21st Century vision for Libraries
What are your views on library provision from a youth perspective, older persons and those with disabilities with regards to access and available resources?
· To receive information about a survey that was conducted recently on the library services in the Camberwell Community Council area.
· To discuss key findings which came out of the consultation and people’s views particularly with regard to Grove Vale and Camberwell Libraries.
Minutes:
The Library service review was presented by cabinet member, Councillor Veronica Ward and Pam Usher, Library Services Manager.
Councillor Ward mentioned cuts to the services, that 5,000 people responded to the survey and that the public meetings were well attended. It was noted that officers from the library services and Councillor Ward attended community council meetings in each of the eight areas and the feedback from all was positive.
Councillor Ward talked about the new Library in Canada Water and the proposal for
a new Library in Camberwell. People applauded at the proposal. Pam Usher said quite a few people completed the survey online with a great deal of positive feedback from young people that use the libraries for their home work and general studies.
Details of the survey are given below and the findings of the survey would be complied in a report for the council’s cabinet meeting which took place on 18 October 2011.
Feedback from people who were consulted at Camberwell Library
Camberwell Whole Borough
|
88% |
Came to borrow books |
79% |
Came to borrow books |
|
47% |
Came to borrow AV materials |
42% |
Came to borrow AV materials |
|
44% |
Came for information |
41% |
Came for information |
|
35% |
Came to email |
31% |
Came to email |
|
33% |
Came to study |
31% |
Came to study |
|
Volunteers
|
|
|
45% |
Agree with the use of volunteers |
|
32% |
Disagree with the use of volunteers |
|
22% |
Neither agree nor disagree |
|
48% |
Said that they would NOT volunteer |
|
44% |
Said that they would volunteer for up to 10 hours per month |
|
Charging for the use of PCs
|
|
|
39% |
Agree that a charge should be introduced for using PCs |
|
46% |
Disagree that a charge should be introduced for using PCs |
|
15% |
Neither agree nor disagree |
|
Longer opening hours and maintaining library
|
|
|
32% |
Said that they would keep existing opening hours even if this means fewer libraries |
|
68% |
Said they would keep existing libraries even if this means shorter opening hours |
|
Savings
|
|
|
42% |
Reduce the opening hours |
|
40% |
Reduce the budget for IT |
|
30% |
Reduce the number of smaller libraries |
Feedback from people who were consulted at Grove Vale Library
Grove Vale Whole Borough
|
83% |
Came to borrow books |
79% |
Came to borrow books |
|
49% |
Came to borrow audio visual materials |
42% |
Came to borrow audio visual materials |
|
38% |
Came for information |
41% |
Came for information |
|
46% |
Came to read |
55% |
Came to read |
|
Volunteers
|
|
|
35% |
Agree with the use of volunteers |
|
40% |
Disagree with the use of volunteers |
|
25% |
Neither agree nor disagree |
|
69% |
Said that they would NOT volunteer |
|
27% |
Said that they would volunteer for up to 10 hours per month |
|
Charging for the use of PCs
|
|
|
41% |
Agree that a charge should be introduced for using PCs |
|
39% |
Disagree that a charge should be introduced for using PCs |
|
19% |
Neither agree nor disagree |
|
Longer opening hours and maintaining library buildings
|
|
|
19% |
Said that they would keep existing opening hours even if this means fewer libraries |
|
81% |
Said they would keep existing libraries even if this means shorter opening hours |
|
Savings
|
|
|
53% |
Reduce the opening hours |
|
37% |
Reduce the budget for IT |
|
18% |
Reduce the number of smaller libraries |
After the presentation people asked questions and provided comments on the library review.
In response to questions, Pam explained that the council would consider shared space or accommodation for libraries like sharing a building with a local housing office or other type of community space.
Councillor Govier commented on the council looking at other means of funding libraries and to look at other local boroughs which offer a free library service similar to the one located in Upper Norwood (Westow Hill, London SE19).
If this model were adopted by the council, no libraries would need to close. Councillor Ward stated that all options would be investigated but that time and working progress on this were limited. It is not the council’s wish to close any libraries.
In response to a question regarding improved access and disabled toilets in libraries, Councillor Ward mentioned the council were trying to improve access for all Southwark libraries like the Canada Water Library, Blue Anchor Library and the Dulwich Library all have disabled access. The council would continue to engage as widely as possible on these issues especially with regard to disabled toilets, which had been an ongoing issue which has to be addressed further.
It was noted that further information on the library review would be given at a future community council meeting.
The chair thanked Councillor Ward and Pam Usher for their presentations.