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November 18, 2006
Brighton Library
The new public library Brighton is one of those library and architectural projects about which the Government boasts whenever it is asked what it is doing about the library service. They believe that spending huge amounts of our money is the same thing as managing a public service. They are wrong.
The library in Brighton cost us all £14m which money was mostly given to a large firm of property developers. Almost none of the £14m was spent on books and very little of it was spent on book shelves. Everybody said that when it opened two years ago. Moreover, many many books from the famous collections were thrown away or sold for pence
The people of Brighton and their librarians, however, are not as stupid as the council officers who were fooled into all this nonsense and their persistence is a tribute to common sense as this article in the Brighton Argus shows
'Lovely library but where are the books?'
By Claire Truscott
Librarians say there are not enough books at a £14 million
award-winning
library.
Councillors have also received complaints about the collection at
Brighton's landmark Jubilee Library, while staff at other libraries in
the city said they too wanted better collections.
A survey of city library staff revealed their number one priority was
to
"improve collections". Staff are also demanding more books on the
shelves and longer opening hours.
The questionnaire was discussed at the city council's culture and
tourism sub-committee last night.
Councillor Kevin Allen said: "People feel the Jubilee Library is a
lovely building but say where are the books?'.
"The stock is inadequate and radical steps need to be taken to upgrade
it and we need to have a proper discussion about it."
The complaints echo those made when the library was first opened in
early 2005.
Visitors were dismayed at the lack of books and the fact opening hours
were shorter than they were 70 years ago.
Coun Bill Randall said he was regularly approached by residents of
Hanover ward complaining about the lack of access to the library in the
evenings and on Sundays.
He said: "Everything else is open on Sundays so why not the library?
Some also want to use it at the beginning of the weekend on Friday
evenings."
He said he believed longer hours would mean having to pay the PFI
company more money, which could not be found.
About 350 questionnaires were given to staff and others, including
councillors, council directors, university librarians and community
groups.
While staff were concerned about the number of books, others believed
"wider participation in learning" was most important. Community groups
wanted the library to be a "centre for community activity" and "access
point for other services", whereas library staff wanted to maintain its
traditional role.
Coun Randall said he believed it was possible to keep library
traditions
and move with the times. He said: "We're learning now that the great
trick is getting more than one use out of a building."
A new libraries plan will be available from January and will be debated
at the next committee meeting on February 7.
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Posted by Tim Coates at November 18, 2006 8:57 AM