1. Collaboration = Growth HLG 2010 Gwen Giles & David Law

2. The Base-line! Where are we? Background to development of the consortium Some of the benefits of Base-library How we have worked together strategically Branding & the Base-library website How we have improved effectiveness Next steps…

3. Where is BaSE? Birmingham and Solihull The Black Country Staffordshire Coventry & Warwickshire Worcestershire Shropshire Herefordshire

4. BaSE 1999 - 2010 1999 - Birmingham and Solihull Education Library Accreditation group 2003 - BaSE LMS Project Group 2004 - Base-library catalogue went live in July 2006 - Merger with Black Country patch group 2008 – Black Country library catalogues merged with Base-library in April 2008 – LMS Administrator appointed in June

5. Benefits New funding model for LMS administrator post and maintenance contract Access to more resources Support and development Reduced inconsistencies and inequities between different library services Turning point!

6. Strategic Collaboration Sub groups…. – Clinical Governance – Equality & Diversity – E-Books – Serials – Trainers – HE Liaison – Horizon scanning

7. Birmingham & Black Country BaSE Library - A Brand! Base-library website – Creates a web facing interface allowing users to search, renew, reserve, up date details. – Regularly updated with local library details, new evidence – Creates a brand that is recognised by core users Base = Broadening access – supporting education

9. Effectiveness as Library Services How effective are we, as a group from diverse and disparate Trusts, in delivering strategic aims as a single group? 2 away days organised. Highlighted need for individuals to adopt different roles (Belbin). Improve communication and take action rather than make decisions!

10. Birmingham & Black Country Next Steps Increasing collaboration across boundaries; working across patch groups accessible catalogues across boundaries jointly funding posts empowering all grades of library staff through partnership working working with HE partners Realising the challenges but also opportunities of “Transforming Community Services” reacting to the new White Paper

11. Birmingham & Black Country Collaboration and Growth Continue being Productive by working beyond or without SHA boundaries delivering nationally on a Do Once and Share philosophy being connected to our partners Are there any questions?