Notes of Emersons Green Library User Group - Wednesday 5 October 2011
Present: Maureen Lindsay, Gordon Lindsay, Hugh Coombe, Karen Sykes, Andrew Riches, James Hunt, Ralph Morris, Tina Hanks, Jennifer Barnes, Elaine Gibbs, Michael Duffy, Gill Clayton.
Apologies: Katrina Comer
Updates from previous meetings: As suggested by the Group, parents were encouraged to read 6 books alongside their children in the summer holidays. We also had a scheme for teens to do the same and win a free DVD hire. 25 adults and teens joined in the ‘reading challenge’ in this way.
The survey of users of the self-service machines confirmed that most found it helpful and easy to use. Adjustments have been made as a result of feedback e.g. being timed out.
The management review of the service has been completed and the new structure will be in place by Christmas. Martin Burton remains as Head of Libraries; there will be only one Operations Manager so, very sadly, Michael has been made redundant. In a reduced team of Library Managers, Gill will stay at Emersons Green but add an extra responsibility (Social Inclusion) to her current one. Over 120 hours of staffing have in total been cut from the service as part of this review.
Starting shortly will be a more general review of services. James Hunt commented that there was still no suggestion of closing libraries. The principle the council are working to is no reduction in frontline services while anything can still be done in the ‘back office’ or management.
Increasing income is another option to be considered.
Gill reported that the ‘Hello’ campaign, encouraging parents to communicate with their very young children, was now in progress and the library is doing its bit through its regular contact with parents and babies at rhyme-times and story-times.
Active Mind Month is October and there is a big programme of events, including 11 at this library. Andrew congratulated the library on an interesting range of activities. The sculptures will have their official unveiling as part of this.
E-book downloads will not now be available until December. Workshops to help new owners after Christmas (an idea from the Group) will therefore be particularly pertinent.
Gill showed information on the upgraded LibrariesWest website that will have increased interactivity.
Technology in the library
We discussed how it’s used and where we might use it further.
• Already really useful: email reminders to renew or return your books to avoid overdue fines.
• Not helpful: not being able to sort catalogue search results by publication date
• Questions: is Cyberlibrary (directory of recommended & vetted websites) a public website? The answer is yes, and here is the link
http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/homepage/leisureandtourism/libraries/cyberlibrary.htm/
Is the internet filtered for young people – the answer is yes.
• New ideas from the group:
o online catalogue to offer “If you liked that you might also like…”
o online catalogue facility to search by genre, new, wish-list to generate email when added to stock
o self service card payments
o ‘Oyster card’/’book token’ for library services – could be given as present to children
o Library ‘app’ for mobiles – can be used instead of card in self service machines
o Use Friends’ email addresses to publicise need for new members in reading group
o Ask Hive if they would be willing to use their email lists to publicise library activities
Representing the Group at South Gloucestershire User Group Chair meetings
Gill asked for a representative to attend occasional meetings held of reps from all the Library User Groups. Karen and Ralph both said they would be willing.
Date of next meeting: Wednesday 11 January 2012 at 7pm