Corporate report

Minutes of the thirteenth meeting of the Libraries Taskforce

Published 12 April 2017

Meeting date: Wednesday 29 March 2017: 11.00 to 16.00

Location: The Hive, The Butts, Worcester, WR1 3PD

Attendees

• Kathy Settle - Chief Executive, Libraries Taskforce (acting Chair)
• Brian Ashley - Director, Libraries, Arts Council England
• Jane Ellison - Head of Creative Partnerships, BBC
• Ian Leete - Senior Policy Adviser, Local Government Association (LGA)
• Neil MacInnes - President, Society of Chief Librarians (SCL); Strategic Lead – Libraries, Galleries and Culture, Manchester
• Simon Richardson - Head of Libraries, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)
• Iain Varah - Chief Executive, Vision Redbridge Culture and Leisure; Immediate Past Chair, Chief Cultural & Leisure Officers Association
• Liz White - Head of Strategy Development, British Library
• Sue Wilkinson - Chief Executive, The Reading Agency
• Julia Chandler - Communications Lead, Libraries Taskforce
• Charlotte Lane - Programme and Project Manager, Libraries Taskforce
• Foluke Oshin - Business Support, Libraries Taskforce
• Sheila Bennett - Policy and Secretariat Manager, Libraries Taskforce

Observers/presenters

• Ayub Khan - Warwickshire Library Service, and Society of Chief Librarians’ lead on the Digital Universal Offer (for item 3)
• Vivienne Li - Department for Education
• Nick Partridge - Taskforce secondee, Sheffield Library Service

Apologies

• Dr Paul Blantern (Chair) - Chief Executive, Northamptonshire County Council
• Kim Bromley-Derry - Chief Executive, London Borough of Newham
• Rebecca Cox - Principal Policy Adviser, LGA
• Felix Greaves - Deputy Director of Science, Public Health England (PHE)
• Roly Keating - Chief Executive, British Library
• Dominic Lake - Deputy Director of Arts, Libraries & Cultural Property, DCMS
• Nick Poole - Chief Executive, The Library and Information Association (CILIP)

1. Introduction

The Taskforce received a presentation by, and had a discussion with, representatives of Worcestershire Libraries and Learning Service. The presentation covered the varied work their service was undertaking across the county, the challenges they face, and also the background to the establishment and development of the Hive. The Taskforce featured more background on this in its blog about this meeting.

The Hive is the only joint university and public library in England. The Taskforce noted that, because of the joint working between the university and the county council, the Hive was open 7 days a week, between 8.30am-10pm every day. Opened in 2012, the new library saw marked increases in members, visits and children’s borrowing compared to the previous central library. It is currently the 11th most visited library in the country, and has the 3rd highest number of book loans. The partnership had increased the resources that the library can offer; the Taskforce was particularly interested in the shared staffing model, where all staff were recruited and trained to be multi-skilled.

Across the other 20 libraries in the county, there were numerous different examples of collaboration and co-location, which varied according to community need. Wythall library was a joint provision with the Woodrush Academy, supported by the local community and parish council. Bewdley has a new library alongside a new local medical centre; and Jobcentre Plus is expanding from its existing co-location with the library in Malvern to do the same in Kidderminster and Redditch.

There was a wide-ranging discussion covering:

• the potential to promote, develop and expand thinking about following the Hive’s model of closer collaboration with further or higher education institutions
• ways to better evidence to commissioners the benefits of partnering with libraries on health and wellbeing work
• encouraging senior leaders from local government at both officer and councillor level to engage with partners such as Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to promote and encourage ‘Libraries First’ thinking

Worcestershire also suggested that the Taskforce might, at some stage, consider raising library sector concerns that they do not currently receive the same level of business rate relief as educational institutions or charities. It was recognised that changes to handling of business rates over the next few years (for example moving to retention by local government) may make any changes harder to achieve.

The Chair thanked Worcestershire Libraries and Learning Service for hosting the meeting, for the very stimulating discussion over lunch, and also for the later tour of the Hive.

2. Libraries Deliver: Ambition: Overview of the Action Plan

The Taskforce noted the action plan, roadmap and risk assessment documents which had been circulated. It also noted progress with the actions.

