New West Sussex Library Service survey launched

“The survey takes a realistic look at the present and the future, and asks how often people read books, whether they use traditional paper volumes, electronic readers or audiobooks,” said a county council spokesman.

An introduction to the survey said it had been designed so library users and their children received the best value from the service.

“Spending a few minutes on these questions, it says, will ‘help us to understand your thoughts about the future of your library services,’” the spokesman added.

The survey, which goes live on tomorrow (September 3), also asks if, where and how people access the internet and what kind of e-reader they have.

The survey will also ask people how they access information from the County Council.

“Planning the library service of the future is a constant process of asking questions and listening to the answers,” said the council’s deputy leader, Cllr Lionel Barnard, who oversees libraries.

“We need to know how people rate their libraries, which ones they use, and what they use them for,” added Cllr Barnard.

The survey invites users to look ahead to future library services, and asks them how they would ‘spend’ 20 points on different priorities.

The priorities include modernising library buildings, and providing services from different locations. There is also space for people to come up with their own ideas on what should be provided.

Users can fill in the survey online at home and free of charge in libraries by visiting: www.westsussex.gov.uk/haveyoursay under Live Consultations.

Paper copies will shortly be available in libraries for anyone wanting to complete the survey.

The results will be available on the website from November.