pattern=".{0}" tabindex="-1" autocomplete="off"> </div> <div class="gem-c-textarea govuk-form-group govuk-!-margin-bottom-6"> <label for="textarea-4ab84020" class="gem-c-label govuk-label">What were you doing?</label> <textarea name="what_doing" class="govuk-textarea" id="textarea-4ab84020" rows="3" spellcheck="true" aria-describedby="feedback_explanation"> </textarea> </div> <div class="gem-c-textarea govuk-form-group govuk-!-margin-bottom-6"> <label for="textarea-c9dd9d62" class="gem-c-label govuk-label">What went wrong?</label> <textarea name="what_wrong" class="govuk-textarea" id="textarea-c9dd9d62" rows="3" spellcheck="true"> </textarea> </div> <button class="gem-c-button govuk-button" type="submit" data-ga4-event='{"event_name":"form_submit","type":"feedback","text":"Send","section":"Help us improve GOV.UK","tool_name":"Help us improve GOV.UK"}'>Send</button> <button class="govuk-button govuk-button--secondary gem-c-feedback__close gem-c-feedback__js-show js-close-form" aria-controls="something-is-wrong" aria-expanded="true"> Cancel </button> </div> </div> </form> <script nonce="rl+AdCjth0ZvlOT5RUp0lA=="> //<![CDATA[ document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function () { var input = document.querySelector("#giraffe"), form = document.querySelector("#something-is-wrong") form.addEventListener("submit", spamCapture); function spamCapture(e) { if (input.value.length !== 0) return; e.preventDefault(); } }); //]]> </script> <div id="page-is-not-useful" class="gem-c-feedback__form gem-c-feedback__form--email gem-c-feedback__js-show js-feedback-form"> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds" id="survey-wrapper"> <div class="gem-c-feedback__error-summary js-errors" tabindex="-1" hidden></div> <h3 class="gem-c-feedback__form-heading">Help us improve GOV.UK</h3> <p id="survey_explanation" class="gem-c-feedback__form-paragraph"> To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. <a href="https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/gov-uk-banner/?c=no-js" class="govuk-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer external">Please fill in this survey (opens in a new tab)</a>. </p> <button class="govuk-button govuk-button--secondary js-close-form" aria-controls="page-is-not-useful" aria-expanded="true" hidden> Cancel </button> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <footer data-module="ga4-link-tracker" class="gem-c-layout-footer govuk-footer gem-c-layout-footer--border" role="contentinfo"> <div class="govuk-width-container"> <div class="govuk-footer__navigation"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds govuk-!-display-none-print"> <h2 class="govuk-footer__heading govuk-heading-m">Services and information</h2> <ul class="govuk-footer__list govuk-footer__list--columns-2"> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index_link":"1","index_section":"1","index_section_count":"5","index_total":"16","section":"Services and information"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits">Benefits</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index_link":"2","index_section":"1","index_section_count":"5","index_total":"16","section":"Services and information"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/browse/births-deaths-marriages">Births, death, marriages and care</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index_link":"3","index_section":"1","index_section_count":"5","index_total":"16","section":"Services and information"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/browse/business">Business and self-employed</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index_link":"4","index_section":"1","index_section_count":"5","index_total":"16","section":"Services and information"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/browse/childcare-parenting">Childcare and parenting</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index_link":"5","index_section":"1","index_section_count":"5","index_total":"16","section":"Services and information"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/browse/citizenship">Citizenship and living in the UK</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index_link":"6","index_section":"1","index_section_count":"5","index_total":"16","section":"Services and information"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/browse/justice">Crime, justice and the law</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index_link":"7","index_section":"1","index_section_count":"5","index_total":"16","section":"Services and information"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/browse/disabilities">Disabled people</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index_link":"8","index_section":"1","index_section_count":"5","index_total":"16","section":"Services and information"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/browse/driving">Driving and transport</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index_link":"9","index_section":"1","index_section_count":"5","index_total":"16","section":"Services and information"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/browse/education">Education and learning</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index_link":"10","index_section":"1","index_section_count":"5","index_total":"16","section":"Services and information"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/browse/employing-people">Employing people</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index_link":"11","index_section":"1","index_section_count":"5","index_total":"16","section":"Services and information"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/browse/environment-countryside">Environment