Friday 24 October 2008

Focus Groups

If you would like to get more involved in the Garforth Library Big Lottery Project, have your say, and possibly influence the services, events and activities that are provided in the new building, then why not join one of our focus groups?

The first focus group meetings will be taking place in January. For further details give Ben a ring on (0113) 395-2354.

Garforth Library in 1969 - Photos by Stuart Clark

Thanks for letting us use your photos Stuart!






Monday 20 October 2008

Frequently Asked Questions

The A-Z list below shows the most popular matters that have arisen as a result of the ongoing consultation with the community:

Accessibility features in new building:
o Lift.
o Ramp.
o Automatic doors.
o Downstairs disabled toilets & meeting room.

Bikes:
o There will be a bike rack outside the new building.


Books:
o There will definitely not be fewer books in the new library.
o The new library will feature a good proportion of new stock, this will be purchased next year.
o We are currently investigating ways in which the public could be more involved in influencing the stock we purchase.


Coffee/Drink/Food:
o Coffee, drinks & possibly some food will be provided in the “comfortable reading area” upstairs.
o This will be a small operation, not a full-blown café.


Comfortable seating area:
o A reading area featuring comfortable seating and tables will be located upstairs.
o Coffee will be served in this area.


Computers:
o There will definitely not be fewer computers in the new library.
o New computers will be bought especially for the new library.


Events:
o We are keen to hold more & improved events e.g. author events, kids events etc. in the new library.
o A great way to influence what type of events you’d like to see in the new library is to sign up to one of our focus groups. Contact Ben at (0113) 3952354 for further details.


Green Technology:
o The new library will feature:
o A living sedum roof.
o Air source heat pump to warm the building.
o Solar panels to heat water for the building.


Lighting:
o The new building will feature improved natural lighting from bigger windows and sun pipes.
o Artificial lighting will also be improved.


Meeting Room:
o The new meeting room will be downstairs and have tea/coffee facilities.
o It will be accessible outside library hours.
o There will be a booking system, but this will be determined nearer the time of the reopening.
o The new room will be smaller than the present meeting room. Larger groups will need to book a time-slot in the Young People’s area. Exactly how this arrangement will work will be determined nearer the time of the reopening.


Opening Hours:
o We are aware that the current opening hours are unsatisfactory and confusing.
o Consultation delivered nearer to the time of the library’s reopening will determine the new opening hours.


Parking:
o Parking facilities will be the same as for the present building.
o We are aware that some customers feel the parking facilities are unsatisfactory, however it was not possible to improve these facilities on the present site.


Pedestrian Crossing:
o We are aware that some customers feel strongly that a pedestrian crossing is required across
Church Lane.
o Libraries have investigated this matter with Leeds City Council’s Highways Department who have said that this is not possible.
o Members of the public who wish to take this further should contact the Highways Dept, their helpline number is: 0845 124 0113.


Toilets (public):
o There will be 2 downstairs toilets with disabled facilities, and baby change facilities, for the public to use.


Young People’s Area:
o The new library will feature a young people’s area.
o It will contain new computers & an interactive whiteboard.
o It will be divided from the rest of the library by a soundproof glass wall.

Friday 17 October 2008

A Successful Event

A successful Community Engagement Event took place at Garforth Library on September 25th. A first session was held at 2:00, and the session was repeated at 6:00. Staff from Leeds Library & Information Service, the Garforth One Stop Centre, and Leeds City Credit Union all gave presentations. These presentations were followed by a question and answer session.

Attendees were certainly not afraid to ask questions and have their views heard!

The event had been advertised locally, and special invitations were sent to local community groups and to individuals who had previously expressed an interest in being consulted about the project.

Staff were pleased with the attendance, speaking to more than 60 people from a wide variety of backgrounds and age-groups throughout the day. 43 people signed up to be members of focus groups.