Library Proposals and Responses

Library Proposals and Responses

Following discussions within the library service, the following is a summary of the responses given to a number of the proposals made during and after the April Engagement Meetings in 2019.

Availability of Refreshments / Vending Machine	Lots of local cafes. Staff kitchen could be used if library was being used for an out-of-hours meeting. Coffee machines have previously been installed elsewhere, but had to be heavily subsidised by the Library Service, so not financially viable.
Window Blinds / Better Lighting	Achieved!.
Flexible use of space / Movable shelves and furniture	Achieved!
Space Dividers to reduce noise	Need to keep CCTV camera line of sight clear. Wooden floor means noise carries and space dividers would not reduce this much.
Computer Scanner	Achieved!.
Laptop/Tablet Charging Points	Achieved!
Update computers etc	Achieved!
Update Self-serve Kiosks	Achieved!
Wireless printing for laptops / tablet	Achieved!.
Increase Extended Access hours	Extended Access now includes Sunday afternoons. Further extension (eg until 9pm) may be possible if there is the demand.
Open libraries on public holidays	Low usage means that staffing costs could not be justified. However, the use of Extended Access on those days might be possible.
Loan of computer games / periodicals	Library Service made a decision not to loan games as they are expensive, quickly out-of-date and difficult to check on return. Periodicals are available online and will shortly include a wide range of newspapers.
Reminders when books are due for return / reservations are ready	Reminders and other information are already automatically sent by email, provided the Library has the relevant contact details.
Provide Community Information	A variety of leaflets etc are already available. Libraries used to keep printed bus and train timetables, but now access information online.
Answerphone message with opening times	The current phone system doesn't have answerphone capability, and the libraries aren't linked to the Council phone system, but this issue is being reviewed.
Entrance area Notice Board	An  additional free-standing noticeboard has been installed inside the library, as the ones in the entrance area cannot be used.
External notice boards and signage	This is something which would have to be addressed by the community.
Better promotion of events / developments including email, Internet and social media	The Library Service is required to publicise things through the Council website and social media accounts, rather than having ones of their own, and this limits what can be done and how quickly. More use is being made of local media, such as "The Voice".
Better engagement with Friends Groups	There have been a number of examples where the Library Service has provided advance notice of changes and we have been able to publicise these for them.
After-school activities for 11-16 / Coding Clubs / Homework Club	Arrangements for the provision of evening activities for teenagers are being investigated. Need to confirm that there would be the necessary takeup and volunteers would need DBS clearance..
Access for Home Schooling	The library is already used for this purpose, and the provision of some more study space with  new tables should help.
Children’s activities during holidays	Reading Challenge is always very popular and will run again this summer.
Basic computer courses / IT Sessions	Library already offers 1 to 1  IT support by volunteers and there are plans to extend this in the autumn.
Set up a Games Club / Creative Writing Class / Poetry Evenings / Knitting and Crochet Group	Anyone willing to organise and run a group would be very welcome to do so. They should talk to Meghan at the library or visit the council website for more information. Volunteers will be provided with an induction course and would be covered by the Council’s insurance policies.
Develop Garden Area	This is supported by the Library. Volunteers to create an "edible garden"  work under the guidance of SusWot and are covered by the Library Group insurance
Access to Kitchen /  Toilet	Access to the Kitchen and existing toilet could be provided to people attending an event out of normal hours, but not possible during the day. Creating a new toilet would require substantial building work.
Extend building / Change location	This would need major capital investment. If the existing library was sold, the funds would normally go into the central "pot" and not be ring-fenced for future library developments.