and countryside</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index_link":"12","index_section":"1","index_section_count":"5","index_total":"16","section":"Services and information"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/browse/housing-local-services">Housing and local services</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index_link":"13","index_section":"1","index_section_count":"5","index_total":"16","section":"Services and information"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/browse/tax">Money and tax</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index_link":"14","index_section":"1","index_section_count":"5","index_total":"16","section":"Services and information"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/browse/abroad">Passports, travel and living abroad</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index_link":"15","index_section":"1","index_section_count":"5","index_total":"16","section":"Services and information"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration">Visas and immigration</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index_link":"16","index_section":"1","index_section_count":"5","index_total":"16","section":"Services and information"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/browse/working">Working, jobs and pensions</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="govuk-grid-column-one-third govuk-!-display-none-print"> <h2 class="govuk-footer__heading govuk-heading-m">Government activity</h2> <ul class="govuk-footer__list govuk-footer__list--columns-1"> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index_link":"1","index_section":"2","index_section_count":"5","index_total":"8","section":"Government activity"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations">Departments</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index_link":"2","index_section":"2","index_section_count":"5","index_total":"8","section":"Government activity"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/search/news-and-communications">News</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index_link":"3","index_section":"2","index_section_count":"5","index_total":"8","section":"Government activity"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/search/guidance-and-regulation">Guidance and regulation</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index_link":"4","index_section":"2","index_section_count":"5","index_total":"8","section":"Government activity"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/search/research-and-statistics">Research and statistics</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index_link":"5","index_section":"2","index_section_count":"5","index_total":"8","section":"Government activity"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/search/policy-papers-and-consultations">Policy papers and consultations</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index_link":"6","index_section":"2","index_section_count":"5","index_total":"8","section":"Government activity"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/search/transparency-and-freedom-of-information-releases">Transparency</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index_link":"7","index_section":"2","index_section_count":"5","index_total":"8","section":"Government activity"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/government/how-government-works">How government works</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index_link":"8","index_section":"2","index_section_count":"5","index_total":"8","section":"Government activity"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/government/get-involved">Get involved</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <hr class="govuk-footer__section-break govuk-!-display-none-print"> <div class="govuk-footer__meta"> <div class="govuk-footer__meta-item govuk-footer__meta-item--grow"> <h2 class="govuk-visually-hidden">Support links</h2> <ul class="govuk-footer__inline-list govuk-!-display-none-print"> <li class="govuk-footer__inline-list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index_link":"1","index_section":"3","index_section_count":"5","index_total":"8","section":"Support links"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/help">Help</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__inline-list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index_link":"2","index_section":"3","index_section_count":"5","index_total":"8","section":"Support links"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/help/privacy-notice">Privacy</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__inline-list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index_link":"3","index_section":"3","index_section_count":"5","index_total":"8","section":"Support links"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/help/cookies">Cookies</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__inline-list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index_link":"4","index_section":"3","index_section_count":"5","index_total":"8","section":"Support links"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/help/accessibility-statement">Accessibility statement</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__inline-list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index_link":"5","index_section":"3","index_section_count":"5","index_total":"8","section":"Support links"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/contact">Contact</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__inline-list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index_link":"6","index_section":"3","index_section_count":"5","index_total":"8","section":"Support links"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/help/terms-conditions">Terms and conditions</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__inline-list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" lang="cy" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index_link":"7","index_section":"3","index_section_count":"5","index_total":"8","section":"Support links"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/cymraeg">Rhestr o Wasanaethau Cymraeg</a> </li> <li class="govuk-footer__inline-list-item"> <a class="govuk-footer__link" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"footer","index_link":"8","index_section":"3","index_section_count":"5","index_total":"8","section":"Support links"}' href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/government-digital-service">Government Digital Service</a> </li> </ul> <svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" class="govuk-footer__licence-logo" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewbox="0 0 483.2 195.7" height="17" width="41"> <path fill="currentColor" d="M421.5 142.8V.1l-50.7 32.3v161.1h112.4v-50.7zm-122.3-9.6A47.12 47.12 0 0 1 221 97.8c0-26 21.1-47.1 47.1-47.1 16.7 0 31.4 8.7 39.7 21.8l42.7-27.2A97.63 97.63 0 0 0 268.1 0c-36.5 0-68.3 20.1-85.1 49.7A98 98 0 0 0 97.8 0C43.9 0 0 43.9 0 97.8s43.9 97.8 97.8 97.8c36.5 0 68.3-20.1 85.1-49.7a97.76 97.76 0 0 0 149.6 25.4l19.4 22.2h3v-87.8h-80l24.3 27.5zM97.8 145c-26 0-47.1-21.1-47.1-47.1s21.1-47.1 47.1-47.1 47.2 21 47.2 47S123.8 145 97.8 145"></path> </svg> <span class="govuk-footer__licence-description" data-ga4-track-links-only data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","section":"Licence","index_section":"4","index_link":"1","index_section_count":"5","text":"Open Government Licence v3.0","index_total":"1","type":"footer"}'> All content is available under the <a class="govuk-footer__link" href="https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/" rel="license">Open Government Licence v3.0</a>, except where otherwise stated </span> </div> <div class="govuk-footer__meta-item" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","section":"Copyright","index_section":"5","index_link":"1","index_section_count":"5","text":"© Crown copyright","index_total":"1","type":"footer"}'> <a class="govuk-footer__link govuk-footer__copyright-logo" href="https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/information-management/re-using-public-sector-information/uk-government-licensing-framework/crown-copyright/">© Crown copyright</a> </div> </div> </div> </footer> <script src="/assets/static/application-8b506a2d97561cfc27d896eb0ff908d7687d034da7eaee59dd291c6c00bf5595.js" type="module"></script> <script src="/assets/government-frontend/application-01a60bd9634d5b54b3f79c12cb1b2d95f8b00bbd24b9b2cf897066f58f75f432.js" type="module"></script><script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.gov.uk/government/case-studies/idea-stores-service-integration-with-libraries-and-learning" }, "name": "Idea Stores: service integration with libraries and learning", "datePublished": "2016-11-30T13:54:56+00:00", "dateModified": "2016-11-30T13:54:53+00:00", "text": "Service integration of libraries and adult and community education services in Tower Hamlets", "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "GOV.UK", "url": "https://www.gov.uk", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/govuk_publishing_components/govuk-logo-b15a4d254746d1642b8187217576d1e8fe50b51352d352fda13eee55d3c1c80a.png" } }, "image": [ "https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/image_data/file/58674/s300_idea_store_whitechapel_for_GOV.UK.jpg" ], "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Department for Digital, Culture, Media \u0026 Sport", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-digital-culture-media-sport" }, "isPartOf": [ { "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "CreativeWork", "sameAs": "https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/libraries-shaping-the-future-report-and-case-studies" } ], "about": [ { "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "Thing", "sameAs": "https://www.gov.uk/society-and-culture/library-services" } ], "headLine": "Idea Stores: service integration with libraries and learning", "description": "Service integration of libraries and adult and community education services in Tower Hamlets", "articleBody": "\u003cdiv class=\"govspeak\"\u003e\u003ch2 id=\"context\"\u003eContext\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.ideastore.co.uk/\" class=\"govuk-link\"\u003eIdea Store\u003c/a\u003e project shows how an innovative approach transformed an unpopular library service. It involved the integration of Tower Hamlet’s libraries and adult and community education services, and housing the integrated service in dedicated buildings.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn the late 1990s, the usage levels in Tower Hamlets’ libraries were lower than other local councils and falling. Under 20% of the population used a library – though there were more libraries per head of population than in any inner London Borough. Geographical distance from people’s homes was not the overriding factor in usage. The library buildings were not in the right places and often in poor condition, with high maintenance costs. Staff were spread thinly so opening hours were short and inconvenient – and published hours were not always maintained.