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June 29, 2006
Response from Devon County Council
Sincere thanks to Janet Kipling of the press office at Devon County Council.
Janet- if you read this you might like to have a look at the entry on market research which Mr Grimsdyke made a few days ago and pass it your colleagues. I think Mr Grimsdyke might have a few ideas about how to conduct the research in your review that you would find helpful.
In reply to Tim Coates' posting of June 1.
No such decision has been made to close 12 libraries. The Council is currently carrying out a full review of the service to establish what people use and want libraries for, and how we can best meet those needs. The initial analysis which was carried out to pinpoint the 12 libraries whose futures are specifically under consideration used the following criteria:
Community Need
The aim was to provide a reasonable assessment of the extent to which each library catchment area was “disadvantaged” using the following indicators:
*Social deprivation (Overall IMD 2000 Index of Multiple Deprivation) 2000 – as background see also http://www.odpm.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1128450 http://www.odpm.gov.uk/pub/453/MethodologyforanindexofmultipledeprivationreportforformalconsultationPDF251Kb_id1128453.pdf
*Geographical access to services
*Public transport index - based on availability of public transport to parishes within each library catchment area (from LTP – Local Transport Plan)
*Isolation index - based on the number of other libraries within 10km and 20 km of each library
Usage level
The usage level indicators were:
Issues per opening hour
Visits per opening hour
Enquiries per opening hour
Based on library performance data from 1999 to 2002/03 (the last complete and validated year at the time of the evaluation), the % change in each of these indicators over the previous three years.
Final results
Other factors taken into account:
The need to address forthcoming requirements in the future new communities eg Cranbrook in East Devon, affecting Clyst Vale
Previous commitments already made to improving library buildings
Alternative improved premises being sought in town centres ie Cullompton
I hope this clarifies the issue and would urge all goodlibraryguide readers living in Devon to take part in the consultation at http://www.devon.gov.uk/index/culturetourism/libraries/libraryconsultation2006.htm
From Devon County Council Press Office
Posted by Perkins at June 29, 2006 9:38 PM