Teddington Library refurbishment consultation results
We apologise for the delay in letting you have the results but we were overwhelmed with the response to the Teddington Library refurbishment consultation and wish to thank everyone who took part.
We received a massive 811 Questionnaires filled in by Library users, 647 in Teddington and 143 on line. 65 non users also filled in a questionnaire, 34 in Teddington and 31 on line. 215 suggestion cards were filled in for our ideas board – only a couple are unprintable and a few are well beyond our powers to implement!
We spoke to the Teddington Scouts and Venture Scouts, to the Teddington School Book Club, visited the day centre at Ellerary Hall and had a lively discussion with the Teddington Society.
The results of the questionnaires are listed below. The percentages shown are of those who answered the specific question and not for all of the people who filled in the questionnaire.
Stock
70% of users were Very/Fairly Satisfied with the range of our present stock.
New services
(People who thought the following were very/fairly important)
- 62% - Input to stock selection (672 responses)
- 47% - Event and Talks (694 responses)
- 46% - Downloads from the library catalogue (660 responses) (80% of non users saying that this might encourage them to use the library)
- 36% - IT taster sessions (675 responses) (43% of non users saying that this might encourage them to use the library)
- 36% - Self Issue Terminals (656 responses)
- 32% - Books in other Languages (656 responses) (with European languages topping the list & French the most requested)
- 30% - Public Surgeries (642 responses) (58% of non users saying that this might encourage them to use the library)
- 23% - Audio listening posts (661 responses) (48% of non users saying that this might encourage them to use the library.)
Facilities
(People who thought the following were very/fairly important)
- 89% - Comfortable seating (695 responses)
- 87% - Library users toilets (714 responses)
- 74% - Study space (659 responses)
- 52% - Tea and coffee facilities (692 responses) (71% of non users saying that this might encourage them to use the library.)
- 45% - Wifi hotspot (600 responses) (68% of non users saying this one might encourage them to use the library)
- 24% - Meeting space (626 responses) (67% of non users saying that this encourage them to use the library)
Help in finding books
(People who thought the following were very/fairly important)
- 97% - Staff assistance (729 responses)
- 83% - Library Catalogue (657 responses)
- 82% - Books displays (681 responses)
- 77% - Multiple book copies (659 responses)
- 63% - Shelf guiding (697 responses)
- 63% - Floor plans (645 responses)
The main themes to come out of the comments on the questionnaires, the suggestions cards and suggestions from the rest of the consultation are as follows:
The provision of the written word was still the most important aspect of the Library
Service and should not be diminished. People really love the building and the feel of the library and felt very strongly that this character must not be lost. They felt that any modernisation should be sympathetic to the age of the building and its original architectural features should not be tampered with, although increased ventilation would be beneficial. They also felt that both the garden and the staff were great assets and should not be changed. A toilet with baby changing facilities was high on the list of priorities as was comfortable seating. The opinion on the provision of tea and coffee is split with a very slight majority in favour with a few people wanting a water fountain.
Computers also featured high on people’s wish list, wanting both more and better computers and the technology that goes with them, faster and wider ranging internet access and IT help and courses. A non bookable computer that could be used for quick reference/research for short periods of time was also suggested. There is a small area of dissent from people who thought that there is already too much space given over to their use.
As far as the layout is concerned people seem to want a quiet area for reading and study away from the computer section and the children’s area. The children’s area needs to be secure and include comfortable seating for both children and adults.
There seems to be a need for a separate area for teenagers with more suitable stock for both study (with computers for their use) and reading. Comfortable and appropriate seating for all ages is a theme running through all areas, children’s, teenagers, adult browsing areas and the quiet reading and study space.
There is a strong feeling that there needs to be more community involvement, with a community space for more talks and events for all ages. The type of talks and events asked for are very diverse but there is a strong theme of local events, history and arts. People want talks from writers, more recommended reading lists (either from the library staff or in the case of the teenage section a recommendation book so they could all add their favourites) and more reading and discussion groups to cover the whole age range.
The consultation also highlighted the fact that people are not aware of some of the services we already offer, i.e. access to the garden and some of our on line facilities like the on line catalogue and reservation service. We are trying to rectify this and have already answered some people’s questions on our Teddington Refurbishment update board within the library. People have also come up with very good ideas which are not dependent on the refurbishment and these are being considered.
Having assimilated the information gathered the next stage in the process is to prepare a design brief. We will keep everyone up to date on our progress through the Teddington Library Refurbishment board within the library.
Once again our thanks to everyone who took part in this process.