Cultural Service

Welcome to the website for the Cultural Service
 
The Cultural Service in Somerset provides libraries, arts and information services for the County Council, as part of the Directorate of Culture and Community. These are services that improve the quality of life, promote active engagement with literature and the arts and contribute to learning and citizenship.

The aim of the Cultural Service is to develop services to achieve the following outcomes:

• People who use libraries are informed, enabled and motivated citizens
• Library buildings are used as true community resources
• We know about our communities, so services are managed to meet their changing needs and aspirations
• Libraries are a point of access to information, expertise and referral for all Culture and Heritage services
• People can obtain the right resources and information from LAIS at the right time and in the right format, by personal visit and by remote or virtual access
• People use libraries as a gateway to all local & central government services, particularly e-government services, and access them confidently
• People use libraries and arts settings as learning venues and access a wide range of learning resources through libraries and Resources for Learning
• People who use libraries are stimulated and enriched through engagement with books and wider leisure and cultural resources
• Those who do not currently use libraries are aware of the full range of services on offer
• Opportunities are available for local artists and arts organisations and innovation is encouraged
• The contribution of creative industries within the sustainable economic, social and environmental regeneration of the county is recognised and promoted
• People can access a wide range of high quality arts activities and experiences
• The role and needs of the voluntary and community arts sector are recognised
• The environment of Somerset (natural and built) is enhanced through a programme of public art

I hope you enjoy using the services available through the Cultural Service.

Rob Froud
Head of Cultural Service