The Taskforce agreed:

• to feed in any further comments on the next steps for the actions direct to the Taskforce team Project Manager
• the suggested risk mitigations

3. Libraries Deliver: Ambition - Discussion on Outcome 3: Improved Digital Access and Literacy

The Taskforce has decided to focus each meeting on one or more of the 7 Outcomes. The fourth of these sessions, led by Neil MacInnes, focussed on Outcome 3: Improved digital access and literacy.

The aim of these session is for the Taskforce to:

• gain a shared understanding of what each Outcome covers, and the opportunities and challenges involved in meeting the ambitions set out for 2021
• learn about some of the different facets of work involved in taking the Outcome forward
• consider how members could contribute to and support this work over the coming year

The Taskforce received a presentation from Ayub Khan, who outlined the work that had already been undertaken by SCL to develop the Digital Universal Offer. The digital skills training that had been provided to staff at various levels, so they could, in turn, provide training and support to users, had been recognised within the recently published UK Digital Strategy. This had committed to develop the role of libraries in improving digital inclusion to make them the ‘go-to’ provider of digital access, training and support for local communities.

He also described SCL’s plans to develop the Offer further. These included:

• making digital resources more easily accessible to library users - for example undertaking proof of concept work in Bournemouth on the feasibility of introducing digital single sign-on arrangements for accessing resources held in a variety of separate systems (interim findings were due in the autumn)
• discussions with suppliers on how to make library collections more visible on the internet, for example via Google searches
• using Arts Council funding to run ‘digital showrooms’ to help users better understand the technology available to them and encourage them to try it out and learn what might be useful for their needs

Brian Ashley updated the Taskforce on work to take forward the Single Library Digital Presence (SLDP). Following the December roundtable (which had included representatives from interested organisations across all parts of the UK) and a number of 1-2-1 discussions, Carnegie UK Trust and ACE had been drawing together a paper about how this project could be progressed. This would be shared once completed.

Major themes or issues emerging during the session were:

There was a view that the sector would benefit from support and challenge to develop more visionary thinking about future digital developments and the opportunities they could provide. It was also suggested that discussions needed to take place with IT leads in local authorities (possibly through SOCITM), since library services often mentioned barriers to further development of digital services through libraries were due to wider corporate firewall and security requirements.

The increasing tensions between freedom of information and personal data privacy were discussed. The role of library staff in being able to provide advice to users on technical and legal frameworks as well as emerging behavioural issues such as trolling and cyberbullying, was recognised as increasing in importance. It was thought there might be potential for work with the Information Commissioner’s Office on the former, linked to the DCMS Digital Economy Unit’s work to take forward related areas highlighted within the UK Digital Strategy. On the latter, there could be learning from the US on what was being done to develop the role of library staff as thought leaders on information ethics and privacy (following on from an upcoming Carnegie study tour). There was also interest in investigating the possibility of a pilot with the BBC looking at helping users in developing information literacy skills to handle the growing volume of digital material and ‘fake news’ concerns. It was noted that the above all tied in closely with CILIP’s review of its Ethical Principles of Librarianship.

Using the Taskforce’s, or its members’, convening powers and influence was seen as a critical way to progress work on this Outcome. For example, there was potential in joining together those running and developing makerspaces (especially with new projects resourced through the Libraries: Opportunities for Everyone innovation fund coming onstream shortly) to share learning. The Taskforce potentially had a role in drawing in more tech companies to discuss how they could become involved in supporting libraries’ work, either through funding or in-kind.

Using digital tools and data to understand user behaviour in more depth in order to tailor library offerings to each community or individual, akin to the use of a loyalty card, was touched upon. This could also support the collection of evidence needed for certain sets of commissioners or partners, for example through better understanding jobseekers’ use of library resources to influence DWP to provide further support for libraries. This would need to be based on a deeper understanding of what commissioners and senior decision-makers were interested in knowing about. Collaboration with the Alan Turing Institute, which was interested in data research programmes, might be a possible avenue to explore.

Further staff development was discussed. Funding for digital leadership training had ceased, but SCL was exploring other resources that could be brought to bear through working with organisations such as tech companies. The important thing was to boost staff confidence and enthusiasm in assisting users on tech issues (which had been a critical outcome of Code Green and wider digital training).

There was a debate about whether, longer-term, digital might be seen as an underpinning delivery mechanism for library services, rather than being seen separately as an Outcome / Universal Offer in itself. It was felt that this probably was the general direction of travel but, for now, it provided a very helpful focus for action.

