foxy lady Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 A simplistic answer to your question would be for people to use them but the fact is that we don't. The last time I visited a public library must be more than 30 years ago. I gather they are more than a place to get books now but I can't think of a reason to use one. People visiting them wouldn't make them cost any less. Sheffield is still paying £25 million each year for the student games facilities that it is now knocking down. What services wouldn't need cuts if that cash hadn't been squandered. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-14134973 The World Student Games which took place in Sheffield 20 years ago ran up an overall debt of £658m. Sheffield Council, which funded the 1991 games, has revealed it will continue to repay £25m a year until the debt is paid off in 2024 despite having to make savings of £80m this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister M Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 Lots of reasons to keep public libraries open: They have lots of books, CDs, DVDs that people who don't have a lot of money can borrow. They have an inter library loan facility. They have internet access - which is often a necessity nowadays. They often have galleries holding paintings and sculptures from local artists - past and present. They are a source of local information past and present. They give people the opportunity to do research and the use of reference books and computers to enable this. Many libraries also host meetings, clubs and societies. Yes they are worth saving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daid Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 People visiting them wouldn't make them cost any less. Sheffield is still paying £25 million each year for the student games facilities that it is now knocking down. What services wouldn't need cuts if that cash hadn't been squandered. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-14134973 The World Student Games which took place in Sheffield 20 years ago ran up an overall debt of £658m. Sheffield Council, which funded the 1991 games, has revealed it will continue to repay £25m a year until the debt is paid off in 2024 despite having to make savings of £80m this year. Guess that's it then, they'll close. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxy lady Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 Guess that's it then, they'll close. If you lost £658 million on the gee gees you'd have to cut rather a lot of things that you'd like to do. Perhaps not loosing £658 million would have been a better idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECCOnoob Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 Lots of reasons to keep public libraries open: They have lots of books, CDs, DVDs that people who don't have a lot of money can borrow. They have an inter library loan facility. They have internet access - which is often a necessity nowadays. They often have galleries holding paintings and sculptures from local artists - past and present. They are a source of local information past and present. They give people the opportunity to do research and the use of reference books and computers to enable this. Many libraries also host meetings, clubs and societies. Yes they are worth saving. Half of those things relate to the central library. That is being kept open alongside 11 other major libraries. I cant see Ecclesfield or Stannington having much in the way of local studies or archives. As for internet access, I think this is a bit of an overused argument. Firstly more and more people - including many of those on low incomes have internet access at home or on their mobiles. Those that dont can use community centres, central library, some jobcentres, internet cafes and even the BBC building to get access to computers and internet. There is free wifi all over the place including meadowhall, supermarkets, coffee shops and pubs. The need to go to a library specifically for computers and internet is becoming less and less. Those that still need it have got a choice of 12 places to go. Still really dont see the need for 28 locations these days. As for meetings, clubs and societies, is that not what church halls / community centres are for? There are hundreds of places where local groups can meet for free or a small charge. Most pubs have an empty room along with colleges/schools/local leisure centres or even some of the council/dwp buildings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxy lady Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 Anyone who is in need of a library can nip down to Chesterfield. I'm pretty sure they aren't closing theirs. Mind you they aren't having to pay for the Student Games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daid Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 If you lost £658 million on the gee gees you'd have to cut rather a lot of things that you'd like to do. Perhaps not loosing £658 million would have been a better idea. Hindsight's a wonderful thing Foxy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxy lady Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 Hindsight's a wonderful thing Foxy It certainly is although hindsight isn't needed if you study the losses others make on similar ventures. But on the plus side folk in Sheffield got to see a load of folk they had never heard of running quite a bit slower than at championship events. If the average Sheffield family take the figure of £5800 and divide it by the number of events they went to, and then add on what they paid for tickets, they can work out how much each event cost them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheWriter Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 It's a sad reflection of the times that there's no money more for basic services like this. However, if you use other recreational services like museums or parks, there can be a charge. So a small charge should be levied for use of the service. There can be concessions for certain groups though. ---------- Post added 17-09-2013 at 12:58 ---------- People visiting them wouldn't make them cost any less. Sheffield is still paying £25 million each year for the student games facilities that it is now knocking down. What services wouldn't need cuts if that cash hadn't been squandered. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-14134973 The World Student Games which took place in Sheffield 20 years ago ran up an overall debt of £658m. Sheffield Council, which funded the 1991 games, has revealed it will continue to repay £25m a year until the debt is paid off in 2024 despite having to make savings of £80m this year. It's a fair point Foxy. Poor management by the council in relation to this, it's basic budget management, just like we all do on a daily basis. Although, some of the facilities are still used on a large scale, don't we get anything out of that from SIV? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nagel Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 the girl shot in the head by the Taliban opened it saying pens and books will defeat terrorism Weren't there lots of pens and books in the Twin Towers? Didn't work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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