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July 21, 2006
Libraries in Hertfordshire
There are, I think, 4 libraries in Hertfordshire threatened with closure and an articulate and well informed campaign in progress to prevent that happening. The campaigners are offering to help make the library service better.
I have looked at the performance of the Hertfordshire library service and over the past few years, simply against the basic government measures, it has been very poor.
It would have been so much more convincing to local people if the service had improved over that time and then the council had said, "we contemplate rationalising some of the building network, please discuss it with us"
Rather like when there were proposals for closing hospitals, nobody trusts the council to provide a good service. So when they use an argument for closing libraries, nobody believes they actually know what a good library service is or how to manage one.
It isn't just a question of economics or incomprehensible council politics, it is also a question of trust. I'm sure that several county councillors will lose their seats over this particular issue.
There are a lot of votes in local libraries. Believe me.
Posted by Tim Coates at July 21, 2006 12:39 PM