The Taskforce thanked Brian and Ayub for their contribution to a stimulating and valuable session, and Neil for stepping forward to lead the Taskforce’s debate on this Outcome.

The Taskforce agreed that Neil should draw together the ideas that emerged during the discussion and propose the top 3-4 priority actions for agreement, (together with thoughts on how actions and consequent impacts can be tracked), to be put to the Taskforce for sign-off at its next meeting.

4. Libraries Deliver: Ambition - Follow-up on Outcome 6 discussion on Greater Prosperity

At its previous meeting, the Taskforce discussed Outcome 6: Greater Prosperity. Based on that discussion, the British Library had drawn together proposals for further action over the next 12 months or so.

The Taskforce agreed the following actions, and who would be leading on them:

Libraries Taskforce to publicly back and promote the ‘light touch business offer’ once commissioned, and to reconvene the discussion if current funding opportunities fail to ensure it can proceed. The British Library is currently leading on the light touch business offer with the support of the Taskforce. If funding is secured, the British Library will draw up an initial project plan to share with the Taskforce.

Libraries Taskforce to design and develop a blueprint for supporting jobseekers that could inform development of common practice similar to the Business and IP Centre model. The Taskforce team would engage with DWP at a central level, and SCL would see if any of their members would be interested in helping to develop the proposal.

Libraries Taskforce to commission an intensive impact/public value assessment of public libraries covering all aspects of prosperity (from interventions to place-making). This would be done in 2 stages. Stage 1 would be a literature review of the economic impact of public libraries. Stage 2 would then be a longitudinal study to fill any gaps, with a particular focus on demonstrating how libraries create savings for the state through supporting economic activity. It should sample different types of library model, and also link to evaluation of a light touch business offer. This research project would be fed into the developing Taskforce research programme.

Libraries Taskforce to design and deliver a programme of communications and advocacy that promotes the ‘Libraries First’ role of public libraries in delivering this Outcome. The Communications Sub-Group would include this in their workstream to draw together a communications plan for each of the 7 Outcomes

5. Research into Community Managed Libraries (Ambition Action 11) - Presentation by SERIO

Lee Richards, Senior Research Manager at SERIO, gave a brief presentation on the preliminary findings of the work commissioned by the Taskforce and DCMS in December 2016 to explore the service effectiveness and sustainability of community-managed libraries.

The research had involved:

• a desk-based review to collect important contextual and comparative documentation and data to inform the assessment of each of the research objectives
• an online baseline survey sent to all community library managers in England, to provide a broader understanding of the delivery models and effectiveness of community managed libraries
• the development of 9 detailed case studies, one for each of the regions of England - case studies were selected to provide the greatest range of typological, geographical, demographic and community library model and age type to inform the research objectives
• a financial sustainability review, library user survey, and interviews with key stakeholders from the 9 case study library areas were conducted to assess library effectiveness and financial and resource sustainability to cross-reference views with those of community libraries engaged in the research

In response to the issues raised, the Taskforce discussed how better networking could be encouraged and supported between community-managed libraries at a national level; and what might be done to assist community-managed libraries develop and maintain volunteering over time. They asked SERIO to look further at their findings to ascertain whether the research could provide any information on variations between different types of communities served. They also discussed the extent to which councils could be encouraged to maintain good communications and practical support and advice for these libraries to increase their chances of thriving over a longer period.

The Taskforce agreed that:

Once a final draft of the report was available from SERIO, it would be circulated to Taskforce members so any areas requiring clarification could be highlighted. A proposed action plan to pursue the recommendations made in the report would also be developed and shared.

The Taskforce agreed that:

When finalised, they would both be published together on the Taskforce’s web pages, accompanied by a blog explaining the research project and how the findings will be used.

6. Outcomes Progress Indicators (Ambition Action 3)

This piece of work had been undertaken by Nick Partridge, of Sheffield Library Services, in his role as a Taskforce secondee. His objective had been to identify measures for each of the 7 Outcomes which would track progress against the aspirations for 2021 that the Taskforce had set out in the Ambition document (Action 3).

His focus had been on identifying impact measures wherever possible, drawing off good practice from around the world, whilst aiming to minimise extra data collection burdens on library staff.

The Taskforce thanked Nick for his input and provided some suggestions about specific wordings. They also asked him to take his work one step further by identifying stakeholders for each of the Outcomes (such as central government departments, commissioning bodies for each Outcome) and then consulting them to validate that the proposed Progress Indicators were the most relevant to use, or whether they had other suggestions to add.

They also asked him to link in with work being undertaken by the Taskforce team on collating current and planned research and data collection exercises; using the findings to identify whether there were opportunities to include some questions within existing or planned exercises to minimise extra collection burdens.

The Taskforce noted that baseline measures could not be established until final agreement was reached on which Progress Indicators were to be adopted and published. They also suggested that, as a longer-term refinement, the Progress Indicators might be developed further to distinguish between outcomes and impact for different target audiences (such as varied ages or demographics).

The Taskforce agreed:

• the measures proposed in the paper be taken forward as the basis for Progress Indicators which would be adopted, published and monitored by the Taskforce, subject to:
  • drafting suggestions made at the meeting
  • validation by relevant government departments, commissioners and local decision-makers that these were likely to be positively regarded as evidence to support libraries’ advocacy activities
• that the current work on on data collection and research relating to libraries be used to identify opportunities to integrate the gathering of Progress Indicator data to minimise burdens wherever possible

7. Core dataset (Ambition Action 2)

In Libraries Deliver: Ambition, the Libraries Taskforce committed (in Action 2) to defining and supporting the publication of a core dataset, creating a transparent and automated (where possible) process to gather and share it. It wanted the core dataset to be something which all library services would be encouraged to collect, use and publish to help inform and improve local library service delivery, and also for advocacy purposes at local and national level (when aggregated), including in discussions with commissioners about future funding for commissioned services.

The Taskforce had already consulted on what should go in the core dataset at data workshops, as part of the consultation on Libraries Deliver: Ambition, and through the workshops in the January 2017 sector forums. The paper circulated to the Taskforce for comment included a draft survey designed to validate what should be included in the core dataset for libraries. The survey was also seeking confirmation of, and views about:

• the types of data libraries already collect
• how library data is used
• the barriers / challenges to collecting and sharing data
• what people would like to be able to do with library data in the future

Comments made by the Taskforce included the need to clearly state the benefits for recipients in responding to the survey. They wished to ensure the wording of the survey made clear that comments were being sought on the issues that should be contained in a future core dataset, rather than seeking to gather the data itself at this point. Additional prompts were also requested to seek views on what data was or would be particularly valuable in dealing with service commissioners based on previous library service experience.

The Taskforce agreed:

• the contents of the survey on the core dataset included in the paper, subject to taking on board comments made at the meeting
• the publication of the survey via a Taskforce blog

8. Communications Update (Ambition Action 6)

The Taskforce reviewed the paper that had been circulated on communications activity. It noted the intention to develop communications plans for each Outcome (including Ambition summary brochures tailored to relevant target audiences), and proposals underway with SCL to develop more effective communications planning and capacity building.

9. Ongoing changes by library authorities

The Taskforce discussed the current proposals under consideration by library authorities and noted that Minister for Civil Society continued to take an active interest in the casework being undertaken by the DCMS Libraries Policy Team. The Taskforce noted that DCMS was considering formal complaints under the 1964 Act that Lancashire, Lambeth and Southampton may be failing to meet their statutory libraries duties. DCMS was also considering whether representations received from individuals about other library authorities such as Swindon and Barnet should be treated as formal complaints. It was also pleased to note that, in some recent cases, potential proposals to change library service provision have been amended due to budget reconsideration - for example, in Liverpool.

The DCMS Libraries team continued to engage at an early stage with library authorities who appeared to be considering significant service reductions, to encourage them to explore a wide range of options to mitigate their plans. For example, it had been involved in supporting certain authorities to consider whether alternative delivery models might be a potential route to help maintain and sustain local library service provision.

10. Public Libraries Skills Strategy (Ambition Action 19)

Ambition Action 19 said that the Taskforce would work through CILIP and SCL to produce a Public Library Skills Strategy.

The Taskforce received a presentation from Neil MacInnes, on behalf of SCL and CILIP, updating it on the work to date. The Taskforce noted the direction of the work, and expressed the desire to see the strategy clearly supporting a trained workforce to meet the needs of the public library sector for the future, regardless of employment status.

