Sporting Communities has been appointed by Derby City Council to run ten Community Libraries.

This follows the collapse of the previous arrangement with Direct Help and Advice.

Sporting Communities has developed a reputation in the last 10 years of competent community development, tackling youth crime in the most deprived areas and improving social inclusion. Their approach is centred on listening to the needs of individuals, and the community, and building a provision to meet that demand. Sporting Communities works with academics bringing the latest thinking into their strategies focussing on sustainability which gives them credibility with national funders.

One of their earlier projects was covered by Derby News in 2019:

Sporting Communities – Cook, Eat, Play in Chaddesden Park

In the last few years Sporting Communities has taken on Normanton Park Community Centre and developed a vibrant service that was lacking in the area. It was instrumental in establishing the Play Zone in the park ; further developments are in the pipeline.

Derby’s first “Playzone” opens in Normanton Park

Whilst Sporting Communities are not experts in Library management, it will have support from professionals. The original concept of a Community Managed Library was to develop the space into a hub for a range of services important to the local residents rather then just being a place for borrowing books.

In discussion with the Managing Director of Sporting Communities, Ben Rigby, he spoke passionately and enthusiastically about the opportunities that his organisation can bring to the 10 libraries. First and foremost he wants to listen to the local community to maximise insight, especially from those who are currently volunteering; to include a review of the opening times to optimise the service availability. Each space has different opportunities.

Whilst reading and book lending will be at the heart of the programme, he believes that there is more to offer for the community. By increasing the footfall in libraries it will encourage people to be inquisitive, ask questions, become interested in reading and get involved.

Partnering with existing programmes and Youth and Children’s Services will create better educational opportunities. But it’s not just about young people; libraries can represent a social opportunity for many, and quiet spaces for meeting and reading.

Comment

Derby News has previously raised many questions about Community Managed Libraries (CML). 23 articles were written between 2016 and 2020 challenging the implementation planning at the time, especially the Council’s poor consideration of Data Protection (GDPR).

DHA was a very capable legal and housing advice centre; it didn’t have the necessary experience and infrastructure to deliver the full CML model and concept. This was exacerbated by the Council’s poor management and financing arrangeements.

There is no question that Sporting Communities has the community development competence to make the 10 CML’s work. It has the credibility to attract funding for its creative ideas; it has a record for delivering.

Selecting Sporting Communities provides the best opportunity for the City to have a sustainable Library service and one that becomes a modern and inclusive environment. It just needs the Council to be practical in the discussions over the next few months to ensure that a great opportunity is not strangulated by bureaucracy and technical detail and that the handover on 31 March 2025 is the start of an optimistic future for Libraries in Derby.

Note:

The 10 Community Managed Libraries are Allestree, Allenton, Blagreaves, Chaddesden Park, Chellaston, Derwent Community Library, Mackworth, Sinfin, Spondon and Springwood (Oakwood).

Derby’s five statutory libraries (Alvaston, Normanton, Mickleover, Riverside and Local Studies) will continue to be operated by Derby City Council.