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August 14, 2006
Bank Holidays!
I have raised the question before about why libraries close on Bank Holidays
Whether you are in London and the new learning year is about to start (It's Labor day in America) or you are at the seaside and the kids are still on school holiday, the libraries need to be open for the August Bank holiday.
But I was in one today boldly declaring already it would be shut- not just for August Bank Holiday Monday, but also for the Saturday and Sunday as well.
Someone tell me why.
Posted by Perkins at August 14, 2006 8:24 PM
Comments
OK Tim. Get real. Civil servants don't have customers in any way that TESCO's has customers. So since librarians are civil servants, they can safely take the day(s) off can't they - and 'm really surprised they not adding the Tuesday as well to make the long weekend worthwhile. In any case, for crissake, everyone will be at the seaside and icf they want a book, there will be a TESCO close at hand. Get real Tim. I thought you knew about libraries.
Posted by: Elgar Atkins at August 15, 2006 4:52 PM
What long weekend? Most of us work on Saturday (and there are some authorities that regularly open branches on a Sunday).
It's not so much that we "don't have customers like TESCO" but rather that our contracted hours and staffing budgets work differently (not to mention that contracts and budgets work between each local authority).
National chains tend to have a lot more staff than your average branch library and staff can often work morning or afternoon shifts. People are often willing to give up a day off because they are paid at a holiday rate.
I don’t object to changing our opening hours but I doubt that any of our staff would are devoted enough to give up a holiday without being paid for it in either TOIL or overtime.
Posted by: Miriam Palfrey at August 15, 2006 9:58 PM
Miriam
Are you sure that either national chains or independent shops have 'a lot more staff'? I'm not sure you are right
And I think Mr Atkins is asking why 'contracts and budgets' haven't been altered over the years to include Sunday and bank holiday rotas. Most people have been doing that for 20 years now.
Or is that not fair? Librarians often assume that shops do it "because they make a lot of profit by being open" Don't make that mistake- because any retailer will tell you, they have been forced to do it by competition, which means they would go out of business if they didn't. There have been no extra profits from 7 day trading - just better service.
Tim
Posted by: Tim Coates at August 16, 2006 9:59 AM