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAlongside this, the council’s adult education service was facing similar problems: with low take up and buildings not in the right place. The network had developed in a largely ad hoc way with 6 council run adult education centres and a further 40 outreach sites.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTower Hamlets has some of the highest levels of social deprivation anywhere in Europe and the population has some of the highest basic skills needs in the country. A \u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.ideastore.co.uk/assets/documents/misc/A_Library_and_Lifelong_Learning_Development_Strategy_for_Tower_Hamlets(1).pdf.\" class=\"govuk-link\"\u003esurvey by the Basic Skills Agency\u003c/a\u003e in 1998 demonstrated the extent of the need for literacy and numeracy in the borough. The average ward in England showed 14% of the population needing basic skills. The average ward in Tower Hamlets showed that 24% needed basic skills. Tower Hamlets also contained the ward with the greatest need in the country, Spitalfields with 27%.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"the-idea-store-project\"\u003eThe Idea Store project\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 id=\"library-service-review\"\u003eLibrary service review\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe council wanted to provide a library service that met the needs of the local community. In early 1998 the Customer Services Directorate conducted a market research programme, a road show and a publicity campaign. They wanted to give every resident and library user the opportunity to contribute to the review and future development of their library service. Approximately one in ten households took part.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe market research included interviews and questionnaires. It told the council that local people really did value libraries (something that couldn’t be assumed given the low levels of use) but they wanted libraries to fit in with their lives. It was also clear that retaining existing buildings was not a high priority for most people, which could have been a reflection of the poor location of most of them. People wanted:\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003elibraries in the right location\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003elonger opening hours\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003ebetter book stock\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003ebetter IT\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eaccess to council services and information\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 id=\"launch-of-the-idea-store-concept\"\u003eLaunch of the Idea Store concept\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eResults from the library and adult education review led to a rethink of how the service was delivered. There was a clear overlap between the 2 services and opportunities from integration. In April 1999 the council’s Arts, Leisure and Sports Committee and Youth and Community Services Committee developed a \u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"http://www.ideastore.co.uk/assets/documents/misc/A_Library_and_Lifelong_Learning_Development_Strategy_for_Tower_Hamlets(1).pdf\" class=\"govuk-link\"\u003estrategy\u003c/a\u003e to bring the 2 together to become a single service, the Idea Store. It was officially launched by Chris Smith, then Secretary of State for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, with £20 million funding from Tower Hamlets council.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 id=\"service-integration\"\u003eService integration\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTower Hamlet’s vision was for a visit to the library and lifelong learning centres to become a regular part of people’s lives – to act as a focus as well as a resource for the whole community - with the Idea Stores engaging people that other services didn’t reach.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMarket research had shown the importance of good locations. Following the retail principles the 7 proposed Idea Stores were to be sited in prominent, convenient positions, with a similar format and contents, while reflecting the local context. The first prototype Idea Store at Bow opened in 2002, 3 years after the initial concept had been developed. Idea Store Bow was located in the middle of a busy shopping centre, next door to a supermarket - designed to fit conveniently into people’s lives and able to attract passers-by. This model was followed in the next Idea Stores: Chrisp Street in 2004, Idea Store Whitechapel in 2005, Canary Wharf in 2006 and Idea Store Watney Market in 2013.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTower Hamlets kept the local community engaged and updated throughout the process. A magazine explaining the new Idea Stores was published regularly from 2000. The council also stated that no existing library would close until its replacement was opened.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDesign of the buildings and the brand was important to get service integration right. The council worked with design and architecture firm Bissett Adams and award-winning architect David Adjaye. Idea Store branding was used on all signage and publications (print and digital), as well as on the uniforms worn by customer-facing staff. Idea Stores removed standard issue library furniture, badly-designed posters and piles of leaflets. Books were arranged in a similar way to bookshops with a lot of face-on display and a large amount of space dedicated to promoting new and core stock. All Idea Stores were established with long standard opening hours. This was central to creating a place that was attractive and somewhere people would want to spend time.