Comments on: Lewisham usage collapses https://www.publiclibrariesnews.com/2011/12/lewisham-usage-collapses.html What's happening to your library? Tue, 06 Dec 2011 11:57:14 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 By: Edith https://www.publiclibrariesnews.com/2011/12/lewisham-usage-collapses.html#comment-191 Tue, 06 Dec 2011 11:57:14 +0000 http://83.170.89.36/~publicli/2011/12/lewisham-usage-collapses.html#comment-191 On the Lewisham stats, I think part of the issue is very poor usage/updating of the library system by undertrained volunteers etc. I borrowed two books from the New Cross ‘community’ library and after a few days they hadn’t appeared on my online library account. On returning one book to the central library I asked about this – the assistant rolled their eyes and explained they’d had a lot of problems at New Cross (I didn’t ask about the other outsourced libraries). They’re supposed to regularly sync their issues with the system but over three weeks later the other book still isn’t on my record. If I wanted I could keep it. Apparently I also need to keep an eye on my account as they might sync the issue after I return the book…

I’m not arguing that usage hasn’t dropped, but that lack of training/experience does mean the stats are likely to be far below reality. In the near future I think lost item stats for the affected libraries will make interesting reading.

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