gamezone07 Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 in the Guardian today http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/feb/04/protests-save-our-libraries-day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RosyRat Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Thanks Gamezone07. It looks as though the protests are gathering momentum. I'd pay good money to see Phill Jupitus being a librarian for a day. There is rather a long speech by Philip Pullman here, condemning library closures : http://falseeconomy.org.uk/blog/save-oxfordshire-libraries-speech-philip-pullman I loved this statement : The government, in the Dickensian person of Mr Eric Pickles, has cut the money it gives to local government, and passed on the responsibility for making the savings to local authorities. Some of them have responded enthusiastically, some less so; some have decided to protect their library service, others have hacked into theirs like the fanatical Bishop Theophilus in the year 391 laying waste to the Library of Alexandria and its hundreds of thousands of books of learning and scholarship. While we wait to see which libraries in Sheffield are due for closure, I thought we might have a wry smile at Councilor Sylvia Dunkley's statement in May 2009 : Seven local Libraries that previously closed for lunch from 12.30pm - 1.30pm are now open all day until 4pm thanks to the Lib Dems on the Council. The libraries affected by this change are: Broomhill; Chapeltown; Darnall; Highfield; Hillsborough; Manor and Woodseats. Cllr Sylvia Dunkley, Lib Dem Cabinet member for Culture, Leisure and Streetscene, said: "I'm delighted that we have made changes to this policy so that, where there are sufficient members of staff, Libraries will now stay open at lunch. What's more there will be no extra cost for local taxpayers." Sylvia added: "As a result of our changes local people can now pop in and use their Library on a lunchtime. These are the kind of decisions which Labour shied away from, but we are determined to ensure that this Council delivers the best possible local services." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bookmaster2 Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 We are on You Tube It was a fantastic event. Thanks to everyone who attended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nagel Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 Anyone going? Finally, borrow lots of books – lets empty those shelves. You're allowed up to 15 out on your library card, so bring a big bag! What a stupid way to protest! What about proper library users who want to borrow a particular book and they can't because a protester has taken it. I'm all for opposing library cuts because I use my local library a lot, but this tactic seems dumb beyond belief. What are you planning to do with all those books apart from return them eventually? Or are you going to hold them hostage? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
go4it Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 What a stupid way to protest! What about proper library users who want to borrow a particular book and they can't because a protester has taken it. I'm all for opposing library cuts because I use my local library a lot, but this tactic seems dumb beyond belief. What are you planning to do with all those books apart from return them eventually? Or are you going to hold them hostage? Agree - a very childish, silly way to protest. Someone needs a book but get it because someone took it out 'to prove a point'. How many of these books will come back damaged, how many will come back at all? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
go4it Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 The Coalition's way round it is to interpret the "free and comprehensive public library service" as collections of books in supermarkets and pubs and libraries run by volunteers instead of trained, professional staff. Professional staff? Some have had an easy ride for a long time. Lets put libraries into context. Local libraries - full of Jilly Cooper books. Not exactly a lot for the staff to do other than stock control. Central libraries - archives etc, more local enquiries. Some enquiries for texts and journals. University libraries - full of academic text books and journals, very specialist staff needed. Universities are separate to all this - but many are making or have made cost savings in their service. Self-scanners etc. They have managed to offer the same service. It makes sense then to put all the reference / academic stuff in the central library. Cut the local libraries and look into other venues for offering reading books, run by volunteers. I think some people would benefit from visiting an University library and seeing how that runs on the staff they have. Obviously as a Labour supporter you will say that people need someone to direct them to the book, turn the pages for them, make them a cup of tea, do their shopping for them etc. Must most people can just get on with it themselves. If you are proposing a realistic alternative (not just 'don't cut it') then please let us know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bookmaster2 Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 Go4it makes some interesting points but so much of what he says is wrong that I suspect he does not understand how public libraries operate. Yes, academic libraries provide specialist services and need specialist staff, but he is wrong to suggest that public libraries are just “full of Jilly Cooper” and do not require professional skills. A public library SERVICE provides a wide range of leisure reading, literature, reference materials, specialist collections (local history, archives, business services etc) and support for lifelong learning. Just because you are not a member of a university does not mean that you should not have access to specialist resources. In addition public librarians promote reading and information literacy with people of all ages and backgrounds. This is a complex and very professional task. Then this service has to be delivered to the community. This may involves a central library, branch libraries and service points which may be co-located with other services. Front line services will be provided by library assistants and perhaps, just possibly, by volunteer staff. He criticises the protest by suggesting that the mass borrowing will lead to books not being available on the shelves for other borrowers and that books may be damaged or lost. I was there and I think that most people were borrowing books that they wanted to read but were just taking more of them. Everyone taking out books was a supporter of libraries and of the principle that these books are a resource for the whole community. The suggestion that they would damage or lose books is ridiculous. If he is really concerned about books not being available in libraries then he must admit that the greatest threat comes from cutting the library budget by £2.5m pounds and not from supporters of libraries exercising their right to borrow what they want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 Out of interest, how many books were loaned last year and how many items were called from archives? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nagel Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 Have you thought of using the Sheffield Libraries online service? You can search for all the books in entire collection and with your library card number and PIN code you can order the books for pick-up at your local branch. Link here - http://library.sheffield.gov.uk/uhtb...BRy4Jb/CL/0/49 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nagel Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 In the world of the future there will be mostly two types of building, retail and housing. The Victorian ideal of places that people could better themselves has been thrown out. This inscription above the entrance to Highfield Library on London Road says it all. I wonder if the council will have to obliterate the inscription out of embarrassment when they sell the library? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.