Business Centre at The Hive, Worcester

1. The Business Centre at
The Hive
Laura Worsfold
Business Development Manager
The Hive
2nd October 2014

2. The first integrated Public and
University Library

3. Background
A £64m PFI project
• Expansion of University of Worcester &
need for new campus
• Public Library looking for new premises
• Archaeology outgrowing current facility
• Growing shared Customer Contact Centre
• Record Office outgrown facilities and
desire to merge public branches

4. Introduction
Some basic facts about the Hive…
• Partnership project and service between the
University of Worcester and Worcestershire
County Council
• Houses not just the library, but Archives and
Archaeology Service, plus WCC Hub
• Library service combined to support University
members and the public
• Jointly managed and governed by UW and WCC
……

5. ……
• Library element consists of dedicated
‘front of house’ team (cross organisation)
and library subject enquiries second tier
(UW librarians)
• Support services integral to service include
IT Support and facilities management
• Hive has 5 levels open to all users, roughly
250,000 books and 250 PCs
• Library services provided online include
many 1000s of titles, digitisation service,
online enquiries…

6. 10 Key Principles
• Inspiration
• Connection
• Aspiration
• Learning
• Integration
• Inclusivity
• Enduring values
• Well-being
• Sustainability
• Visibility
“A destination in itself. The building should inspire, excite and
welcome, but not intimidate through a sense of grandeur or self-importance.”
WLHC Design Statement 2007

7. Statistics
• 2,027,878 visits
• 2,592 daily average visit
• 2,148,862 issues
• 31, 258 new members
• Annual trend consistent
• 5000 school children have visited in 2 years

8. The Business Centre

9. The Business Centre
• 8 Meeting rooms
• Network and business lounge
• Studio theatre
• State of the art technology (supported by
on-site technician)

10. The Business Centre
• Resources – the Donut
• Databases; COBRA, Business Source Premier
• Books, journals, research

11. The Business Centre
• Partners:
Worcestershire Business Central,
University of Worcester Business School,
Chamber of Commerce,
Institute of Directors,
Worcester BID
• Steering Group & Enterprise Plan

12. The Business Centre
• Internship
• Events & Activities
o Breakfasts
o Courses/seminars
o Events –
Tour of Britain

13. Evaluating Impact
• SROI initial study
• Hive Impact Study
• Future developments

14. A truly integrated library

15. The Hive
www.thehiveworcester.org
Laura Worsfold
Business Development Manager
lworsfold@worcestershire.gov.uk