Have your say on future of Southend libraries (From Southend Standard)

Southend Council launches consultation to find out what residents want from their local library

5:23pm Wednesday 3rd October 2012 in Echo News By Emma Thomas

RESIDENTS are being asked what they want from their local library.

Southend Council wants people to let them know what they want out of the service in the face of declining numbers visiting the library.

Derek Jarvis, Southend councillor responsible for culture, said: “The way people use libraries is changing.

“More and more people are using our online services and over the past three years there has been a 12 per cent decline in the number of people visiting our libraries.

“The purpose of the review will be to find out what local residents want from their library service and whether we can meet their needs more effectively in financially challenging times.

“We have no preconceived ideas as to the final outcome of the consultation and we need as many people as possible to give us their views. It is these view which will help shape the future library services for the borough.”

The consultation will run until Sunday, January, 6, and residents are being asked to have their say using an online questionnaire which can be found at www.southend.gov.uk/libraryreview.

Paper copies of the questionnaire will be available at all local library branches.