Thank you to all who replied to my appeal for advice on managing access to a first floor library via an external lift. Here is a precis of the results:
- use glass sided lifts to lessen incidence of claustrophobia
- hold events upstairs to encouage initial use
- readers love them especially those with pushchairs and wheelchairs
- two lifts are essential - to compensate for one being out of order
- high maintenance costs
- obvious security cameras to deter vandalism, graffitti and worse
- setting high service standards to minimize time that people are stuck in lifts
- ensure that the lifts are firemans' lifts so that they can still be used to evacuate people, especially those with disabilities from the building. If the lifts are not to this standard other evacuation procedures and equipment must be put in place
- lifts always cost far more than originally estimated - multiply by 8
- mess, green mould and waterlogged carpet
I am really looking forward to the next few months!
Best wishes
Marilyn Higson
Principal Librarian, Central & South
Borough of Telford & Wrekin
Telford Library
St. Quentins Gate
TELFORD
TF3 4JG
01952 292138