Unafraid of the future – Edinburgh´s next generation library and information services

Edinburgh library and information services have undergone a period of fundamental and wide reaching change to ensure it is fit for purpose in the 21st century. Libraries have achieved a high standard of excellence in the provision of information, reading, learning, and access to cultural and recreational services. The city of Edinburgh’s library and information service is delivering a new model for libraries across the city, based on a strategic approach which borrows from the retail sector and called “next generation library and information services”. Edinburgh recognises how effectively pushing the boundaries of public service delivery, creates more cost effective estates, builds stronger communities and promotes economic vitality through our 28 libraries. Driving a vision as hybrid libraries, which are a combination of a conventional library and a new electronic network library. To do all of this Edinburgh library and information service needed to consolidate the building blocks for change and scalability through the use of practical toolkits to support new ways of working and embed performance improvement As UK best library and information service 2012, uk public sector digital awards finalist and 3 times libraries change lives winner our cutting-edge use of technology and innovative use of electronic information and social media is changing the way we deliver services and increasing performance City of Edinburgh library service is bucking the trend and we have built 2 innovative new library hubs in Drumbrae and Craigmillar as ideal examples of the model of future services for us. Innovation in interior designs has also made our spaces much more targeted and attractive. Other new refurbished libraries are bright and welcoming environment with new heating systems, improved lighting levels, redecoration, new zoned flooring, and modern internal design including vinyl window graphics, large-scale photographic wall images and a simple signage solution.