The Good Library Blog

Hi Tim,
Well, it is A weekend!
Thanks for the political entry on the blog. We did do well! And it did transfer to some new thinking on Manor House Library.
The Council claim they realised it was too expensive when Mace, their appointed Project Managers looked at the figures. This was reported at a Council meeting on the 11th January as "The Manor House Project in its current form is unaffordable. Options were to be considered for its future."
The fact, that a Labour councillor for 23 years in the ward the library is situated decided before the 11th to decamp to a safe seat in Deptford for the coming election (May 2006) implied, amongst other things, that the 41 objections to the "current plans" for the Manor House, attempting to push it through would result in a political backlash. We played our part in that as described previously. So they engaged a new group of architects to solve the problem.
Well, this is a victory for us, because the solution they have created involves maintaining the Manor House almost as it stands now, and still install disabled access. The East wing is to be modified - that is lowered in height to match the height of the West wing and widened slighlty to match the West wing's width. Symmetry rules, OK?! Gone is the wanton destruction of both wings the previous plans involved, as is the ghastly southern extension proposal.
How? Well, the introduction of the Training Unit previously planned is no longer an option, so the creche can remain in the existing building. Two birds with one stone, here: No third agency in the building. No extension south in to the park. Cost? Not too different to the figure deemed unaffordable. And how to finance it? Capital funds. But, we were told there was only about £1.4M left after the previous architect consultancy was paid and the balance had to be borrowed via the Prudential Borrowing code, which meant the Training Unit at Ladywell were required to move to the Manor House to release their property as collateral for the loan.
But, events, Dear Boy. Events. Prudential Borrowing is now incorporated in to Capital Funds and individual loans no longer need individual properties as collateral. Very convenient!
Also the House is to be retained in public use and ownership and as a public library. The new plans devote the ground floor to library space, the basement to services, creche and classrooms: the top floor to storage and possibly office space but this floor is unlikely to be rentable for technical reasons.
Already a Wi-Fi hotspot, IT facilities will be extended. And best of all, the plan is for the library to be reviewed after 10 years. (typically communist inspired!)
Which means no closure for 10 years after completion of works and also the hours.....They are looking to 80 (yes, eighty) hours a week. Obviously self issue/self return of media.
No mention was made of volunteers, but that is a separate issue anyway.
So, whilst we have misgivings about some of the internal changes, e.g. 3 x platform lifts one of which will service all 4 floors and be located centrally in the lobby and the mad flirtation they all have for tin movable shelving which contrasts with the stated aim of retaining the building's heritage. But we are given our Baring Room, as promised, which will be a function room on the first floor, the other rooms being community spaces too. So we are 8 out of 10 happy!
For those out there, you must stick with it. Do not flinch and persist in what you want. Became a pest if you have to! Leave no stone unturned, and be prepared to fight dirty. Your enemy is. Utilise every weapon you can lay your hands on, especially the press. You will win in the end. We did!

Cheers, Tim.

Best wishes,

Peter