1. What is the name of the policy that is being assessed?
People’s Network (including public internet access in libraries)
2. What are the aims of the policy? Whose needs is it designed to meet? What are the current priorities?
The People’s Network was originally installed with New Opportunities Fund lottery funding as part of a scheme to install public internet access into every public library in the UK.
It is designed to provide free access for all members of the community living and working in Wiltshire to ensure those without their own PCs and internet/broadband access are not disadvantaged. This includes children with homework to complete, adults who need to find information, produce CVs, or undertake web-based learning, and migrant workers communicating with home. The People’s Network supports communication, cultural identity, and e-government.
The provision of 144 PCs in 31 libraries supports the Council’s egovernment role.
3. In what ways might this policy or service affect some groups of people differently? Might some groups find it harder to access the service? Do some groups have particular needs that are not well met by the current policy or service?
Racial/ethnic groups
Language barriers may make it harder to understand about services available and how to access them. The service makes available information about the library service and People’s Network in a range of languages on its website. The People’s Network supports communication with friends worldwide, and also access to a range of cultural websites.
Gender
Whilst it is not possible to identify the usage patterns by gender from statistics available, it is difficult to identify any way in which access to the service could be inequitable. Visually surveying the people using the service in various branches at various times of the day, the balance would appear to be equal between the genders.
Disability
All libraries comply with DDA regulations in terms of access. All workstations have DDA compliant desks, and usually almost a metre of desk space (width). Our 10 largest libraries offer Dolphin Supernova software which will magnify the screen greatly for those with visual impairment.
Sexual orientation
Access is equitable. Websites available on the People’s Network are filtered using a system implemented in schools. The library service can override this filtering for sites it chooses. It is possible that bisexual, gay or lesbian related sites may activate filtering software, in some cases, though the service has actively unblocked any site which is linked to from the community information database, and which is acknowledged to be a national resource. Any request for a site to be unblocked will be considered by library staff in relation to the Internet Access Policy.
Religion/belief
Access is equitable. Websites available on the People’s Network are filtered using a system implemented in schools. The library service can override this filtering for sites it chooses. It is possible that some sites related to religion/belief may activate filtering software, though the software is only designed to block sites which promote religious intolerance. Any request for a site to be unblocked will be considered by library staff in relation to the Internet Access Policy.
Age
15% of users are 15 and under, 85% over. It is not possible with current statistics to identify a usage pattern by age, though “taster sessions” aim to encourage use by older people during “Silver Surfer Day” and throughout the year. Visual evidence would suggest a spread of usage by age.
4. What evidence do you have for your judgement? Is there evidence of public concern (e.g. complaints)? Have staff raised concerns? Is there local or national research to suggest that there could be a problem?
Complaints from members of the public tend to relate to facilities available (e.g. no ability to burn to CD, no colour printing). We are not aware of any complaints regarding access issues, or services necessary for particular groups.
Racial/ethnic groups
Recent partnership work involving the County Children and Young People’s Librarian and the Ethnic Minority Achievement Service (EMAS) has highlighted the lack of knowledge and cultural factors that might deter families from using libraries. The Library Service is planning to work more closely with EMAS to devise methods to promote library services to these communities, to help break down any such barriers.
Gender
Population and library membership/borrowing/usage statistics for library use, currently not transferable to People’s Network usage other than for under 16s.
Disability
Libraries are DDA compliant in terms of access. No specific consultation or data for services through the People’s Network.
Sexual orientation
This group has not specifically been consulted, though it is possible previous consultation events have included bisexual, gay and lesbian people. One conversation with a user by telephone enabled us to respond to those issues, and broaden the number of sites we can ensure access to.
Religion/belief
Previous consultation open to this group, though not specifically targeted. No data.
Age
Various reports can be drawn about the usage of under 16s and over 16s, though this cannot currently be broken down into smaller age bands for adults.
5. Who have you consulted with as part of your assessment? What were the results? Have you published the results of that consultation? If so, where?
The assessment is based on known facts, previous consultation (e.g. with users under the age of 50, and users over the age of 50) and professional knowledge. However, it is our intention to undertake a questionnaire of a wider number as part of the various actions in section 9.
6. If you have found that the policy or service might have an adverse impact on a particular group of people, can you justify this?
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7. If the impact cannot be justified, what do you intend to do about this? Are there changes that you could introduce which would make the policy or service work better for this group of people? Is further research or consultation required?
Further research and consultation is required in four areas.
Racial/ethnic groups
The Library Service is planning to work more closely with EMAS to devise methods to promote library services to these communities, to help break down any such barriers.
See action – section 9
Disability
We need to explore what needs there are and if we are the most appropriate service to meet these needs. Usage of current assistive technology is low and we need to explore whether this equates to low demand, or lack of promotion/training.
Age
We will continue to ensure taster sessions are designed to appeal to a wide variety of the public, based on further consultation.
8. How will you monitor the take-up or impact of the policy or service in future?
- Data from Library Management system, e.g. membership, usage, once new software fix put in place.
- Attendance at library activities/promotions and feedback from attendees.
- Feedback from partners such as EMAS
- Other consultations e.g. focus groups and questionnaire
9. What actions do you plan to take as a result of this equality impact assessment? Please state any resource implications
Actions
General
- A general customer questionnaire about how the service is viewed by customers as a whole.
- Work to enable a write-field from Netloan booking management software into Galaxy so we can more accurately snapshot demographic information about our users
Racial/ethnic groups
CLS Equality Priority 5 – Libraries will work closely with Ethnic Minority Achievement Service to ensure that children and young people from minority groups are supported in reading and other activities, targets:
- Creating SMART Action Plan with EMAS partners to be reviewed quarterly based on their information about how to attract and be accessible to a wide range of ethnic/racial groups
Disability
- To undertake targeted research and consultation with specific reference to range of need and likelihood of take up, considering user-education and staff training implications.
Age
- ·To continue to ensure taster sessions target the widest possible age range of users
Resource implications
Staff time/capacity to achieve these targets, through management and also consultation costs.
Budget to buy new resources as appropriate, to create publicity/marketing and to organise events and promotions; staff time to be trained and act as trainers to ensure take up of any new resources.
10. There is a legal requirement to publish the outcomes of Equality Impact Assessments. Please outline how / where this will happen
Website.
11. Name of person completing form
Head of Reading and Library Services
Date assessment completed
11/10/06
12. Senior manager approval
Assistant Director Libraries & Heritage
Date
13/10/06
Contact Details (LiveLink)
Multiple Contacts:
eMail: equalities@wiltshire.gov.uk
Telephone:
Out of hours:
Fax:
Postal Address: Equality & Diversity Team
Wiltshire Council
County Hall
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14
8JN
In Person:
DX:
Last updated: 13 May 2009
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