The strategy had been due for publication in March 2017, but it was now expected to be published in June or July, tied in with the 2 bodies’ annual conferences. The work underpinned wider efforts towards drawing up a Memorandum of Understanding between the 2 organisations.

11. Culture is Digital project

The Culture White Paper announced a review of culture and digital, with the aim of making the UK one of the world’s leading countries for digitised collections and using technology to enhance the online experience of users. It is aimed at excellence, resilience and participation in the cultural sector. The Culture is Digital project aims to deliver a vision and small number of policy proposals aimed at making the UK a world leader in digital culture, and provide leadership and support in making the cultural sector more resilient and user focused.

There would be a number of working groups set up to support the team working on the project, covering the different strands of work, namely:

• access and participation
• cultural content and technology
• digitisation of collections and aggregation of content
• skills, IP and business models

There would also be roundtable sessions seeking sector input, including the topic of reaching audiences who are digitally or culturally excluded. The British Library would be hosting a roundtable of Knowledge Quarter Leaders.

The Taskforce team was discussing with the Culture is Digital project whether it would be helpful to host a specific libraries sector session at officials level so the library sector can more easily feed into the project as a whole; it would update the Taskforce on progress. It has also offered to host guest blogs to keep the sector up to speed on the work happening in relevant workstreams.

The Taskforce noted the approach being taken to this review and agreed to provide the Secretariat with nominations for individuals to sit on working groups relating to access and participation, and on digital cultural content; and the roundtable focussed on reaching audiences who are digitally or culturally excluded.

12. Draft 6 month progress report October 2016 to March 2017 (Ambition Action 23)

A draft of this report was circulated to the Taskforce.

The Taskforce agreed that:

• suggestions for any comments or amendments should be provided to the Secretariat by 5 April
• the six month report should be published on GOV.UK on a suitable date, once submitted to the LGA Culture, Tourism and Sport Board and the Libraries Minister

13. Information items

The Taskforce noted progress on the following issues:

13.1 E-lending (CG3)

Following consultation with representatives of libraries, publishers, booksellers, authors, and the Public Lending Right office at the British Library, DCMS tabled an amendment to the Digital Economy Bill on 16 February. The amendment:

• extends the Public Lending Right Act 1979 to include remote e-lending from public libraries in the UK
• amends the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 so that copyright in an e-book or e-audiobook is not infringed by lending within the Public Lending Right scheme, provided that the e-book or e-audiobook has been lawfully acquired by the public library, and the lending of that work by the public library complies with any purchase or licensing terms that may have been applied to it

This amendment was agreed during debate at Lords’ Report stage of the Bill on 22 February, and the Bill was expected to receive Royal Assent in April 2017. DCMS will work with the Public Lending Right office of the British Library and the sector on the next steps to bring the changes into force, including reviewing and consulting on updates to the secondary legislation (the PLR scheme) and working with Northern Ireland to seek a Legislative Consent Motion so that the changes apply to all the UK.

13.2 Libraries Opportunities for Everyone Innovation Fund (Ambition Action 12)

125 applications were received, creating a very competitive process. Applications were assessed against the programme aims, and decisions to award funding to 30 projects (comprising 46 library services in total) were made by the Arts Council. The successful projects were announced on Wednesday 22 March on the Arts Council’s website.

The Taskforce recorded its thanks to the Arts Council for managing the challenging process so well, despite the tight timescales. It noted that communications plans would be put into place to ensure that the projects’ activities and outcomes were shared widely, and also that efforts would be made to build visits to as many of these as possible within the Minister for Civil Society’s diary over the coming year. Arts Council would share contact details for the projects to assist in this process.

13.3 Long-term evidence-based planning toolkit (Ambition Action 10)

Work was underway by the LGA on mapping data sources and drawing up guidance on how to use and interpret them. There will also be work undertaken to provide guidance to councils on communities in discussions over the direction of library services.

In April, the draft will be tested with library services who volunteered for this at the sector workshops; expressions of interest to do this have also been sought via the Taskforce blog.

