Information on Loughborough

Want to shape your future library?

Posted on 03/09/2009

Leicestershire Councty Council Community Services

3 September 2009

Want to shape your future library? library book Tell us what you think!

People visiting libraries during September will be invited to say how well libraries are meeting their needs. The results will help to prioritise future developments to modernise and transform Leicestershire’s library service.

A survey will take place at all libraries from Monday 14 September to Sunday 20 September. It will continue for a further week on mobile libraries until 25 September, so that customers at all stops on the fortnightly schedule will have a chance to complete a questionnaire.

library book

Adults will be asked about the reason for their visit to the library and whether it was successful. They will also have the opportunity to rate their satisfaction with library facilities and services, including books, CDs and DVDS as well as the attractiveness of the library, staff helpfulness and opening hours.

Customers will also be asked to say what they think overall about the library, taking everything into account, and to offer any other comments about the service.

Margaret Bellamy, Head of Library Services said, ‘Everyone’s views are important to us. We are really keen to know what people want from their library. Results will be used to plan library services and to improve performance’.

Staff will be on hand to help if there is anything customers do not understand in the survey. All information given will be treated confidentially and individuals will not be identified in any way.

For further information contact your local library, call (0116) 305 6988 or send an email to libraries@leics.gov.uk.

library book

Background notes

Libraries across Leicestershire are seeing an increase in visitors as the UK finds itself in a recession. Traditionally, people turn to public libraries during hard economic times - for cheaper entertainment, to help with employment, for free access to computers and to help them save money and be ‘greener’ by borrowing free books rather than buying.

Leicestershire Libraries have seen vast improvements recently as part of the £8 million transformation programme and staff are inviting the public to step into their local library to discover all the up to date services and facilities available for no or little cost.

Visitors will be supported by libraries over the coming months in their health, wellbeing, career prospects, lifestyle and general enjoyment by:

  • Stepping up to savings and improving finances – a free internet service where all the consumer price comparison and information websites are available, there are free books to borrow and you can have a cheap night in with a DVD that you can keep for a week
  • Stepping Up to success and improving job prospects – with free newspapers, free internet facilities and a large choice of titles for all sorts of learning and development
  • Stepping Out - alone or with friends and family to free events
  • Stepping Into the library’s welcoming surroundings where you can read all the latest best sellers for free and get up to date DVDs and audiobooks.
  • Stepping Up to a challenge - train your brain with crosswords, Sudoku and general knowledge quizzes.
library book

Details of library developments can be found on www.leics.gov.uk/libraries

Details of events can be found on www.leics.gov.uk/events

Facts and figures about Leicestershire Libraries for 2008 – 2009

  • 55 libraries
  • 92,378 hours open
  • 3,853,867 visitors
  • 6 Mobile libraries
  • 412 PCs
  • 22,205 DVDs to rent
  • 728,628 books to borrow