The idea is something we are taking forward as a capability for all users but first it is essential that you have permission under Data Protection Act Legislation and to do that each member has to give their agreement for the express purpose intended. We are considering using a wording on the membership form: Staying up to date c Please send me information about the Libraries, Guildhall Art Gallery or other Corporation services developments and events. c Please contact me to obtain my views on a variety of topics. The information you provide on this form will be used to maintain membership records and help us to improve our services. Your information will not be disclosed to third parties and will be treated in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. Hope this helps others. John Lake Librarian Barbican Library Silk Street London UK EC2Y 8DS Tel: + 44 (0) 207 382 7098 Fax + 44 (0) 207 638 2249 email: [log in to unmask] -----Original Message----- From: Daguerre, Maia [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: 23 February 2004 09:32 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Consulting users 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. THIS E-MAIL AND ANY ATTACHED FILES ARE CONFIDENTIAL AND MAY BE LEGALLY PRIVILEGED. If you are not the addressee, any disclosure, reproduction, copying, distribution or other dissemination or use of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error please notify the sender immediately and then delete this e-mail. Opinions, advice or facts included in this message are given without any warranties or intention to enter into a contractual relationship with the Corporation of London unless specifically indicated otherwise by agreement, letter or facsimile signed by an authorised signatory of the Corporation. Any part of this e-mail which is purely personal in nature is not authorised by the Corporation of London. All e-mail through the Corporation's gateway is potentially the subject of monitoring. All liability for errors and viruses is excluded. Website: http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk