By now, everybody will have completed the 2011 census returns, and with the 100 year rule still in force, these records will not be available to the general public to view until 2111.  The 100 year rule of course means that the  1911 census has just been released, and is available for public access.  The Library are offering free access to all census from 1841 to 1911 via the findmypast website.  Readers can gain access to the findmypast website from all public access computers in both the North and South Reading Rooms.

Containing information about the industry or service the worker is involved with, how long the couple have been married and how many children were born to them, numbers of those who are still alive, as well as the number of those that have died, is additional information included in the census for the first time.

Searching your family history has therefore become slightly easier.

After receiving feedback from our users, we have prepared a new, easier way of booking information sessions.  The Library offers sessions that are usually around 30 minutes in length on the following subjects:

Online catalogues and e-resources

Family and local history

Photographs, maps and property history

For more information regarding what each of the information sessions offer or if you would like to attend one or more of the above sessions, please visit www.llgc.org.uk/surgeries where you will be able to book a session at a time that is convenient for you.

 The Library has succeeded in maintaining the standard achieved in July 2010 as a centre for Customer Service Excellence. Following a visit by an assessor on 15^th. July, the standard was awarded to the Library for the second year running.

The assessment judges the Library and its staff’s performance in many different aspects of customer service, and the assessor praised the Library for the number of service developments which have taken place since the assessment in 2010, which further enhance the customer experience.

The Library’s Instant Chat service was launched on Monday, 4 July. The service works just like any other instant chat service, and should therefore be familiar to those who “chat” frequently, but it is also simple enough for those less familiar with “chatting” to use.

The service is currently offered between 11.00 – 12.00 on Tuesday, and 2.00 – 3.00 on Thursday, and is manned by members of the enquiries team who are willing to assist enquirers with their questions. As staff become more familiar with the new service, we feel that it would be beneficial to extend the above hours if possible.

By offering this new service we are increasing the ways in which remote users can contact the Library. It is another step forward in making the Library more accessible.

It can also attract new users by offering an alternative, less traditional, way of contacting us, and further extends the enquiry service through developing the work which the team is accomplishing.

We very much hope that our enquirers will take advantage of and use this new service.

As you have noticed in this newsletter, the Library often asks you, the user to tell us what you think of the Library, the staff and its facilities.  We are pleased to say that most comments are positive with the odd constructive criticism thrown in for good measure; however occasionally, we receive high praise such as the comment below:

"This Library has to be in the top 10 - if not the best - in the World.  Extensive collections, comfortable, welcoming and friendly - just an amazing library experience."

Why not visit the Library yourself, and see if you agree, and please do let us know what you think!