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAdult and community education classrooms, or ‘learning labs’ are visible (not located on a separate floor), to demonstrate what opportunities are available and each lab has a displayed timetable. When the labs are not in use for classes they are opened up and made available to people as a quiet space for study or reading. The Idea Stores don’t see ‘learners’ and ‘library users’ as separate people. Similarly customer facing staff (working across the service) deal with both learning and library and information matters - although classes are run by professional teachers.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOne effect of running an integrated service - bringing together staff from 2 different working backgrounds – has been to question why things are done the way they are. Such as rules seen as unnecessary have been removed as well as charges on library loans for example CDs and DVDs.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"achievements\"\u003eAchievements\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSince the opening of the first Idea Store at Bow visitor numbers have increased. Previously, annual figures were around 500,000, this rose to more than 2 million after the fifth Idea Store was opened at Watney Market in 2013. Issues and enrolments on adult education classes have also increased – and from a smaller number of buildings.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe council has made no cuts in opening hours or replaced paid staff by volunteers (although there is an extensive volunteer programme). Local people value the service; 92% rated Idea Stores as ‘good’ or ‘very good’ in the 2014/15 CIPFA Public Library User Survey. Idea Store is the highest rated council service in the council’s own Annual Residents Survey and there is a 98.9% learner satisfaction for Idea Store Learning, making Tower Hamlets the second highest rated council in England.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThere has also been a significant amount of international recognition with regular requests for tours by library professionals and politicians from around the world. Idea Stores have featured in library school textbooks (in places such as Korea and Catalonia) and Idea Store staff have been invited to speak to audiences in Europe, Asia and the USA.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe £4.5 million Idea Store Watney was jointly funded by the Big Lottery Fund and Tower Hamlets council.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"plans-for-the-future\"\u003ePlans for the future\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe library service is still looking for 2 locations for the remaining Idea Stores. The libraries won’t close down until they’ve been replaced.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThere is now further integration of libraries and adult and community education, with\nstaff from across the service working together on joint projects including health, employability and digital inclusion. For example, the Idea Store health strategy demonstrates a coherent offer under one roof that includes a wide range of services, health information, fitness classes, therapeutic reading groups, healthy eating, dance, and bibliotherapy. They receive Public Health funding for Health Outreach workers operating out of Idea Stores.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"further-information\"\u003eFurther information\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIdea Store strategy documents:\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eIdea Store \u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.ideastore.co.uk/assets/documents/IdeaStoreStrategyAppx1CAB290709(1).pdf\" class=\"govuk-link\"\u003estrategy\u003c/a\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.ideastore.co.uk/assets/documents/misc/A_Library_and_Lifelong_Learning_Development_Strategy_for_Tower_Hamlets(1).pdf\" class=\"govuk-link\"\u003eA Library and Lifelong Learning Development Strategy for Tower Hamlets\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eInformation on the Idea Store from:\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"http://www.cilip.org.uk/blog/public-library-innovation-idea-stores-so-last-century\" class=\"govuk-link\"\u003eCILIP\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"http://www.publiclibrariesnews.com/practitioners/new-libraries/idea-stores-what-the-ideas-are-and-why-its-important\" class=\"govuk-link\"\u003ePublic Library News\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"call-to-action\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContact info: \u003ca href=\"mailto:Ideastore@towerhamlets.gov.uk\" class=\"govuk-link\"\u003eIdeastore@towerhamlets.gov.uk\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e" } </script><script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "item": { "name": "Home", "@id": "https://www.gov.uk/" } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "item": { "name": "Society and culture", "@id": "https://www.gov.uk/society-and-culture" } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "item": { "name": "Arts and culture", "@id": "https://www.gov.uk/society-and-culture/arts-and-culture" } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "item": { "name": "Library services", "@id": "https://www.gov.uk/society-and-culture/library-services" } } ] } </script> </body> </html>