13.4 Phase 1 mutuals support (Ambition CG5)

Masterclasses covering alternative delivery models, tailored for library services, had taken place on 24 March (in London) and 28 March (in York), attended by nearly 50 councils. These Masterclasses were delivered by Optimo (a consortium formed of the 4 existing library service mutuals, with technical support from Mutual Ventures), as part of their peer support contract with DCMS / Libraries Taskforce. A waiting list has been set up of those who wanted to attend but were unable to be fitted in. The DCMS Mutuals team is considering whether to run a 3rd event to accommodate these people.

Optimo had also written a toolkit (designed to assist councils wishing to explore alternative delivery models) for the Taskforce which was published on 28 March. To follow up on this, a letter would be sent to local authority chief executives by Paul Blantern and Kathy Settle, to ensure councils are aware of the information and support available to help them explore alternative delivery models further.

13.5 Research workshops (Ambition Action 4)

As a first step to understanding what research already existed / was ongoing, and what might be of value for the future, the Taskforce team ran 2 research workshops, on 21 and 23 March. These brought together representatives from across the library sector and from partners who have an interest in library service-related research.

The findings from the workshop were being written up and would be circulated to all attendees and Taskforce members. A Taskforce blog summarising the findings would encourage wider input from the sector and partners, particularly on the future research programme. Once feedback had been received and analysed, a draft prioritised research programme would be put to the Taskforce for agreement prior to being published.

14. Taskforce meetings and governance

14.1 Taskforce minutes

The Taskforce noted that the minutes from the last Taskforce meeting (held in Redbridge on 9 February) had been cleared by correspondence and published on GOV.UK.

14.2 Action log

The Taskforce noted outstanding actions and work underway to address them.

14.3 Forward programme

The forward programme lists the proposed dates and venues for future Taskforce meetings. The Taskforce noted that the next 3 meetings would be held on:

• 25 May at the The Reading Agency offices, Free Word Centre, London EC1
• 13 July in Leeds Central Library
• 4 October at LGA Offices, Smith Square, London SW1

The Taskforce debated a number of offers received to provide presentations to upcoming meetings, for example on library data. They also considered other organisations they may wish to invite to present due to significant milestones in their work, for example, Neil Mendoza once he had completed his Museums Review for DCMS, and The National Archive who has just published its revised strategy, so lessons could be shared across sectors.

The Taskforce noted that the December meeting would focus on strategic issues such as the annual review of the Ambition document and associated action plan, and a retrospective on Taskforce working.

The Taskforce agreed that members would send suggestions for potential venues for future meetings from December 2017 onwards, or any further items to be programmed for future meetings, to the Policy and Secretariat Manager.

14.4 Membership

Kim Bromley-Derry, Chief Executive of London Borough of Newham, had agreed to join the Taskforce. Due to the short notice, he had tendered apologies for this meeting, but was planning to attend from the May meeting onwards. The Taskforce noted that approaches to councillors to serve on the Taskforce had been held back until after the May local elections.

There was a brief discussion about whether an NHS England representative should be sought to serve on the Taskforce. It was felt this would be beneficial, and the Secretariat would discuss this further with Felix Greaves to seek his thoughts.

The Taskforce noted that Dominic Lake was soon to leave DCMS to go to a new job at Ministry of Justice. It recorded its thanks for his valued contribution to libraries work.

14.5 Any Other Business

On behalf of CILIP, the Chair tabled draft work programme proposals for the All Party Parliamentary Group, and requested Taskforce member comments by Friday 7 April.

Sir Nicholas Serota had mentioned libraries in his first public speech as the new Chair of Arts Council England at the No Boundaries conference in Hull on 28 May, which focussed on the importance of access to arts and culture. Brian Ashley would be seeking to identify event opportunities when Sir Nicholas might be able to focus on public libraries in more depth, to demonstrate the Arts Council’s recognition of, and commitment to, their library development role.

Brian Ashley indicated that he would be convening a meeting of any organisations gaining Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation status that had a library role, to encourage joint working and knowledge sharing.

The SCL Cultural Offer was planned to be launched in September. DCMS would explore the possibility of ministerial involvement in this. Similarly, they would seek ministerial attendance at the launch of the next phase of Reading Well: Books on Prescription.

Jane Ellison reminded Taskforce members that the Get Creative Weekend fell on 7-9 April. A number of libraries would be participating in activities supporting this.

15. Date of next meeting

The Taskforce’s next meeting would be held on 25 May 2017, between 1 and 4pm. The venue would be The Reading Agency offices, Free Word Centre, London EC1.