What are the results?
The results for both libraries are remarkably similar with people telling us they value increased emphasis on young families, events, a wide selection of books, and new technology. There is also a desire for Council customer services and other partners:
- A wide selection of books on shelves to browse and borrow is considered a priority for the majority of respondents, as is the availability of the latest best sellers, and the ability to check quickly if a book/resource is available. Most people thought easy-to-access shelves, adequate space between shelves and better signage were also important.
- 80% of people in Bath and 94% in Midsomer Norton agreed that it was important to provide a separate and safe area for children and families with a wide selection of children’s books and materials.
- Over 70% of people in Bath rated visitors and talks specifically tailored to a young audience, as well as supporting facilities, as important.
- Around 90% of people wanted knowledgeable staff to be on hand to help, and also tables to work at. We recognise the importance of having a quiet area and staff to assist
- There was desire for access to a wider range of services e.g. 25% of all respondents in Bath and 47% in Midsomer Norton wanted to be able to apply for a bus pass. A third of people in Midsomer Norton wanted the convenience of being able to report pot holes.
- The majority of people recognised the importance of improving technology and photocopiers whilst continuing to provide PC’s and improved free high speed WiFi.
How important to you is a specific or dedicated quiet study area in a library?
Importance |
Count |
High |
442 |
Low |
99 |
If "High" what facilities would you expect to see in this area? Please rate in terms of importance
|
UNIMPORTANT |
NEITHER IMPORTANT OR UNIMPORTANT |
IMPORTANT |
Power points |
20 |
62 |
267 |
Tables to work at |
6 |
10 |
339 |
Comfy seating |
22 |
103 |
216 |
Newspapers & periodicals |
36 |
61 |
251 |
Reference services (including online) |
9 |
43 |
300 |
Access to staff |
16 |
53 |
269 |
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
|
DISAGREE STRONGLY |
DISAGREE |
NEITHER AGREE OR DISAGREE |
AGREE |
AGREE STRONGLY |
It is important for there to be a separate and safe place in the library for children and families |
16 |
27 |
65 |
124 |
301 |
Here are some features of a children and families area in a modern library. Please rate the importance of each feature
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
An area kept separate form the rest of the library |
48 |
38 |
97 |
115 |
228 |
Dedicated PC’s & printers for children’s sole use |
84 |
80 |
128 |
89 |
144 |
Childrens books & resources |
12 |
5 |
23 |
60 |
432 |
Specific Activities |
18 |
34 |
117 |
119 |
233 |
Visiting authors/talks etc. |
17 |
30 |
94 |
136 |
247 |
Toilet & changing facilities |
23 |
16 |
68 |
127 |
294 |
Refreshments/breakout area |
125 |
88 |
110 |
78 |
124 |
Pushchair parking area |
36 |
56 |
129 |
118 |
182 |
Please indicate which of the following features you would like to have access to
Feature |
Count |
A computer |
320 |
Printing/scanning from own device (WiFi) |
257 |
Printing/scanning from library computers |
278 |
Free high speed WiFi |
351 |
Photocopiers |
373 |
Ebooks |
185 |
What would you like to be able to access very quickly and easily? Please rate in terms of importance
|
UNIMPORTANT |
NEITHER IMPORTANT OR UNIMPORTANT |
IMPORTANT |
PC for quick access/look-up |
99 |
136 |
283 |
View & make planning applications |
241 |
156 |
112 |
Latest books or DVDs |
39 |
88 |
396 |
Apply for a service (e.g. bus passes) |
264 |
119 |
132 |
Ability to quickly check if a book/resource available |
21 |
77 |
431 |
Collect or bring back reserved items |
24 |
54 |
450 |
Pay a fine or charge (e.g. parking fine) |
314 |
108 |
90 |
Make a payment (e.g. Council Tax) |
332 |
106 |
75 |
Report a problem (e.g. pothole in the road) |
317 |
111 |
86 |
Make an enquiry (e.g. Universal Credit) |
313 |
113 |
74 |
Meet a member of staff or partner representative |
140 |
138 |
234 |
Access information about service or partners |
209 |
157 |
138 |
Which of the following would you like to use to browse our content?
|
YES |
NO |
DON'T KNOW |
Browsing bookshelves |
522 |
15 |
6 |
Asking a member of staff |
483 |
31 |
19 |
Checking online/PC |
316 |
123 |
60 |
Touch screens that could turn pages like a book |
109 |
268 |
119 |
What would be the easiest way for you to find what you need from bookshelves? Please rate in terms of importance
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
More easy-to-access shelves |
44 |
20 |
93 |
101 |
271 |
Adequate space between shelves |
46 |
24 |
102 |
121 |
231 |
Clear signs |
33 |
20 |
65 |
113 |
290 |
How often do you use the following services?
|
DAILY |
WEEKLY |
MONTHLY |
1-5 TIMES A YEAR |
LESS FREQUENTLY |
Library |
51 |
272 |
142 |
52 |
26 |
One Stop Shop |
8 |
12 |
32 |
103 |
342 |
Please advise which of the following age category you fall into
Age range |
Count |
5-15 |
11 |
16-24 |
8 |
25-34 |
60 |
35-54 |
226 |
55+ |
255 |
How important to you is a specific or dedicated quiet study area in a library?
