Janene Cox Assistant Director Culture and Libraries Staffordshire County Council

5. Most popular LAA indicators: Health Safety Young people Community Housing Plus the 16 mandatory education ones supporting children�s achievement

6. Relevant PSAs from the Comprehensive Spending Review Children and young people PSA 10: Raise the educational achievement of children PSA 11: Narrow the gap in educational achievement for disadvantaged children PSA 12: Improve the health and well being of children and young people PSA 13: Improve children�s and young people�s safety PSA 14: Increase the number of children and young people on the path to success Communities PSA 15: Address the disadvantage that individuals experience because of their gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation , religion or belief PSA 18: Promote better health and well-being for all PSA 21: Build more cohesive, empowered and active communities PSA 23: Make communities safer Older people PSA 17: Tackle poverty and promote greater independence and well-being in later life Learning and skills PSA 2: to improve skills PSA 7: economic performance PSA 16: Increase the proportion of socially excluded adults in settled accommodation and employment, education or training

7. National Year of Reading Is focusing on PSA 11 (narrowing the gap) in relation to key target audiences: Early Years BME Children and communities (Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Eastern European) KS3 boys White working class boys (free school meals) Disabled children and parents (those with visual impairment; dyslexic children) Looked after children Parents and carers of younger children Working class fathers and young dads Adult Learners/ Skills for Life Adults

8. Where libraries can evidence their value: 1. Children

9. Summer Reading Challenge Research shows: 84% of children enjoy taking part in the Challenge �a lot�. 73% read 6 or more books (compared to only 30% of non participants) 80% believe that it makes them better readers. Participants� knowledge of authors and books rose by 10% compared to a drop of 15% for others* � They return to school� more mature�have a more enthusiastic attitude�and are more ready to learn.� Literacy co-ordinator *(Product Perceptions research report , 2006)

10. Children: Family reading Research shows Parents and children who read together have a head start in school (Wade & Moore, 2000) Parents supporting children�s reading is more important than wealth or social class (OECD 2002; Flouri & Buchanan, 2004) The earlier parents read with children, the greater and stronger the benefits (Mullis, Mullis, Cornille et al., 2004). Bookstart families read together more and visit the library more (Moore and Wade, 1997)

11. Libraries supporting schools: Motivating and developing readers CPD for teachers Curriculum support (stock, study support, class visits) Community partnerships, activities and support for extended services Family involvement Chatterbooks runs in 77% of UK authorities. Groups report children enjoying reading (100%) children gain reading confidence (98%) children read more widely (98%) children and families report a stronger sense of belonging to the community (51%)

12. Schools and extended schools �The Staffordshire Young Teenage Fiction Book Award enables youngsters to develop key and basic skills, it provides learning opportunities that are different to the national curriculum and it build upon learning experiences that are offered through statutory schooling� Secondary English Consultant, Staffordshire LA �The involvement of the library service in the Creative Partnerships garden of Imagination project enabled classroom teachers to make better use of the resources available�bringing in other experts and services to add value to the children�s experience of using the library � HeadTeacher, South Tyneside Study and homework support (Study Support, a national framework for extending opportunity, DfES, 2006) Find Your Talent programme and the five hours of culture offer For more see www.enjoyingreading.org.uk

13. Where libraries can evidence their value: Young people

14. Young people �It�s not a space that the adults have made � it�s for us by us. We�ve had the choice in terms of books and design and other things. We�ve made it, so it doesn�t look like what adults would think is kids� stuff. It�s cool, not kiddy stuff � it looks like a whole different area and it�s our area � you walk in and it�s obvious that it�s our space.� (Shaheen, Bolton) �I enjoy being involved with HeadSpace for what it is, but I think that the experience it is giving me is also a plus point�..it�s going to help me with what I want to do later on. (Ben, Buxton) Example indicators: Number and % of young people involved in library planning Number achieving accreditation for their involvement Number of libraries offering creative reading groups/activities for and with young people Young people actively engaged in library creative reading projects (eg groupthing)

15. Where libraries can evidence their value : 3. Communities, well being and older people Big Lottery Community Libraries Reading groups Reading Partners (Reader2Writer events) Volunteering Home delivery service Local community projects Books on prescription

16. Where libraries can evidence their value : 4. Learning, employment and skills 4.5 million people of working age in Britain possess no qualifications; 5.2 million are not functionally literate; (DIUS, January �08) Libraries make a difference: Reading for pleasure More than three-quarters of learners questioned felt that reading for pleasure provided enjoyment, inspiration and creativity, and improved their in literacy skills (NHM research, 2005) Developing the reading habit �To read six books is quite hard for some people.�� But once you've read one you have to go on to another to compare them.� It makes you appreciate books. You get a buzz out of it. � Six Book Challenge completer, Hull, 2008

17. Learning, employment and skills raising self esteem and aspirations �I never thought I could read one book, never mind six! I feel so proud. I�ve never felt so good about myself. I feel like I can do anything now.� (Six Book Challenge completer, Warrington, 2008) Developing skills Using the People�s Network to promote ICT skills and learning great learning spaces "I would not be able to do this at home as I could not afford it as I am unemployed. I am working towards going back to work by using the library." User, Walsall Example indicators: Six Book Challenge participants/completers Learners achieving Level 2 on completion of the Challenge

20. Janene.Cox@staffordshire.gov.uk Liz.dubber@readingagency.org.uk