Response to East Sussex County Council Library Services Consultation

Q1 We agree with the priorities identified by ESCC for library services in the county. (literacy/access to health & well-being info, contributing to economic growth/digital inclusion)

Q2 We disagree that the proposals outlined will enable these objectives to be met with regard to low income individuals and families living in rural areas.

For those living in isolated communities with a limited income the library service provides a vital lifeline, particularly when it comes to accessing on line services and developing their digital capability.

There are 3 issues.

First, those on a low income are:

  • Less likely to have access to a car(e.g. more than 1 in 10 of all Wealden households have no access to a car)
  • Less likely to have access to broadband at home
  • More likely to suffer from poor health, which may impact on their ability to use the limited public transport services available – 17.5% of Wealden residents are living with a long term health condition or disability which impacts on their day to day lives.

This means that the Council’s approach of reducing locations, moving to more on line services, and particularly removing the mobile library service will disproportionately negatively impact those on a low income in rural communities. We are particularly concerned about those living with dementia and their carers, the number of whom is growing and who may find it particularly hard to manage infrequent public transport. – just under 3,000 people in Wealden alone are living with dementia

Second, the move to a greater reliance on e-based services assumes that residents across the county have access to effective mobile/broadband services – which is far from the case. In a 2016 survey by Wealden District Council 64% of respondents negatively rated their mobile phone reception for 3G, 4G, or 5G internet connection at their home, work, or school locations and 59% negatively rated their reception for calls and texts. 20% had no mobile phone reception at all for internet and 14% had none for calls/texts at these locations.

62% of respondents to Wealden’s survey reported home internet connections that did not reach Ofcom’s “acceptable” minimum download speed of 10Mbps. For these people being able to access the internet at the local library is a lifeline, especially where this is essential to secure benefits which require an online application/maintenance process.

Third, the Library Service provides much needed support for those with limited IT capabilities to enable them to access on-line services. We make regular referrals to the IT for You service and digital volunteers, without whom some of our clients would have been unable to negotiate on line platforms for essential services. This service has been widely praised and would be inaccessible for some if local libraries close.

In addition libraries have huge potential as a community resource, especially in locations where venues are scarce. We have run educational sessions such as money matters courses and energy advice sessions in libraries, for example, and there will be other events which libraries have hosted/could host to provide support to local communities such as half term reading activities, talks/meetings of local groups for older people helping combat social isolation.

While we recognise the statistical arguments put forward by the Council and the pressures on Council finances we do not feel that these proposals take account of the fact that those who will be impacted by these changes may be those least able to access the Council’s proposed alternatives. We believe this may result in exactly the digital exclusion and inequitable access to information for the most vulnerable members of rural communities that these proposals are seeking to avoid.