In October 2009 we asked for your views about library services as part of a national library survey.
This was in addition to our own special survey about library services in East Sussex – What do you want from library services.
Who could take part
The national survey takes a snapshot of views for a week – in East Sussex it ran from 12 to 17 October 2009.
We asked anyone over 16 to complete a short questionnaire when they visited a library. Library staff were on hand to help if wanted.
This survey is run in a similar way by local authorities throughout England.
What you told us
7,122 people completed the questionnaire, providing useful information about how you rate our services.
You told us:
- 88% of customers rated their library very good or good
- 96% of customers rated the standard of customer care as very good or good
- 78% rated the attractiveness of the inside of their library very good or good
- Seaford, Newhaven, Rye, Hastings and Wadhurst libraries received lower than average rating for overall satisfaction with the library and attractiveness of the inside of the library.
What will happen as a result of this consultation
As with our own survey, your views will give us a clear idea of what needs to be improved or changed and inform our business planning.
We are:
- planning to open a new library in Rye by January 2011
- planning to build a new library and day care centre in Seaford
- working towards improving library provision in Newhaven and Hastings.
For details about how we are developing library services, please read about our Key developments, policies and plans in libraries.
Actions taken
Work is already underway to upgrade some of our library buildings and we will improve the look and feel inside our libraries, making the entrance areas more welcoming with clear floorplans and displays.
We opened new libraries in Wadhurst in July 2010 and Rye in January 2011. We also expanded Forest Row Library in October 2011.
We've also started work on improving library buildings in Seaford and Hastings.
For more information, see our page Improving library buildings.
Contact us
If you have any questions about these surveys, please contact our Library and Information Service.
East Sussex County Council