Top 10 most popular library books since 2016

The request was successful.

To whom it may regard,

I am writing to make an open government request for all the information to which I am entitled under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Specifically please send me:

- How many libraries does the local authority maintain?
- A breakdown of the number of books borrowed between January 1, 2016 to present day (November 29, 2021).
- A breakdown of the number of books not returned between January 1, 2016 to present day (November 29, 2021).
- A breakdown of the cost of fines given out for library books not being returned, damaged or lost between January 1, 2016 to present day (November 29, 2021).
- A breakdown of the top ten borrowed books (by book title and author's name) between January 1 2016 and present day (November 29, 2021).
- A breakdown of the number of library members for each year between January 1, 2016 to present day (November 29, 2021).
- A breakdown of the number of books and titles banned by libraries between January 1, 2016 to present day (November 29, 2021).

Please provide the requested data in a spreadsheet format, with the data broken down by year and other specific filters I have asked for.

If this request is too wide or unclear, I would be grateful if you could contact me as I understand that under the Act, you are required to advise and assist requesters.

If any of this information is already in the public domain, please can you direct me to it, with page references and URLs if necessary.

I understand that you are required to respond to my request within the 20 working days after you receive this letter. I would be grateful if you could confirm in writing that you have received this request.

I am submitting this Freedom of Information request from my colleague Claire Wilde's WhatDoTheyKnow account.

Yours faithfully,

Carly Roberts

Customer Services, Swindon Borough Council

Good Afternoon,

Thank you for your email which has now been forwarded to the Freedom of Information Officer for response.

Kind regards,

Customer Services
Swindon Borough Council
Wat Tyler House
Swindon SN1 2JG
Phone: 01793 445500

E-mail: [Swindon Borough Council request email]
Website: www.swindon.gov.uk

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Swindon Borough Council

[1]Swindon Borough Council
Dear Claire Wilde,

Case reference number: FOI004419

Thank you for your request. The Freedom of Information Act creates two
general rights in relation to information:

 1. The right to be told whether or not the information requested is
held
 2. The right to be given that information within 20 working days

We aim to respond to your request within 20 working days.

Kind regards, 

Freedom of Information Representative
Children's Services, Education, Schools and Learning 

Swindon Borough Council

References

Visible links
1. https://myaccount.swindon.gov.uk/q

Freedom of Information, Swindon Borough Council

5 Attachments

 

Dear Claire Wilde,

 

Re: FOI004419 Freedom of Information Request

 

I acknowledge the receipt of your email that was received on 29^th
November, 2021. 

The Council has a duty to respond ‘promptly’, or no later than 20 working
days  which in this case is 29^th December, 2021.

We do apologies for the delay in responding to the request.

 

Please find the response to the following questions and the attached
spreadsheet;

 

I am writing to make an open government request for all the information to
which I am entitled under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

 

Specifically please send me:

 

- How many libraries does the local authority maintain?

-  A breakdown of the number of books borrowed between January 1, 2016 to
present day (November 29, 2021).

- A breakdown of the number of books not returned between January 1, 2016
to present day (November 29, 2021).

 

Response:

We changed our library management system back in March 2020 and due to
Covid we encountered delays in working through some issues with the way
historical data was mapped across to the new system. So at this time
cannot guarantee the accuracy of those numbers.

 

- A breakdown of the cost of fines given out for library books not being
returned, damaged or lost between January 1, 2016 to present day (November
29, 2021).

 

Response:

The costs provided are actuals and as the system does not generate an
amount to charge until an item is returned we cannot calculate the full
amount outstanding.

 

- A breakdown of the top ten borrowed books (by book title and author's
name) between January 1 2016 and present day (November 29, 2021).

- A breakdown of the number of library members for each year between
January 1, 2016 to present day (November 29, 2021).

- A breakdown of the number of books and titles banned by libraries
between January 1, 2016 to present day (November 29, 2021).

 

Please provide the requested data in a spreadsheet format, with the data
broken down by year and other specific filters I have asked for.

 

If you are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to your
request and wish to make a review you should contact:

 

Customer Services

Civic Offices

Euclid Street

Swindon

SN1 2JH

 

The complaints/review procedure involves a full review by the Information
Governance Manager. 

[1][email address]

 

You can also use our on-line form:
[2]https://www.swindon.gov.uk/info/20159/ma...

 

It is our usual practice to accept a request for an internal review made
within 40 working days from the date that we have issued a response to a
request.

We are not obliged to accept internal reviews after this date.

 

If you are not content with the outcome of our conclusion, you may apply
directly to the Information Commissioner's Office for a decision before
contacting the Council. Generally, the ICO cannot make a decision unless
you have exhausted the Council's own complaints procedure.

 

The Information Officer can be contacted at :

 

The Information Commissioner's Office,

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

 

If you require any further information concerning this matter please
contact me quoting the reference number at the top of the email.

Yours sincerely

 

 

 

Sharon Druett

Freedom of Information Officer

Information Governance

 

Information & Technology

Swindon Borough Council

[mobile number]

[3]www.swindon.gov.uk

 

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[5]cid:image002.png@01D64961.E066D7E0     [6]instagram
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