Worcester Library and History Centre Engaging Teenagers in Consultation

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Worcester Library and History CentreEngaging
Teenagers in Consultation

• Nicki Hitchcock
• 22nd May 2007

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About the Library and History Centre Project

• Unique project
• Combine Public and University Library, Record
  Office, Archaeology Service and the Hub (Customer
  Service Centre)
• Not just co-located but working closely together
• 50million PFI project
• Expected completion date 2011
• 10,500 square metres

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Consultation

• Consultation is vital to the success of the
  project
• Consultation group began work in 2005
• Consulted with different groups
• 2006 a professional market research company were
  appointed.

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Market Research Company

• Market Research company were briefed by us as to
  who we wanted them to speak to and what we wanted
  them to ask
• Questions were very general at this stage and
  were more to do with how people wanted the
  building to feel and what services they wanted in
  it rather than what they wanted it to look like.
• The result was a large document containing the
  thoughts of parents, teachers, older people, BME
  groups etc

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Teenagers

• Market Research company favoured the idea of
  making contact with teenagers through their
  school.
• The original plan was for two focus groups to
  take place in secondary schools
• Then the plan changed..

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New Plan

• One secondary school focus group
• Paired Depth interviews with current Worcester
  Library teenage users

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Why!

• Worcester Library has limited facilities for
  teenagers and is a Victorian building
• We have a group of teenagers who use the library
  on a regular basis
• They seem to be prepared to moderate their
  behaviour to use the facilities
• The consultation group felt it was important to
  find out why.
• We were concerned that if we did not get the new
  building right we would lose these young people.

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Paired Depths

• We asked the Market Research team how we could
  best consult with these young people
• Paired Depths were suggested
• 2 young people and a trained market researcher
• Market research company reluctant to do this and
  made us accept the risk
• Felt they would not turn up!

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How we recruited them

• We decided to take the risk as we felt the
  information was important enough
• Young people a letter
• Explained to them why it was important for them
  to share their views
• Told them about the 15.00 HMV vouchers
• Asked for a mobile number so they could be
  contacted

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What happened on the day

• Market research employee attended and waited for
  young people to arrive
• First one telephoned to remind him and he arrived
  a little late and alone!
• Agreed to continue on his own
• Second time slot 3 arrived (2 boys and a girl)
• Market research employee impressed by the quality
  of the responses given

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What did they have to say?

• Focused less on physical design but more on a how
  whether they feel welcomed or belong in a
  place
• Just want to go somewhere to hang out with your
  mates and not be told off
• Would like a specific teenage space but it should
  not be located near to quiet activities
• Should contain computers and gaming facilities,
  soft seating and be near a snack bar
• Would like young people to staff the place so
  they would feel more welcome

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What next?

• At the present time we are not actively
  consulting
• A new phase will begin when we have a preferred
  bidder and a design to seek approval on
• It would be hoped that we can continue to involve
  teenagers in the process
• Looking to rearrange the current teenage space in
  the short term in response to comments
• Possibly will arrange for them to visit Malvern
  Library to see what they think of the
  refurbishment

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Any Questions?
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Thank you for listening