I've been asked by a few of you to summarize the responses I've received
regarding trying to set up a user group.  I received 9 responses- thanks
to all who replied.
They were quite a mixed bunch. Several of you had had user groups but
they had been unsuccessful.  This was perceived to be due to lack of
interest from users and eventually Library staff had found they were
forced to raise all the topics for discussion,  lack of time to attend
meetings,  difficulty in giving feedback to users etc.
When setting up a user group, most of you had tried to get reps from
your major user groups eg doctors, nurses, PAMs etc You had invited some
key users,  who you knew to be enthusiastic and supportive, but had also
approached the departments looking for some reps.
A couple of you said that you thought a steering group was more
effective than a user group.  This steering group consisted of
stakeholders eg reps from R&D, Quality, Human Resources with some reps
from your major user groups. It was felt the stakeholders gave the group
more political clout!
Several of you warned against setting up an old style committee with the
dangers of the group wanting to take on more than an advisory role. It
was suggested to draw up a rationale/remit for the user group so that
everyone is clear from the beginning what the role of the group would
be!
2 of you have a local discussion list going as an alternative to having
a group which meets face to face. These you felt were successful and
were used together with a Suggestions box and newsletter in order to
publicise that the Library is open to comments from users.
Generally, responders said that even if they didn't feel the user group
was necessarily the route to take- some sort of committee/steering
group/mailing group is a good idea as it shows the service is user
focused. You all found that some form of user interaction is a very
useful two way communication process to test new ideas and to keep up to
date with events within the Trust.
Hope this is helpful!
Happy Christmas!!!!

Stephanie Picton
Stephanie Picton
Assistant Librarian
North Essex Hospitals' Library & Information Service
Colchester General Hospital
Turner Road
Colchester
Essex
CO4 5JL
T: (01206) 742146 or 742396
F: (01206) 742107