Libraries
Current Strategy
Hampshire County Council is responsible for providing the library service in Fareham. There are four libraries in the Borough and these are located at Fareham, Lockswood, Portchester and Stubbington.
Hampshire County Council carries out a Public Library Users Survey on a rolling basis. The four libraries in Fareham Borough were all surveyed in 2000 and 2001
The County produces an annual library service plan in which it sets out its strategies and priorities.
Current Provision
The four library buildings in Fareham Borough are as follows:-
- Fareham - 1970s building close to the shopping precinct. This library has more issues than any other library administered by the County
- Lockswood - this is a modern library within a community centre. It is in a prime position in the shopping centre.
- Portchester - this is a modern library sharing an entrance with a Health Centre.
- Stubbington - this is a well used, modern building.
The libraries are listed at Appendix B.
Statistics relating to use of the Borough's libraries are as follows:
| (2000 - 01) | Fareham | Lockswood | Portchester | Stubbington |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yearly visits to the library | 526,718 | 141,922 | 122,473 | 126,301 |
| Yearly issues | 654,981 | 214,220 | 158,799 | 200,100 |
| Yearly enquiries | 70,070 | 11,696 | 10,506 | 18,384 |
Current service provision in Fareham includes:-
- Active Fareham Information Network, which brings together local information providers.
- A "Dads and Lads" project at Fareham library to promote reading amongst teenage boys, involving their fathers.
Consultation
The Public Library Users Survey is a rolling survey undertaken in a proportion of libraries each year. The four libraries in the Fareham district have been surveyed in different years as shown below.
The percentage shows how many respondents of the total who took part in the survey answered "good" or "very good" to the questions below.
| Questions on: | Fareham (2000) | Lockswood (2001) | Portchester (2000) | Stubbington (2001) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
| Hours of opening | 85.8 | 62.3 | 72.8 | 77.7 |
| Staff knowledge and expertise | 91.7 | 95.5 | 96.6 | 97.5 |
| Staff helpfulness | 97.1 | 98 | 98 | 99.2 |
| Books and information sought and found on the same day | 63.6 | 82 | 66.2 | 87.4 |
What does Fareham need?
The four libraries in the Borough of Fareham are well used and there appears to be high public satisfaction with the service received.
Some concern has been expressed about opening hours at Lockswood library and as a result the hours will be extended this year.
Fareham residents would also like to see all libraries staying open later and greater opportunity for partnership working and community use. IT facilities need to be accessible to disabled people.
Strategic Objectives
- To maintain high standards of customer service at all libraries in Fareham Borough.
- To extend the range of services provided such as DVD and CD Rom collection and Play Stations.
- To extend the library at Lockswood.
- To develop further the active Fareham Information Network, bringing together local information providers.
- To maintain Guidance Council Quality Standards accreditation at Fareham Library.
- To promote reading amongst target groups eg. children and teenage boys.
- To maintain Community Legal Services Self-Help Information Standard at all libraries.
- To develop e-government initiatives.
- To develop self renewal and reservation facilities.
- To develop Peoples Network in all libraries.
- To monitor public opinion on opening hours and take appropriate action.
Relationship to Other Strategies
The strategic objectives for the library service inter-relate with other Council strategies in a number of ways, e.g.
- Youth - promoting reading among teenage boys.
- Lifelong Learning - availability of traditional library services as well as internet opportunities
- Partnerships and Social Inclusion - Fareham Information Network and Peoples Network.
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