www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Equality Impact Assessment - Mobile Libraries
1. What is the name of the policy or service that is being assessed?
Mobile Libraries
2. What are the aims of the policy or service? Whose needs is it designed to meet? What are the current priorities?
Five Mobile Libraries deliver a service to rural and urban communities throughout Wiltshire. There are four general Mobiles visiting communities and schools on a two week timetable and a Homes Mobile which visits Residential Homes, sheltered accommodation and day centres on a four week schedule. The purpose of our Mobile service is to widen access to library materials and information sources for people who cannot easily use a static library - our customers may be disadvantaged due to age, disability or lack of transport. Our current priority is to increase the take-up of this service.
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?
Disability
All Mobile vehicles are designed to allow access for the ambulatory disabled and those in wheelchairs. Loop systems are fitted around the counter areas for the hearing impaired. Large print books and audiobooks are available for those with visual impairments. Paperless registration eases enrolment for many disabled people. Borrowing concessions are in place for those who are disabled in some way – this gives free requests and free hire of audiovisual material.
Gender
The stock carried is chosen to reflect the reading interests of men and women
Racial/Ethnic Groups
Books in a variety of languages are available to reserve through the County request system. Bollywood films can likewise be requested. The staff will provide a suitable service where there is an expressed demand; for example a collection of books in a particular language could be carried on a Mobile as and when required.
Sexual Orientation
Books are stocked to provide a representative range of fiction authors and subjects; the whole range of relevant titles is available through the request system.
Religion/Belief
A small number of titles are stocked on Mobiles. The whole range of relevant titles is available through the request system
Age
Childrens and adult books suitable for all ages are carried on the Mobiles
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?
There is no evidence of public concern about these equality issues and staff have not raised any relevant matters.
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?
Customers of Mobile libraries are consulted yearly on the service they receive and they have an opportunity to raise any matter of concern to them. Parish Councils are also consulted at this time and can advise on local requirements. In addition every three years the CIPFA survey customers are asked detailed questions about their use of library services and no equality concerns have been expressed.
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?
N/A
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?
N/A
8. How will you monitor the take-up or impact of the policy or service in future?
- Data from library management system
- Annual Mobile Library survey to customers and Parish Councils – autumn 2007
- Staff feedback
9. What actions do you plan to take as a result of this equality impact assessment? Please state any resource implications.
- Planning of new vehicles to incorporate all suitable disability adaptations that may be developed in the future
- Deliver disability awareness training session to all Mobile staff by 10.07
- Deliver a Customer Care session focussing on equality and diversity to all Mobile staff by 10.07
If these sessions are added to regular staff meetings, no extra resources should be required
10. There is a legal requirement to publish the outcomes of Equality Impact Assessments. Please outline how / where this will happen.
Wiltshire County Council web-site
11. Name of person completing form
Senior Librarian Special Services
Date assessment completed:
19/02/07
12. Senior manager approval
Assistant Director Libraries & Heritage
Date:
23.2.2007
Contact Details
By Post
Equality & Diversity Team
Development Services
Wiltshire County Council
County Hall
Bythesea Road
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 8JN
By Email
By Telephone
01225 713510
By Hand
County Hall, Trowbridge
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm
