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July 18, 2006
Refitting libraries
The Select Committee last year found that half the library buildings in the country are in unsatisfactory condition.
Yet a recent report has shown that although £277m has been spent on libraries in the past 5 years, it has mostly been wasted because so many different architects and designers were given the opportunity to "express their view of a library of the 21st century". Despite that expenditure, no improvement in the overall condition of the library buidlings is discernible. No sensibly managed retail operation- shop, bank, restaurant chain, from smallest to largest, or any other public body, would behave in this way and achieve such little progress with so much money.
Retailers use a project manager to keep tight control over costs and times, to minimise disruption to customers, staff etc. It's a much better method than employing an architect or designer to lead the work, in my experience. You get far far better value for money
Local councils rarely have the capital budget they want and there is unlikely to be funding readily available. On the other hand what an officer needs is a plan that is always in place so he can show the council what can be done if funds can be allocated. There needs to be an ability to offer both cosmetic improvement to branches, which is relatively cheap, and a programme of full refurbishment over several years which keeps the estate in good order. Then at any point funds can be used to best advantage.
Posted by Perkins at July 18, 2006 9:51 AM