I wrote to my MP the other month about the little matter of our local library being relocated. I related how I understood that it was probably a fait accompli that the library would move. Libraries are after all a soft target - no one gets hurt if a library closes or services are reduced. It's just the quality of life that is diminished. I expressed my concern that savings would continue to be made once the library had been relocated by reducing the range of services and number of books. I thought, naively as it happens, that my MP might be concerned and perhaps lobby local councillors to ensure that the range and depth of library services in my town would not be reduced even if the library was moved.
I got a letter back on Friday. The MP or I suspect probably one of his researchers had contacted the Council on my behalf. The letter went on to explain how much money needed to be saved. A letter full of facts which quite frankly I could have researched myself in the library! There was not even a smidgen of an opinion expressed from my elected representative. Not even a tentative concern about a possible reduction in service. Not even an undertaking to monitor the situation.
The culmination of my indignation with this letter was the following phrase: "The Service Manager for this particular service will ensure that staff at the library is relocated accordingly." Oh if there was ever an example of Councilese, this is it. A meaningless sentence that just let's the Council do as it wishes with staff depending on the level of service the Council decides to provide. I wondered why my MP had accepted this statement in the first place, let alone repeated it back to me.
Ah well. The first time I've been motivated to contact my local MP and on this performance the last.
P.S. Of course I've written a letter in reply from Mrs Indignant of 88 of Manchester, hoping for some reaction, for some opinion. I'll let you know what happens.
Showing posts with label library. Show all posts
Showing posts with label library. Show all posts
Monday, 27 May 2013
Thursday, 25 April 2013
Library Royale
My name is Blakeley - Virginia Blakeley and I love quirky. Anything that is a bit out of the ordinary or makes me think out of the box or is a bit strange I rather like. Last night I did something which I consider quirky. I met James Bond in my local library. I saw the very loud, action-packed, exciting Casino Royale (Craig not Niven) at my local library.
It was fab. Sat amongst the book shelves, watching Mr Bond in his swimming trunks, running an awful lot as it turned out, surviving ordeal after ordeal. I loved the fact I could walk down from 88 to the impromptu cinema and that I was in an film arena of books watching a film of a book.
It was fab. Sat amongst the book shelves, watching Mr Bond in his swimming trunks, running an awful lot as it turned out, surviving ordeal after ordeal. I loved the fact I could walk down from 88 to the impromptu cinema and that I was in an film arena of books watching a film of a book.
Just a thought - if Hyde Library is shut and moved to Hyde Town Hall will there be the room to hold such events? I am sure these evenings raise the profile of the library and encourage more people to go through the doors. Not to mention the enjoyment they give. Just something for Councillors and managers to bear in mind. Well done to the staff at Hyde Library for organising the event.
Monday, 18 March 2013
Tardis Technology
My local council has achieved the impossible. It will defy the laws of physics. Well not quite impossible as Dr Who has been doing it for a long time. It will fit something really quite big and wonderful into something really quite small and not fit for purpose.
My local council intends to close my local library, purpose-built in 1899, and transfer all the books and services down the road to the Town Hall. Strike that...not transfer but squeeze into the Town Hall. Strike that... not squeeze into but lose a few books on the way down there and then breathe in and push. Of course I may be wrong and the Town Hall is a TARDIS, bigger on the inside than the outside and all the books and all the staff and all the services that exist at the moment will be fitted in effortlessly.
It's the slippery slope. Actually it's gone beyond that now we are at the bottom of the slippery slope in a heap, bruised and can't quite get back up. Four libraries have closed in my local authority in the last year. Opening hours have been reduced. Staff have gone and not been replaced. Library budgets slashed. I'll take a wild guess and suggest staff morale has been buried in a deep deep hole and can't be found. Once libraries are shut or squeezed into a local authority TARDIS, they will not come back.
I happen to think libraries are a good thing. Lending books and being an information repository into which you can tap is a good idea, isn't it? My book at bedtime is a library book and my children's books at bedtime and for homework are library books. Supporting them in their education - surprise surprise - is quite important to me. If I can't find something out, I ring the Reference Library. If I want to find out about my local area or my ancestors I go to the Local Studies Library. Not to mention the people who go into libraries for company and warmth but I suppose that's a risible reason for keeping libraries and the services they provide open.
I know my argument is an emotional one. Savings we are told have to be made but I fear that the quality of my life and that of my neighbours will be diminished. Let's hope it's not extinguished. Will keep you updated.
My local council intends to close my local library, purpose-built in 1899, and transfer all the books and services down the road to the Town Hall. Strike that...not transfer but squeeze into the Town Hall. Strike that... not squeeze into but lose a few books on the way down there and then breathe in and push. Of course I may be wrong and the Town Hall is a TARDIS, bigger on the inside than the outside and all the books and all the staff and all the services that exist at the moment will be fitted in effortlessly.
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| My local library down the road from 88 |
It's the slippery slope. Actually it's gone beyond that now we are at the bottom of the slippery slope in a heap, bruised and can't quite get back up. Four libraries have closed in my local authority in the last year. Opening hours have been reduced. Staff have gone and not been replaced. Library budgets slashed. I'll take a wild guess and suggest staff morale has been buried in a deep deep hole and can't be found. Once libraries are shut or squeezed into a local authority TARDIS, they will not come back.
I happen to think libraries are a good thing. Lending books and being an information repository into which you can tap is a good idea, isn't it? My book at bedtime is a library book and my children's books at bedtime and for homework are library books. Supporting them in their education - surprise surprise - is quite important to me. If I can't find something out, I ring the Reference Library. If I want to find out about my local area or my ancestors I go to the Local Studies Library. Not to mention the people who go into libraries for company and warmth but I suppose that's a risible reason for keeping libraries and the services they provide open.
I know my argument is an emotional one. Savings we are told have to be made but I fear that the quality of my life and that of my neighbours will be diminished. Let's hope it's not extinguished. Will keep you updated.
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