Nearly 9 out of 10 unhappy with library service at Lobley Hill

A SURVEY of residents of Lobley Hill and Dunston Hill, Gateshead, has found that nearly 9 out of 10 residents are unhappy with the library provision for the area since the branch library was closed in 2006.

The survey was carried out by Liberal Democrat campaigners and the findings have been sent to Gateshead Council in a report called Closing the Book: Observations from Lobley Hill and Dunston Hill Residents about Library Services at Lobley Hill.

Survey forms were sent to hundreds of residents in November and December. 89 replied with detailed answers.

Amongst the findings were:

1)86% of residents are unhappy with the replacement service following the closure of the branch (a much more limited service has been provided in a room in Lobley Hill Community Centre);
2)56% of those previously using the old library have given up using library services in Lobley Hill;
3)residents have complained of the new services being too crowded and too small with not enough room for parents with prams or people using wheelchairs;
4)people are upset that the photocopier service has gone, audio book services have to be ordered in advance and internet access is limited;
5)residents expressed their concerns about the lack of facilities for after school craft clubs and school holiday activities.

Survey organiser Susan Craig said, “Residents of Lobley Hill are upset at the loss of the branch library and clearly they do not feel the new service in the Community Centre is an adequate alternative.

“It is worrying that so many people have given up completely on using the slimmed down replacement service and it is understandable why. The new library in the Community Centre is little more than a cupboard.”

Councillor Yvonne McNicol, who represents Dunston Hill and part of Lobley Hill, helped organise the survey. She said, “We are taking up the results of the survey with Gateshead Council.

“We feel that the service needs to be expanded and residents should be involved directly in the decisions about the library service.”

Photo (left to right) Susan Craig, Councillor Peter Maughan and Councillor Yvonne McNicol reveal the level of unhappiness with library provision in Lobley Hill and Dunston Hill, outside Lobley Hill Community Centre (location for the reduced library service).