Information on Loughborough
News Index
2012
Feb 2012Jan 2012
2011
Dec 2011Nov 2011
Oct 2011
Sep 2011
Aug 2011
Jul 2011
Jun 2011
May 2011
Apr 2011
Mar 2011
Feb 2011
Jan 2011
2010
Dec 2010Nov 2010
Oct 2010
Sep 2010
Aug 2010
Jul 2010
Jun 2010
May 2010
Apr 2010
Mar 2010
Feb 2010
Jan 2010
2009
Dec 2009Nov 2009
Oct 2009
Sep 2009
Aug 2009
Jul 2009
Jun 2009
May 2009
Apr 2009
Mar 2009
Feb 2009
Jan 2009
2008
Dec 2008Nov 2008
Oct 2008
Sep 2008
Aug 2008
Jul 2008
Jun 2008
May 2008
Apr 2008
Mar 2008
Feb 2008
Jan 2008
2007
Dec 2007Nov 2007
Oct 2007
Sep 2007
Aug 2007
Jul 2007
Jun 2007
May 2007
New Lutterworth library set to open
Posted on 09/11/2009
Community Services
Self-service machines are among the features at Lutterworth’s new library, which opens at 10am on Monday (November 16th), after a £90,000 investment.
Lutterworth’s new library is opening in a former car showroom in George Street and is larger than the town’s previous library in Coventry Road.
Ernie White, Cabinet member for libraries, said: "This new-look library offers a wide range of features, that should appeal to existing users and people who pop in for the first time.
"The self-service machines will make the service quicker and easier for users and enable staff to help people around the library, instead of being confined to a desk.
"I know some people don’t like using self-service checkouts in supermarkets, but the library machines are much simpler – you can scan all your books at the same time, simply by putting them on the machine. And you can still get help from a member of staff if you wish."
Features include:
- Self-service machines, which allow people to borrow and return books, CDs and DVDs, quickly and easily
- An extensive range of books, DVDs and music CDs and newspapers and magazines
- Comfortable seating, with special areas for children and for teenagers
- Free use of computers and internet access
- Regular activities include:
- Special sessions for teenagers and young children
- Family history research
Media opportunity:
Any member of the press interested in attending the library opening at Lutterworth can contact the press office on 0116 305 7046. You are welcome to try out the new library machines.
Background:
Self-service machines enable people to:
- Borrow and return books, CDs and DVDs
- Pay for any transactions, such as DVD hire fees and fines
- Carry out their business whenever the library is open, instead of when a member of staff is available
Key facts about self-service:
- A total of 28 machines will be installed at Leicestershire’s seven major libraries and nine shopping centre libraries, between now and March 2010
- Library service desks will be replaced by a smaller help desk, where staff provide assistance
- Other staff will “walk the floor” and help visitors to choose books or answer queries
- Removing the main desks will free up more space for displays or browsing areas
- The move will save around £350,000 – a total of 19 library posts, out of more than 400, will go through staff turnover
- Libraries due to receive the machines are: Earl Shilton; Coalville; Lutterworth; Loughborough; Ashby; Blaby; Birstall; Hinckley; Glenfield; Broughton; Shepshed; Melton; Wigston; Syston; Oadby; Harborough.
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.
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