AN online survey has revealed that nine in ten library users are saying they will use their library less – or stop using it altogether – as a result of the £1.15 charge to reserve books that is being introduced on April 22nd. Meanwhile, a second survey conducted outside of four of Essex’s smaller libraries, found three-quarters of users will either visit their library less, or not at all, from April 22nd.

The online survey, which closed last weekend, received 1804 responses. 1215 people, 67.3%, said they would use their library less, while a further 395 people, 21.9%, said they would stop using their library completely. Just 10.8% said the charge would not make a difference. Furthermore, 1044 people, 58.2% of respondents, were not aware of the introduction of the charge.

A survey of 102 users of Broomfield, Galleywood, Great Baddow, and Writtle libraries, found that 9.8% will stop using, while 66.6% said they would use their library less. Only 23.5% said the charge would make no difference, while 66.7% were unaware of the charge.

A user of Billericay Library said on the survey: “We have to get books for my elderly father-in-law who lives in a care home. Most of the books/authors he likes have to be reserved, especially as he likes to read series in the correct order.’ – Billericay library user.”

While a user of Prettygate Library said: “As I am housebound, I order library books online and get someone to collect them for me. Buying second hand or kindle is almost as cheap as this fee, so it will deter me from ordering. Self defeating policy- people will use library less and then it will be deemed unsustainable.”

“The dramatic decline in use that will result from the introduction of reservation charges for books has now been proven to be far more dramatic than we ever imagined”, said a SOLE spokesperson. “With limited shelf space in smaller libraries, users inevitably have to order many books in. If the council leadership wanted to find a way to stop people using smaller libraries – which they tried to close in 2018/19 – the introduction of reservation charges for books is it.

“As well as the huge decline in use, the council should also be concerned that the surveys indicated up to two-thirds of library users are unaware that the charge is being introduced. The council has not done enough to let people know, it has not considered the affect on library users, and indeed these surveys are the nearest thing there has been to a meaningful impact assessment or a consultation.

“Supporters of SOLE will be raising the disastrous impact of these charges with Essex County Council election candidates over the next month, and will make this an election issue. It is imperative that whoever forms the new administration next month lifts this death sentence on Essex’s smaller libraries.”

The online survey results, with further comments, will be found here https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1SGNkDhzZZs0-_vg4xYXOT9OgpAY-UUmGlQpB1a0s6qU/edit?gid=1834466339#gid=1834466339

More on the paper survey will be found here https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Ho3E7ky6m/

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DueKeLZFx/