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Perspectives and Reality

Perspectives and Reality. OR Barriers to public library usage identified in the Libraries Building Communities reports . LBC – a groundbreaking project. Includes all 44 Victorian public library services Draws on the views and ideas of nearly 10,000 Victorians

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Perspectives and Reality

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  1. Perspectives and Reality OR Barriers to public library usage identified in the Libraries Building Communities reports

  2. LBC – a groundbreaking project • Includes all 44 Victorian public library services • Draws on the views and ideas of nearly 10,000 Victorians • Data on who uses libraries, why and what benefits they obtain • Data on who is not using public libraries and why • Shows what people value about public libraries and what they see as their future role • Presents case studies for public libraries at the forefront in responding to community needs • Reports available at www.slv.vic.gov.au

  3. Report 3: Bridging the Gaps • Detailed quantitative data on who is using public libraries • Identification of groups who are not using public libraries • Barriers to using public libraries • Suggestions for reducing the barriers • 60% of Victorians use public libraries

  4. Barriers to use Drawing on the views of: - 35 community leaders - 24 focus groups (users; non-users; staff) Four groups of barriers identified: - Lifestyle preferences - Infrastructure and environment - Resources and services - Communication

  5. 30% of Victorians don’t use public libraries for lifestyle reasons: - have access to alternative resources - have no time in their lives Many are strong supporters of public libraries and perceive them as desirable core institutions in a healthy society Lifestyle preferences as a barrier

  6. Infrastructure barriers • Physical design / unfriendly buildings - unattractive buildings - lack of appropriate spaces within buildings - access issues • Poor signage (especially for CALD groups) • Poor proximity to public transport and other facilities • Inadequate car parking

  7. When you go to Borders or whatever, you have a mixture of shops you can go to … but when you go to libraries, it’s just like one stop, you can’t go anywhere elseOne library is on two levels, which does not cater for the physically disabledTop shelves are too high for the elderly to reach and bottom shelves too low for them to bend down

  8. Resource and service barriers Not offering up-to-date material Inadequate collections for specific groups: - minority language groups - students Inadequate adaptive technology for disabled Poor access to IT AV resources often of poor quality Limited activities for some groups: - elderly; teenagers

  9. Resource and service barriers Fines Charges Inappropriate opening hours Staff reluctant to engage with ‘high maintenance’ groups, eg: teenagers Lack of staff speaking community languages

  10. I have the perception, rightly or wrongly, that the library probably isn’t going to have what I want There is a disability PC; however, regular able-bodied users are often seated at this PC, making it difficult for disabled people to gain access I remember my son borrowing a video, but the quality was very, very poor and he decided it was better to pay a few dollars at the video shop

  11. Getting the books together from all the kids to return was really hard. They kept calling and I was embarrassed when I finally brought them in The big stick approach will only scare users away. We need a carrot – it doesn’t need to be a big one because our people are eager to learn When your child says I need this book, this book and this book [from another library] … we haven’t got that sort of money

  12. Communication barriers • Culture – ‘it’s not for people like us’ • Lack a modern and welcoming image: - a ‘high school feel’ for teenagers - displays and section signage not inviting - too quiet / too ‘booky’ - not enough extra / ‘feel good’ facilities (eg: coffee shops; gallery space) • Lack of awareness of the full range of services

  13. I think there’s a stigma attached to libraries. Quiet booky types or elderly people come here. It’s not an ‘in’ place to be seen, especially for young people None of my mates come to the library A lot of people forget it’s here I was not aware of all the services. I was surprised when I read the survey and saw all they had to offer. Libraries tend to have an image of being ‘old musty places’, without modern collections / recent bestsellers

  14. Important things to note LBC Report 3: Bridging the Gaps is not a negative report Public libraries have a predominantly positive image in the community Not all of the barriers to usage relate to every public library Some of the barriers relate to outmoded perceptions of public libraries – perceptions that need to be turned around There are many strategies for overcoming the barriers for those who do not use libraries

  15. Reports available from Every public library service manager in Victoria State Library of Victoria website www.slv.vic.gov.au Download at no cost, or purchase from the Online Shop

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