THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WAS GATHERED FROM SURVEYS CARRIED OUT BY FORUM MEMBERS DURING OCTOBER 2002

ANALYSIS BY: – KILMACOLM VILLAGE CENTRE FORUM

CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
1.2 Kilmacolm Library History
1.3 Perception Study Questionnaire and Scope
1.4 Audit Commission and Peoples Network

2. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS
2.1 Kilmacolm Library Survey
2.2 General Issues Survey

3. ANALYSIS OF PERCEPTION STUDY REPLIES –
KILMACOLM LIBRARY

4. ANALYSIS OF PERCEPTION STUDY REPLIES –
GENERAL ISSUES

5. THE NEXT STAGE

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

As part of a process of determining what future facilities and services require to be catered for in a new Village Centre, Kilmacolm Village Centre Forum and Inverclyde Council decided to undertake two studies:-
– a Facilities Survey of existing and future community accommodation requirements;
– a Kilmacolm Library Perception Survey which involved residents defining their views on the present Library services, and what improve-ments or developments they feel may be necessary in the future.

This report deals with the second of these surveys.

1.2 Kilmacolm Library History

According to the Third Statistical Account of Scotland the Kilmacolm branch of the County Library was set up in 1958 as part of a modern community service. Forty-four years later it is still located in the Community Centre at Kilmacolm Cross. Several constraints to its development now exist not least in terms of space and accessibility, particularly for the disabled. To overcome this and cope with future reading and learning demands the possibility of relocating it to a more suitable site is now being actively considered by Inverclyde Council.

Currently there are over 13,000 library user visits a year.

1.3 Perception Study Questionnaire and Scope

A Perception Study Questionnaire was prepared by Kilmacolm Village Centre Forum and Inverclyde Council to obtain residents’ views on a range of related issues, a copy of which was sent to households in Kilmacolm and Quarriers Village. Three hundred and forty-five households replied mainly from Kilmacolm representing eight hundred and three residents.

1.4 Audit Commission Report and Peoples Network

In preparing the questionnaire two important matters had to be taken into account:-

An Audit Commission Report dated 2002. Building Better Library Services. A section of the report “Learning from Audit, Inspection and Research” is at Appendix I, in which it states that “Libraries are an important, valued council services, with the potential to contribute to priorities for learning, inclusion and e-government”.

The Peoples Network which is a Government initiative launched in 1997 with the objective of connecting all public libraries in the United Kingdom to the Internet by March 2003. Its aim is not only to provide the public with access to a computer, but also to introduce new users to I.T. A special Government grant has been received by Inverclyde Council and the Council will provide additional funds to develop this project as necessary.

Against this background, and with the Perception Study information contained in this report, Inverclyde Council’s Libraries and Museums will be able to plan a programme of change which could be incorporated into a new Kilmacolm Library and Learning Centre.

Principle Findings

2.1 KILMACOLM LIBRARY SURVEY

Section 1.
This indicates that 803 residents participated in the survey of which 376 were males and 427 females.

The following table illustrates the age profile of participants:-

Almost 24% of households which participated in the survey were non users.

Approximately 24% of households were not aware of the Library opening hours.

The percentage of households which indicated that the standard of service was poor or very poor was as follows:

% Use

2.2    

GENERAL ISSUES – SURVEY

The key issue emerging from the Study on General Issues contained in Section 7 and 7.1 of the questionnaire is that only 45% of family members of participating households use the community facilities, i.e. the Village and Community Centres.  Many of them use more than one facility.  Fitness and fitness related activities account for
20% of facility usage, classes 19%, meetings 20%, art group 10%, dramatic club, bridge, parties and horticulture etc., 30

The following table shows the volume of support for activities identified by participants as those which they would like to see in the future:- 

 

3.         Analysis of Perception Study Replies � Kilmacolm Library.

The following details have been extracted from the questionnaires returned from householders.  The sequence of replies follows the exact format used in that document.

1.      Household Information – Number and Profile of Replies

N.B.  Several participants did not indicate in which of the above four status categories they should be included. 

3.

AWARENESS OF LIBRARY

3.1

Do you believe Kilmacolm Library builds public awareness and clear vision of its services?

Yes

112

No

176

3.2

Does Kilmacolm Library need to raise its profile?

Yes

254

No

49

3.3

Do you think Kilmacolm Library is tailored to meet the needs of the community,  e.g. providing adequate IT and other Learning Facilities/Welfare Support

Yes

87

No

161

3.4

In what way do you believe the Kilmacolm Library service could be improved?

COMMENTS:

In Annex A (Sector 3.4) a detailed summary of 166 comments is shown, of which 45 relate to a call for a wider selection/more books, 38 suggesting larger premises required, 14 requests for more I.T. facilities and 13 for refurbishment.  

COMMENTS:

Because of the detail and volume of comments these are not listed here.  Should readers of this report wish to read individual comments they should request sight of the individual Perception Study questionnaires.

COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS:

Because of the detail and volume of comments these are not listed here.  Should readers of this report wish to read individual comments they should request sight of the individual Perception Study questionnaires.

4.         Analysis of  Perception Study Replies – General Issues

5.

THE NEXT STAGE

The information contained in this report should assist Inverclyde Council to plan changes for any revision to the community facilities in terms of Library and Learning Services and accommodation.

It is uncertain as to the length of time the usage trends and possible technical facilities identified will exist.  In the case of facility usage trends these could remain broadly the same over the next twenty years depending on population growth.

However, on the technical side (IT) it is highly unlikely that these facilities will last more than ten years.  This should be a major consideration in the deliberations on future service provisions.