Overview

The five Idea Stores developed by the London Borough of Tower Hamlets are a radical rethink of the traditional library concept. The highly accessible buildings combine a public library and state-of-the art learning spaces with community facilities.

Local people had become disengaged with Tower Hamlet\'s libraries, which were often in inconvenient locations, inaccessible for disabled people and in need of modernisation. Following a major public consultation, Tower Hamlets unveiled its plans to invest £30 million in a series of Idea Stores that would bring libraries up to date with modern lifestyles and community needs.

The first Idea Store opened in Bow in 2002. Over the next few years Idea Stores opened in Chrisp Street, Whitechapel and Canary Wharf. Located at the heart of communities, amongst supermarkets and other shops, Idea Stores make library and learning facilities available where people want to use them. They address the needs of diverse community groups, widening participation in lifelong learning and helping to strengthen community cohesion. Each one offers a convenient and accessible one-stop location for library, learning and information services.

Tower Hamlets had set out to double the use of library and adult education facilities across the borough within five years – and managed to exceed its own ambitious targets. Funding for the Idea Stores came from the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and a range of public and private sector organisations. The five-storey flagship Idea Store in Whitechapel was built by Verry Construction and designed by architects Adjaye Associates.

» Background

Background

Bridging the divide

The London Borough of Tower Hamlets has a population of 215,000 and almost half of its residents come from non-white backgrounds. The borough is characterised by a rich ethnic diversity and by two extremes: on one hand it's the fourth most deprived area in the UK, with unemployment at 22 per cent and low levels of literacy and numeracy; on the other, it's home to the thriving Docklands area, with its high concentration of media and financial services companies and luxury waterside apartments.

Community consultation

The council recognised the vital role that libraries can play in encouraging lifelong learning and breaking down cultural, social and economic boundaries but its library buildings were out-of-date, unwelcoming and often in inconvenient locations. As a result, only 20 per cent of Tower Hamlets residents were using their local library facilities.

Bright colours create a stimulating environment

Tower Hamlets Council carried out a major consultation exercise to find out what the community wanted from its library and learning services. As well as new buildings, modern technology and increased stock, the most important thing for many people was for libraries to be much more convenient to visit, with more central locations and longer opening hours. People also wanted to see education services being delivered within libraries. These findings fed into a combined Library and Lifelong Learning Development Strategy for Tower Hamlets and the creation of the Idea Store concept.

» The Impact

Overview «

The Impact

Greater participation

The development of the initial four Idea Stores has transformed library and information service performance from being the worst in London to one of the very best. Visitor numbers have increased from just over 500,000 in 1999 to 2 million in 2009. Latest figures also indicate Tower Hamlets is London’s third highest, fourth nationally, for the percentage of residents using library services. The proportion of residents who consider library provision to be good to excellent has also increased from a low of 35% in 2000/01 to a high of 59% in 2009/10.
Judith St John, Head of Idea Stores, said: ‘Our Idea Stores have gone from strength to strength to become not only unique venues for the delivery of shared services between local partners, but also social hubs that perform an essential duty of providing accessible and innovative spaces for people of all ages to learn and socialise together’.

A focus for community activity

By modelling Idea Stores on retail environments and building them in central community locations, they attract passers-by as well as regular visitors. Idea Store Whitechapel, for example, is next to Sainsbury's supermarket amongst Whitechapel Road's bustling shops and market stalls. Local resident Jocelia Nylander said: “It is not like any traditional library. The building really stands out and is inviting.”
Many people regularly visit their local Idea Store and make use of several services. “I visit the library twice a week since it opened – I do my shopping and then come here for a break. My children use the computers and we sit in a corner and read,” said community member Shahia Khan. “I particularly admire the language facility – Bengali is my mother tongue and I want my children to be able to speak it too. There are classes held here for my children to learn. I have even made enquiries for my mother-in-law to attend an English class which I read about here.”

» Good Practice

Background «

Good Practice

What can be learned from this project? 

• As well as the flagship Idea Store in Whitechapel, there are also Idea Stores in Bow, Chrisp Street and Canary Wharf. Each one offers a convenient and accessible one-stop location for library and learning services. Plans are underway to develop three further Idea Stores in the Isle of Dogs, Watney Market and Bethnal Green.
• Tower Hamlets Borough Council's libraries consultation exercise was one of the largest that any council has undertaken. It enabled the council to produce a combined Library and Lifelong Learning Strategy and develop a service that truly meets the needs of local people.
• The creation of the Idea Store ‘Metro’ concept will seek to build on the existing Idea Store brand by providing a smaller and more flexible generation of Idea Store provision. These will adopt a convenience store model, previously developed by major super market chains. The ‘Metro’ concept will deliver a high quality core service offer from easily located venues within existing town centres.
• While attracting new audiences was a top priority for the Idea Stores, it was also important to retain existing users who were used to a more traditional approach. The Idea Stores developed a range of initiatives with these users in mind, including reading groups encompassing all aspects and levels of literature.
• The council engaged top architects to create high quality buildings that would be fun and stimulating places to visit, with bright colours, natural light and lots of glass. Each Idea Store is an accessible, attractive and contemporary space that encourages people to discover more about the library and its learning services. Borrowing ideas from the retail sector, such as having floorwalkers and uniforms for staff, has made it easier for people to find what they need. The Whitechapel and Chrisp Street Idea Stores both received RIBA design awards.

» Reference

The Impact «

Reference

Contact details:

Ian McNicol
Head of Idea Stores
020 7364 5694

Shadwell Centre
The Highway
London
E1W 3HP

Judith St. John Head of Idea Store 020 7364 5630
Shadwell Centre, 455 The Highway, London E1W 3HP

Good Practice «