Adult library users from across the city are being urged to have their say in the Public Library User Survey (PLUS) that will start on the 13 February.
The last PLUS survey took place in 2020 and has since informed the council about who uses the libraries and how the service can be adapted to better suit the needs of residents from all over the city. The survey, designed by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), is open to anyone aged 16 or over, should take no more than ten minutes to complete and can be filled in anonymously. All responses and comments provided are analysed by Council teams and where possible can lead to great improvements in libraries across the city. The last time the survey was conducted, 90.9% of customers rated their libraries overall as good and very good. 81% of respondents who reported feeling lonely some of the time or often, said that using the library helped to reduce these feelings. Previous surveys have informed improvements at libraries across the city such as revamped facilities at Didsbury Library, more temporary exhibitions at Central Library and extended opening hours at Wythenshawe Forum.
Executive Member for Skills, Culture and Leisure, Councillor John Hacking said:
“Manchester’s Libraries are the beating heart of our communities. Taking part in the Public Libraries User Survey gives residents from all over the city a unique opportunity to tell us what they think of their local libraries and, how they can be better suited to the needs of the communities. “Responses from last survey included extending opening hours at Avenue Library, Longsight Library and Newton Heath Library, which has since been implemented. Several responses from the last survey in 2019 commented that fines on overdue books were too high. We have since taken these comments into account and removed all fines on books brought back late. “Suggestions in the past have made a big difference and have helped us transform libraries in Manchester into hubs that are suited for those who use them most, the residents. “ To find out more about what happens in your local libraries please visit: www.manchester.gov.uk/libraries .