Reviews

19 reviews so far

04/04/2011 08:32pm

I absolutley love the Basingstoke Discovery Centre, i would only step foot in the old library unless i had to, but now it is a nicer environment, anyone who walks in will feel welcomed by the bright colours. The self service terminals are a little slow at peak times, which really can't be fixed, i don't see any problem with the kids corner, sometimes i don't notice that they are in the same room. The computers are easy to access and are dotted around the centre. What i love most about the library now is that you can trace local history back to hundreds f years to go, some people have even tried to trace their local family history. Overall from a scale of 1 to 10, i give the discovery centre a 10.

06/02/2011 01:47pm

It's all *style* and no *function*. The alphabetic dividers on the fiction shelves have tiny grey letters about 2cm high instead of large easily seen ones: that's what they are there for: to be seen! The non-fiction area has no identification numbers displayed. Armed with location ( adult non-fiction)and ident number ( not sure of correct name ) I had no idea where to look. I commented to an assistant who helped me to locate the book and I was told that it was 'in case we need to move the books around'Oh! so not for the convenience of the customer then?

At busy times the self service terminals get several individual queues. You could be unlucky and get in the 'wrong' one: where everyone has a problem using it. The system should have been designed to have one queue ( as in the old library ) so the first person can go to the next available terminal as in post offices and banks.

A poor experience on both of my visists so far and whether or not you like the *pink* it is already chipped and scarred after only a few weeks and looks dreadful. One other thing: the dreary almost unintelligble'voice'from the old lift has ben replaced by one that is equally unintelligible and sounds like someone crunching cornflakes while speaking.

Basingstoke Discovery Centre replies

• There was a production problem with the alphabetic dividers and we are awaiting larger letters.
• In all Hampshire libraries that have had new signage there are no Dewey numbers on the signs on the shelves. All the books still have a Dewey number on the spine, and staff are around to help if you are having trouble finding what you require.
• Staff have been assigned to help customers with using the self service machines. We apologise that during your visit to the Discovery Centre you experienced a queue. There are times during our opening hours when customers are able to use the machines without a queue. Please ask a member of staff to let you know the quieter times.
• The Discovery Centre opened on 30 November. The contractors have a snagging list they are working their way through. We are currently trying to identify suitable times for the decorators to come in the "make good" the paintwork. The colour pink was chosen to match the art work that is on the walls of the ground and 1st floor lobbies.
• The lift engineer has been out several times to repair the "voice" he has now ordered a new part.

24/01/2011 09:27am

Too much noise.Having the childrens section in the centre of the library is bad planning.There is nowhere for quiet study.Why do modern librarians dislike quiet?The staff talk at the tops of their voices.Screaming kids.Awful place!

Basingstoke Discovery Centre replies

We're sorry you had a bad experience when you visited Basingstoke Discovery Centre.

The Children's area is set to one side of the main part of the Discovery Centre and the study area is at the opposite end of the Discovery Centre to Children's area. We are currently awaiting the arrival of a stand with a plan of the Discovery Centre so customers are aware of where each section is. Until it arrives please ask a member of staff to show you where you can study.

If you experience staff talking "at the top of their voices" next time you visit please ask to see one of the Managers who will address your concerns.

23/12/2010 05:56am

On the positive side the library now looks clean and fresh with clear and improved signage and some nice new stock.

For me, however, there are several negatives ie self-service option only, didnt see any quiet study space (but may have missed it), lack of coffee shop (a coffee machine is a poor substitute) and tacky pink facia. Definitely not in the same league as Winchester. Having said all that - its great to have library facilities again in the centre of town. Long may it continue!

15/12/2010 09:03pm

First visit to the new library last weekend. Entrance way, whilst a bit too pink is very much an improvement on the old, dark, unappealing entrance it used to be. We thought the centre was great and we were really impressed with the facilities. In particular, the reference areas, such as the local history shelves which were very well stocked. Our only suggestion would be that in tandem with the computerised booking in and out system, you also have one permanently manned station for the elderly. I can imagine a lot of 'older' people will be worried and put off using the library if they have to struggle with a computer system that, with the best will in the world, is not fully up and running (two of my books wouldn't scan). If I pop in over a lunch break, I don't always have time to be wait. That aside, what a great resource for Basingstoke!!

10/12/2010 01:14am

Feels spacious and doesn't feel cluttered like before. Also a great range of books. Not as good as the Winchester Discovery Centre which is much more classy and also has a coffee shop. And whoever suggested putting all that pink on the walls, makes it look a bit tacky. However, it is a lot better than before so I'm truly grateful for the improvement.

01/12/2010 02:39pm

I absolutely loved the space we now call our library. It has been well thought out and I hope everyone else in the town will think so too. I love the fact that we have community rooms which can be hired. I am a Certified Professional Coach and this could be an affordable way of putting on short workshops for the community at a reasonable cost. I had stopped using the library and started buying my own books, but having seen what our library has transformed into, I rejoined today.

30/11/2010 05:42pm

not bad but no thought has gone into getting mobility scooters into the new lift area as you have to negotiate the new wall which is too long and gets in the way of entry, both myself and my husband who use scooters had to go back and forth several times before we could get into the lift. Also not much room upstairs to move around, too many obstacles like tables and chairs in our way and the sections are too close to each other.Otherwise all okay but a bit too much pink on the walls.

30/11/2010 05:40pm

It's amazing, I like the features inside and the colours.

Review Ref. 439511

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