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May 27, 2006
Hertfordshire
This is from Geoff Laycock in Hertfordshire:
"I am heartened to hear of a successful 'save our library' campaign (in Hove). Hertfordshire County council are in the process of consulting with our local community of Fleetville in St Albans regarding the closing of our dearly loved, and much needed, one room local library.
Following the last public meeting with the Library service representatives we were subjected to a predictable 'hiding behind conflicting statistics' approach intended to avoid facing up to the fact that closing libraries is a bad thing.
In my capacity in helping to create web resources for educational and library communities I have come to understand that a lateral approach may win the day.
Take the reasons for closure: 'not enough use', refurbishment required, want to use staff else where, dda etc. and turn them on their head.
I.E. we have a very committed community with willingness and skills, let us volunteer to help with the refurbishment, give hours to manning the desk, help in publicising the work of the library and events etc.
Do you or any of your contributors know of examples of such an approach being used elsewhere? It would be fantastic if this type of involvement has happened before and succeded.That alone could be reason enough for us to convince the council to allow a stay of execution through a trial implementation.
Our local children, adults and elderly all need our Library.
Geoff, there are some examples of what you say and there are a lot of people in the same position as you. Let's meet and talk: my email address is tim.coates@yahoo.com. At the same time, if anyone else has, as Geoff asks, experience or problems, please do make a comment on here and we'll get together.
Posted by Perkins at May 27, 2006 8:15 AM
Comments
Trying to contact Geoff Laycock formerly at Thomson Holidays
Please contact Clive Sawyer Photographer at clive@photographer.com
thank you
Posted by: Clive Sawyer at June 12, 2006 4:42 PM
I can't believe that libraries are actually closing down - it's such a shame.
It sort of goes with the assumption that everyone wants to use the NET - is the NET really that thrustworthy?
Andy
Posted by: granite worktops at June 12, 2008 12:29 AM