Library only being open 2.5 days each week. As a senior citizen difficult to remember when I can return/collect books. Particularly alternate Wednesdays/ Saturdays.
As I usually visit library on Saturdays bit of in convenience. Now only two Saturdays a month if you miss a Wednesday opening nothing until Monday bit of time without a book.
The opening times I feel I would need to consult the timetable every time I wanted to visit the library i.e Wednesday we all know it is closed on a Wednesday. This new timetable on occasions will not be convenient.
Due to shifts at work I will be able to attend the library fewer days. I use the library to borrow books, but also for printing as I don't have a printer at home. If the new hours are introduced as proposed I may need to travel outwith the village to print documents as they are sometimes needed urgently. I would be happy for the library to remain closed on a Wednesday but open every Saturday as I sometimes can't attend during the week the Saturday opening is also better for young people to attend as they often have after school clubs. The alternate weeks for Wed & Sat opening will be extremely confusing and will probably lead to a drop in people using the library.
At CLASP, we use a space in the libraries for digital clients. I do this Monday - Friday and usually in multiple libraries per day. These changes may limit the help people receive in the areas that are facing reduced opening hours. I also feel the areas targeted are also towns/localities that already have limited services and it will further highlight this.
I am over 70 years. Reading is a big part of my leisure. I am in a local book club and can not afford to purchase the monthly book. I need the library! My grandchildren use it too - they come in after school - it needs to be open on days that do not clash with after school clubs, swimming lessons and music tuition! My youngest grandson adores bookbug and the weekly play session. It is a long day for my childminding if we have no activity to attend especially in winter. I loved the sewing/knitting group, the memory group etc The staff are my friends - I will miss them so much.
Thursday is when we use the library as kids drama classes are on same day around the corner. Alternate weeks is impossible to keep up with and what about the kids that go every Saturday...? Where do they go? Don't we want children going to libraries instead of using screens as per the Scottish Gov recommendations? Instead of cuts/cuts/cuts - Lets invest in these libraries and make them local hotspots that everyone wants to use. Might I also suggest managerial cuts instead of frontline workers who perform valuable services to the local community & actually have community spirit in mind.
Finally, the proposal mentions “creating meaningful posts with good hours”. If staff hours are being reduced, resulting in lower pay and pension contributions, it is difficult to see how they will have the time and resources to do more. I care about the wellbeing of the staff who work in our local library, and I hope that their welfare is given proper consideration as park of these proposals.
I also think the proposed opening pattern will be confusing. Remembering whether the library is open for a half day on Wednesday or open on Saturday is less straightforward than having one consistent arrangement. Keeping to either Wednesday or Saturdays would be much easier for people to remember. I know the opening hours will be displayed outside the library, and I expect they will also be shared on social media. However, this assumes everyone can easily access that information. Not everyone uses social media or passes the library regularly, particular those who live further away or have limited mobility. More could be done to make people aware of the library, the services it offers and any changes to opening hours. As a public service, the council should make sure everyone in the community knows what is available and is given plenty of notice before these changes take effect. People should not be expected to simply know what the library offers or to discover changes for themselves.
The consultation document says that groups led by library staff can easily be moved to another day. Again, this assumes that everyone who attends these groups will be free on the new day, which may not be the case. Many people have caring responsibilities, medical appointments or other commitments. The proposal talks about providing continuity for customers, but I don’t see how this can be achieved if library staff are regularly moved between different libraries. The staff at West Kilbride Library are excellent and a big part of what makes visiting the library such a positive experience. When staff change, it can feel like starting from scratch again. Building relationships with familiar staff matters, especially for regular users.
Library only being open 2.5 days each week. As a senior citizen difficult to remember when I can return/collect books. Particularly alternate Wednesdays/ Saturdays.
As I usually visit library on Saturdays bit of in convenience. Now only two Saturdays a month if you miss a Wednesday opening nothing until Monday bit of time without a book.
The opening times I feel I would need to consult the timetable every time I wanted to visit the library i.e Wednesday we all know it is closed on a Wednesday. This new timetable on occasions will not be convenient.
Due to shifts at work I will be able to attend the library fewer days. I use the library to borrow books, but also for printing as I don't have a printer at home. If the new hours are introduced as proposed I may need to travel outwith the village to print documents as they are sometimes needed urgently. I would be happy for the library to remain closed on a Wednesday but open every Saturday as I sometimes can't attend during the week the Saturday opening is also better for young people to attend as they often have after school clubs. The alternate weeks for Wed & Sat opening will be extremely confusing and will probably lead to a drop in people using the library.
At CLASP, we use a space in the libraries for digital clients. I do this Monday - Friday and usually in multiple libraries per day. These changes may limit the help people receive in the areas that are facing reduced opening hours. I also feel the areas targeted are also towns/localities that already have limited services and it will further highlight this.
I am over 70 years. Reading is a big part of my leisure. I am in a local book club and can not afford to purchase the monthly book. I need the library! My grandchildren use it too - they come in after school - it needs to be open on days that do not clash with after school clubs, swimming lessons and music tuition! My youngest grandson adores bookbug and the weekly play session. It is a long day for my childminding if we have no activity to attend especially in winter. I loved the sewing/knitting group, the memory group etc The staff are my friends - I will miss them so much.
Thursday is when we use the library as kids drama classes are on same day around the corner. Alternate weeks is impossible to keep up with and what about the kids that go every Saturday...? Where do they go? Don't we want children going to libraries instead of using screens as per the Scottish Gov recommendations? Instead of cuts/cuts/cuts - Lets invest in these libraries and make them local hotspots that everyone wants to use. Might I also suggest managerial cuts instead of frontline workers who perform valuable services to the local community & actually have community spirit in mind.
Finally, the proposal mentions “creating meaningful posts with good hours”. If staff hours are being reduced, resulting in lower pay and pension contributions, it is difficult to see how they will have the time and resources to do more. I care about the wellbeing of the staff who work in our local library, and I hope that their welfare is given proper consideration as park of these proposals.
I also think the proposed opening pattern will be confusing. Remembering whether the library is open for a half day on Wednesday or open on Saturday is less straightforward than having one consistent arrangement. Keeping to either Wednesday or Saturdays would be much easier for people to remember. I know the opening hours will be displayed outside the library, and I expect they will also be shared on social media. However, this assumes everyone can easily access that information. Not everyone uses social media or passes the library regularly, particular those who live further away or have limited mobility. More could be done to make people aware of the library, the services it offers and any changes to opening hours. As a public service, the council should make sure everyone in the community knows what is available and is given plenty of notice before these changes take effect. People should not be expected to simply know what the library offers or to discover changes for themselves.
The consultation document says that groups led by library staff can easily be moved to another day. Again, this assumes that everyone who attends these groups will be free on the new day, which may not be the case. Many people have caring responsibilities, medical appointments or other commitments. The proposal talks about providing continuity for customers, but I don’t see how this can be achieved if library staff are regularly moved between different libraries. The staff at West Kilbride Library are excellent and a big part of what makes visiting the library such a positive experience. When staff change, it can feel like starting from scratch again. Building relationships with familiar staff matters, especially for regular users.