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My only concern would be the large number of users who cannot be contacted through email - I think you would need to run a parallel process to capture their views otherwise you risk marginalising them. There are still a lot of people out there who simply don't want to engage in IT - no matter how much support we offer. You can lead a horse to a PC, but you can't make it send an email....or something. Maia Daguerre Information Services Manager York Library, Museum Street, York YO1 7DS * (01904) 552802 www.york.gov.uk/libraries -----Original Message----- From: Frank Black [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: 23 February 2004 00:12 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Consulting users I saw a posting recently about focus groups and have been giving some thought to the idea of an email consultation forum. At present my authority has local library user committees but I can see a number of advantages in replacing these by an email system. Speed - consultation could be, well..., almost immediate. Users could be consulted on any subject at anytime. Committment on the part of users would be minimal - if they didn't want to respond on any particular subject they could just ignore the mail. A wider range of users could probably be enlisted than at present as our committees have a certain age/gender profile. If there were a big enough group willing to be consulted responses could be analysed by user profile (eg 25% of employed male users prefer to pay more for their DVDs but only want to borrow them for 2 nights). Users could be consulted just about their own library or about general issues. Cost - big saving in staff time not to mention heating lighting etc. Training could, of course, be provided for those without the necessary skills/Internet access. What do others think? Is anyone already doing it? Frank Black Winterbourne Library South Gloucestershire 01454-865654 * * * * * * * * * * * * This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. This email represents the personal views of the author/sender. The author/sender has no authority or delegation to bind the City of York Council by this e-mail and the City of York Council accepts no responsibility whatsoever for its contents. Please note that any reply to this email may be screened.