Moray library service praised
MORAY Council’s libraries service has been praised following an evaluation by the Scottish Library and Information Council.
The assessment looked at two key indicators – meeting readers’ neededs and ethos and values.
A report, which will go before children and young people’s services committee on Wednesday, said aspects of the service were "clearly excellent."
Strengths identified during the visit in June include strong leadership with creative approaches to developing reader-centred services.
The Get Moray Reading initiatives, reader development specialist training and a wide range of reading groups are also commended.
Assesses against a six point scale the service received an excellent evaluation across all sections of meeting readers’ needs and very good in the three areas of ethos and values.
Councillor Jeff Hamilton, chairman of the children and young people’s services committee, said the assessment was clear evidence of the important part that libraries play in people’s lives and of the commitment and professionalism of libraries staff.
"What comes through loud and clear is how much communities value their libraries service, the very high quality of customer care from staff, the commitment of the service to reach out and engage with all sectors of the community in an informed and caring manner and the absolute importance of reading as an essential lifelong skill and pleasure," he said.
"There is also very good evidence of the libraries service’s effective partnerships."
Councillor Hamilton added: "This is a service we should be proud of and I would congratulate staff on ensuring we have one of the top library services in Scotland."
Alistair Campbell, the council’s libraries and museums manager, welcomed the report.
He said: "Staff are clearly delighted by these results but have also identified areas for improvement.
"We are committed to working even more effectively with users and non-users to develop appropriate provision and to ensure that our customer care is excellent at all times.
"While the evaluation is tremendously reassuring in respect of our reading provision, particularly following significantly reduced financial resources, it also reminds us of our continuous commitment to meet the needs of our communities and be a high performing service."
Areas the report highlights for improvement include developing an e-book service as well as continuing to engage with users and non-user to develop the service.