| Mr Aiken said: “Public libraries have served the community well for generations. They have been providing a public service though a period which has seen major lifestyle changes in society.
“People’s habits in relation to shopping, socialising and travel have changed significantly in recent decades and the Internet has opened up many new opportunities for people.
“Libraries have been providing a valuable public service and we want to ensure that they will be as relevant and important to people of all ages and backgrounds in the future.
“The Government rightly has told us that we need to increase the amount of money we spend on books in the future. Without a plentiful supply of new books people stop borrowing from libraries. The Service has experienced a 10% drop off in borrowers during the last financial year alone. If the public doesn’t use the Library Service they run the risk of losing it.
“We want to spend the money we have in the best possible way and best-suited to customers’ needs. Choosing priorities may mean that your Library Service changes, for instance, fewer branch libraries but more mobile library stops and re-arranged opening hours could allow more money to be spent on books. By completing the questionnaire, you will help to inform the decision making process on the future provision of Library Services in the Board’s area. And as well as the views of those who use libraries, we want to hear from people who are not library customers but who would like to use the service.”
The questionnaire is aimed at eliciting views on: the book stock available in libraries; the format users prefer for music or film; computer facilities;
opening days and hours; rural library provision; mobile library provision; how libraries are accessed.
Questionnaires are available in all branch libraries and in other community facilities. A questionnaire can also be downloaded by visiting http://www.selb.org/library/survey.doc
Completed questionnaires can be deposited in boxes provided in branch libraries. Those posted must be returned to: Central Management Support Unit, Southern Education & Library Board, 3 Charlemont Place , The Mall,
ARMAGH , BT61 9AX .
All questionnaires should be returned by Friday, March 24, 2006.
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