Results from Breathing Places Section of Library Evaluation February 2007

1. Results from Breathing Places Section of Library EvaluationFebruary 2007

2. Response Rate • 63% of library authorities completed at least part of the survey • 55% completed both sections

3. Sign-Up and Participation Percentages of the 2537 libraries included in the Breathing Places survey who signed up at different levels, and who participated at different levels. Sign-Up Level Participation Level

4. Enquiries • 5777 Breathing Places enquiries were recorded across 61 library authorities (many library authorities could not answer this question). • This is an average of 95 enquiries per library authority, despite 8 library authorities recording no BP enquiries at all. Sources of Enquiries Other enquiries came from leaflets and displays in libraries

5. Materials Percentage of libraries that used different Breathing Places materials In addition, 51% of libraries actively directed readers towards the Breathing Places website

6. Total number of Breathing Places activities Percentage of library authorities that held activities Total Number of Participants in Breathing Places Activities Average Number of Participants per Breathing Places Activity Activities

7. Other Breathing Places Activities Nest box making A beetle drive Quizzes Decorating flower pots Talks on ‘Gardening Through the Year’ A riverside walk Storytime in the Park Talks from a Park Warden Composting Advice

8. General Comments Percentage of library authorities who made these comments in response to the question, “Please give us any comments or feedback on the campaign or the materials.”

9. Verbatims It has been easy to promote Breathing Places as lots of people are interested in nature and the environment Good publicity materials which have gone very well but were scarce in number We are building up good relationships with local environmental groups as a result of the Breathing Places campaign, which will be useful in mounting events of this nature in the future The poster with the books along the branches of the trees was the best poster I've ever seen! It hit just the right note There are several events being planned in libraries for this year, as well as a featured Breathing Places Week in September to tie in with Autumn Watch Well-marketed by Bill Oddie and Autumnwatch Breathing Places has appealed to our staff, and they're keen to promote it

10. Summary • 94% of libraries participated in the Breathing Places campaign, mostly at a minimal level. • Most Breathing Places enquiries were a result of the television coverage. • The booklets, bookmarks, posters and stickers were all very popular. • The materials were very considered to be well made, but greater quantities were requested. • There have not been a huge number of Breathing Places events in libraries, but many more are planned for the future. • Libraries have held many different types of events, as there are high levels of staff enthusiasm for the campaign. • The campaign has been useful in helping libraries to establish partnerships with other organisations.