Importance |
Count |
High |
48 |
Low |
19 |
If "High" what facilities would you expect to see in this area? Please rate in terms of importance
|
UNIMPORTANT |
NEITHER IMPORTANT OR UNIMPORTANT |
IMPORTANT |
Power points |
1 |
3 |
15 |
Tables to work at |
1 |
0 |
19 |
Comfy seating |
1 |
4 |
14 |
Newspapers & periodicals |
2 |
7 |
8 |
Reference services (including online) |
1 |
1 |
16 |
Access to staff |
1 |
3 |
15 |
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
|
DISAGREE STRONGLY |
DISAGREE |
NEITHER AGREE OR DISAGREE |
AGREE |
AGREE STRONGLY |
It is important for there to be a separate and safe place in the library for children and families |
1 |
0 |
3 |
21 |
43 |
Here are some features of a children and families area in a modern library. Please rate the importance of each feature (1 being not all important and 5 being very important)
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
An area kept separate form the rest of the library |
3 |
2 |
13 |
18 |
32 |
Dedicated PC’s & printers for children’s sole use |
12 |
13 |
17 |
11 |
14 |
Childrens books & resources |
3 |
1 |
5 |
10 |
48 |
Specific Activities |
5 |
5 |
14 |
23 |
20 |
Visiting authors/talks etc. |
6 |
11 |
9 |
18 |
24 |
Toilet & changing facilities |
4 |
1 |
8 |
13 |
42 |
Refreshments/breakout area |
19 |
13 |
16 |
7 |
10 |
Pushchair parking area |
6 |
6 |
17 |
17 |
18 |
Please indicate which of the following features you would like to have access to
Feature |
Count |
A computer |
41 |
Printing/scanning from own device (WiFi) |
37 |
Printing/scanning from library computers |
36 |
Free high speed WiFi |
43 |
Photocopiers |
52 |
Ebooks |
27 |
What would you like to be able to access very quickly and easily? Please rate in terms of importance
|
UNIMPORTANT |
NEITHER IMPORTANT OR UNIMPORTANT |
IMPORTANT |
PC for quick access/look-up |
10 |
13 |
42 |
View & make planning applications |
17 |
33 |
12 |
Latest books or DVDs |
6 |
8 |
51 |
Apply for a service (e.g. bus passes) |
14 |
21 |
31 |
Ability to quickly check if a book/resource available |
4 |
5 |
57 |
Collect or bring back reserved items |
4 |
3 |
59 |
Pay a fine or charge (e.g. parking fine) |
25 |
24 |
17 |
Make a payment (e.g. Council Tax) |
27 |
22 |
17 |
Report a problem (e.g. pothole in the road) |
20 |
24 |
21 |
Make an enquiry (e.g. Universal Credit) |
28 |
20 |
14 |
Meet a member of staff or partner representative |
11 |
15 |
37 |
Access information about service or partners |
14 |
30 |
21 |
Which of the following would you like to use to browse our content?
|
YES |
NO |
DON'T KNOW |
Browsing bookshelves |
62 |
2 |
2 |
Asking a member of staff |
62 |
2 |
2 |
Checking online/PC |
49 |
9 |
4 |
Touch screens that could turn pages like a book |
18 |
28 |
17 |
What would be the easiest way for you to find what you need from bookshelves? Please rate in terms of importance (1 being not all important and 5 being very important)
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
More easy-to-access shelves |
6 |
4 |
11 |
14 |
30 |
Adequate space between shelves |
6 |
3 |
11 |
15 |
31 |
Clear signs |
6 |
3 |
2 |
17 |
38 |
How often do you use the following services?
|
DAILY |
WEEKLY |
MONTHLY |
1-5 TIMES A YEAR |
LESS FREQUENTLY |
Library |
6 |
38 |
10 |
8 |
3 |
One Stop Shop |
1 |
2 |
2 |
18 |
34 |
Please advise which of the following age category you fall into
Age range |
Count |
5-15 |
1 |
16-24 |
2 |
25-34 |
4 |
35-54 |
21 |
55+ |
39 |