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Library Users – They Say ‘Yes’
There can be no doubt that Wigan Borough’s library service is proving
popular with the public following the results of an extensive public
survey released today.
The PLUS survey (Public Library User Survey) follows a national
framework and is used by all library authorities to test the views of a
their users about a range of library related subjects.
The Wigan Borough survey covered all sixteen libraries and found that
94.4% of library users were satisfied with the library service overall.
Staff in particular were highly praised, with staff helpfulness rated at
a staggering 98.9% and customers gave their approval to the new opening
hours rolled out across libraries - 92.6% thought they worked well.
Areas that the public were questioned on included: suitability of
opening hours; provision of seating and tables; attractiveness of the
library inside and outside; staff helpfulness; choice of books; physical
condition of books; access to computers and customer safety.
Ian Bancroft, Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s Executive Director for
Libraries, said, “We are very pleased with the results of this survey
and they prove we are moving in the right direction. We have endeavoured
to improve our services across the piece, whether it be by revising
opening hours, improving the comfort of the libraries or through
improving our book stock.
“This survey places our library service favourably against other areas
of the country when comparing the results and we are extremely proud of
that. I would like to thank all of our excellent staff who helped moved
library standards forward over the last couple of years, without their
support and dedication this would not have been possible.”
The PLUS survey also reported that:
• 90.4% of library visitors found a book to borrow;
• 80.4% found the information they were looking for;
• 79.1% approved of the provision of seating and tables;
• 77.7% thought that the library’s were attractive on the inside;
• 94.1% felt libraries were a safe place to visit;
• 86.6% approved of the choice of books;
• 87.5%. were satisfied with the physical condition of the books;
• 81.3% felt that the computer facilities were good;
• and 95.8% were satisfied with the quality of information provided.
As well as rating the service that the library service provides, the
survey also helps to profile customers better by gathering information
such as gender, age, employment status, ethnicity, and the health status
of users.
The largest group of users are aged between 55 and 64 (18%), the second
largest at 17.9% are aged between 35 and 44.
Other information gathered about Wigan Borough’s library users includes:
• 59% of library users are female;
• 36% are retired and 23.6% are in full time employment;
• 10.9% have a mobility related disability;
• and 93.6% are white British.
Wigan Borough’s libraries are managed by Wigan Leisure and Culture
Trust, on behalf of Wigan Council. For further information about Wigan
Borough’s libraries, visit
www.wlct.org/libraries or contact your local
library. To find out where your nearest library is located call 01942
827619.
-ends-
NOTES TO EDITORS: For further information on this News Release please
contact Chris Dunbar, Public Relations Manager, Wigan Leisure and
Culture Trust on 01942 486937 or at
c.dunbar@wlct.org.
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust: Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust is a
charitable trust working on behalf of Wigan Council to manage and
support leisure and cultural facilities, initiatives and events for over
300,000 residents in the Wigan Borough. See
www.wlct.org.
Getting Wigan Active: Getting Wigan Active is Wigan Leisure and Culture
Trust’s vision to ensure that people across the Wigan Borough have the
opportunity to become more physically, mentally and creatively active.
It also aims to increase community activity and to encourage good
citizenship.
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