Winterbourne Library Users Group minutes

Winterbourne Library Users Group Meeting, Tuesday 11 October 2011

Annual General Meeting

1.

Present: Jenny Wellman, Gabrielle Suddell, Anne Dunmur, Michael Duffy, Cllr Diane Marriott, Cllr John Godwin

2.

Apologies: Lyn Wood, Pat Hares, Margaret Bates

3.

Contributions from the Public: None

4.

Report by the Chair:

Jenny reported on a good year with an improved library experience since we extended and refurbished. Staffing levels have been maintained, and with additional help from an apprentice for part of the year. Staff are always helpful and the library has a lovely ambience. Positives were the courses offered by Filton College as well as the start up of 1:1 IT sessions with a volunteer.

Slightly disturbing is the low level of interest by the general public in the library user group with no contributions to the user group meetings even when the library service is under threat. Jenny wondered if this shows a lack of care about public services in general. She also reiterated that the local population demographics are not represented by the group and encouraged group members to consider what it would take to get a broader cross-section of the community interested.

Jenny also commented on Gabrielle’s new dual role as librarian of Bradley Stoke and Winterbourne Libraries and wants to ensure that the smaller library will not be overlooked in the future. Winterbourne Library needs a voice and a joint user group will hopefully address the needs and issues of both libraries.

With increased virtual visits and the state of the national economy library user groups must be very protective of what we have.

5.

Election of Chair, Vice Chair and Letter Secretary

Jenny Wellman was nominated by Cllr Diane Marriott to carry on as chair for now until an AGM can be held with the Joint Library User Group. This was seconded by Cllr John Godwin and she is duly elected.

Pat Hares was nominated as vice chair by Jenny Wellman. Seconded by Cllr Diane Marriott and duly elected.

Gabrielle Suddell was nominated as secretary for the time being by Michael who was seconded by Jenny and accepted.

Ordinary Meeting

1

Present: as above

2

Apologies: as above

3

Contributions from the public: none

4

Minutes of 12 July 2011

Approved

5

Matters arising

John raised the issue in item 9 of the minutes concerning parking. He also sits on the Joint User Group of Winterbourne Parish Council and the Ridings Federation – Winterbourne International Academy which were due to meet the following evening. He asked that we communicate any issues to him which he can then raise at the user group meeting. Parking will become difficult when the school starts its building programme.

Gabrielle asked John if he could mention that the various coach companies that ferry the school children to and fro tend to often park in the parking area outside the library, including the disabled bays. When questioned they usually reply that they cannot park in the bus/coach park as the gates are locked and that they ‘will only be a few minutes’. This has caused problems to library customers in the past and the neighbours are also unhappy with buses, sometimes with engines idling, outside their homes. John will speak about this at School/Parish Joint User Group meeting.

6

Librarian’s Report including Summer Reading Challenge review

Gabrielle commented on a busy quarter mostly taken up by the Summer Reading Challenge. The Challenge itself was a great success with more joiners than ever and a respectable number of finishers (68.7%). The total number of starters nearly reached 6000 this year, which is a fantastic number.

Gabrielle and Michael mentioned that Wendy Nicholls our children’s librarian for many years has decided to retire. Jenny wanted to express her thanks for all the hard work over the years. She will leave a gap and her accumulated knowledge over the years will be missed.

Jenny also commented on the poor turn out at the libraries recent Pamper Evening. Many events at present are struggling to get the numbers that they would like. Jenny’s events at church are struggling and Anne agreed with this.

Quarterly Statistics

We still cannot compare like-for-like as we were closed for most of July last year.

Issues are up as expected because of this but worryingly PC usage is lower that in the previous year. Hopefully this was just a blip but it needs watching.

Potential Outdoor Partnership Projects with Winterbourne Parish Council

John, who suggested the idea two meetings ago, has as yet not taken it any further. He would like ideas of what we could have in order to pick out a few and do some costing. It could be as simple as a bench and table set similar to the ones at the Rec or maybe a self cleaning toilet, since there is a shortage of public facilities in the area. Ideas to Gabrielle please.

Library Staffing Review and Organisation of Library User Groups

Michael talked the group through the new structure which also included him. Sadly he is being made redundant and will be leaving in December. The group was saddened to hear this news and wished him well. Gabrielle’s new role will be as librarian for both Winterbourne and Bradley Stoke. A Joint Library User Group with Bradley Stoke was also discussed and agreed. It is envisaged that we alternate meetings between the two library venues and after a couple of meetings review how the group operates.

Results from Self Service Survey

Michael reported on the results and although there were a few negative comments and reluctant users, overall the results were positive and encouraging. The results will be used to inform on the installation of self service in the libraries that have not got it yet.

AOB: none

Date of next meeting:

As Gabrielle is now group librarian for Winterbourne and Bradley Stoke libraries the next meeting will be a joint meeting on Tuesday 10^th January 2012 at Winterbourne Library starting at 6.30pm.

Another meeting is planned for Thursday 12 April 2012 at Bradley Stoke Library starting at 7pm.