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February 10, 2007
Ealing Comedy
Reports are coming from several different directions of a disastrous collapse of the public library service in the London Borough of Ealing. Ealing had a fine central library with good collections and a tradition that other boroughs would envy. However new management (from Buckinghamshire- goodness gracious!) seems to have brought chaos. Library closed-- books thrown away- loyal readers up in arms-- the service needs a touch of Conservative common sense; well that's what the residents thought at the last election, but even that seems to have gone wrong.
Posted by Perkins at February 10, 2007 3:11 PM
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Mark Bryant, Head of Libraries gave a presentation on the refurbishment programmes for Central Library, Northfields Library and West Ealing Library. Public Consultation on West Ealing Library began this week - to the annoyance of Walpole Councillor Ann Chapman who didn't know it was happening (and the library is in her Ward)!
A number of attendees expressed concern that it was planned for Central Library to temporarily relocate in April but no premises had yet been found to house the library.
Bob Gurd (Ealing Civic Society) expressed concern for the future location of the Local History section of Central Library. Mark said the longer term plan was to locate this in Gunnersbury Park Museum.
We then had a spirited rant from a resident who said it was it was scandalous to be spending money on architecture at Central Library when the shelves screamed out for more and better books.
In the IT section, for example, were books on operating systems which became obsolete 8 years ago.
Peter Lipman, Director Cultural Services said that library use is in decline in Ealing and elsewhere in the UK. 81% of residents who could use the library don't use it.
Research has shown, he said, that a rejuvenated (re-architected?) library resulted in an increase in the number of people using the library.
Our recalcitrant resident's body language strongly suggested that he was not convinced by this argument.
SOURCE : http://www.westealingneighbours.org.uk/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=156
Posted by: Ealing Resident at February 13, 2007 12:27 AM