The Way Forward

Being responsive

In 2002, Bath & North East Somerset Library + Information Service invited customers and residents to take part in a consultation programme to help shape a vision for its future developments.

In response to that consultation, we plan to introduce a number of improvements and changes to the service. Our new ‘vision for the future’, now formally adopted by Council members, is outlined in this publication.

Overall, the consultation programme showed that:

• 82% of library customers are satisfied with the service
• 64% of residents are satisfied with the service

What people said they liked about the service:

• Staff friendliness & knowledge
• Locations & accessibility of clean, comfortable buildings
• Range of resources – access to IT computer facilities as well as books, videos & DVDs, CDs & a good children’s selection
• Quantity of items that can be borrowed at any one time
• The standard of our inter-library loan service through membership of the Foursite Library Consortium (working with North Somerset, South Gloucester & Somerset)
• Access to local information & community leaflets

What people said they wanted to see improved:

• More & better books, including large print & spoken word format
• Longer opening hours to suit modern lifestyles
• More ICT & digital facilities and opportunities for learning
• A brighter & more spacious environment with better display of books and resources
• Good signage both externally & internally
• Better publicity & more public events
• Community space provided for meetings, etc.
• Provision of accessible facilities, including baby changing areas in all libraries

Bath & North East Somerset Library Service was reviewed by The Audit Commission in 2002:

“Buildings and book stock are poor and do not meet national standards, especially in parts of the district outside the City of Bath, despite a well run and up-to-date mobile service. Opening hours in most libraries are inadequate, although Sunday opening has been introduced in Central Library in response to customer requests”.

The government’s Department for Culture, Media & Sport has produced a national vision called ‘Framework for the Future – Libraries, Learning & Information for the next Decade’ which spells out the agenda for libraries to deliver central and local educational and social objectives, highlighting the importance of libraries as centres for democracy.

It is clear libraries need to adapt - to be forward-looking, embracing new technology and new ideas - to retain relevance in a fast-changing world by responding to the fast-changing needs of customers. Libraries should be places that first excite and then satisfy people’s curiosity for knowledge and information.

Change is already in motion.

The People’s Network, providing free-to-use internet access in all libraries, is having a profound effect. It has opened up the debate about the balance of books and computers, the type of customers served and the skills and requirements they have and may need.

...putting library customers and their needs at the heart of the service

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