The outcome of a survey gauging borrowers' experiences in using the Northcliffe Public Library in its new location within the Northcliffe Visitor Centre (NVC) has overwhelmingly confirmed the value of public organisations collaborating to the benefit of their community.
In total, 65 people responded to the survey, 50 via the online platform Survey Monkey and 15 by completing hardcopy versions of the survey. The outcome was 56 responses in favour of the co-location and nine responses against, confirming that 86 per cent of respondents support the co-location arrangement.
The Northcliffe Public Library was re-located into the NVC on 21 June 2018. The move increased the library's opening hours from 15 to 49 hours per week and improved the long-term sustainability of both organisations.
Survey respondents said they were enjoying the flexibility of library visits thanks to the extended opening hours. A number of respondents had also expressed their appreciation at having access to the old library space as a meeting space for local community groups. Rhyme and Story Time activities continue to take place in the old space and numbers have increased dramatically during the past year.
The survey also sought feedback on ideas for improving the layout of the Library within the NVC space and for building the library collection to ensure it continues to meet local borrowers' interests and needs. Where appropriate, this feedback will be incorporated into future planning related to the physical layout and composition of the library collection.
Shire President Paul Omodei confirmed "the positive feedback from the Survey coupled with general comments made to staff by library patrons appear to have endorsed the Shire's decision to re-locate the Library into the NVC. As a result, the Library will remain in the NVC permanently".
