An Investigation Into The Impact Of The Sheffield Libraries Strike

Abstract

This paper summarises the principal findings of the work undertaken to investigate the impact on user attitudes and behaviour of the temporary closure of Sheffield Libraries and Information Services in 1995. Strike action by library staff following a breakdown in negotiations with Sheffield City Council over the Council's proposal to withdraw enhanced pay for Saturday working, resulted in an eight-week closure of 32 out of 34 library service points. The service disruption provided an unprecedented opportunity to investigate aspects of user behaviour and attitudes not covered by previous research.

Keywords

• user attitudes
• behaviour
• behavior
• closure
• Sheffield Libraries and Information Services
• 1995
• strike action
• Sheffield City Council
• service disruption
• user behaviour
• user behavior