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October 10, 2008
Conservative Councils
Very pleasing to see Ed Vaizey, the Conservative shadow minister endorsing the work in Hillingdon.
'The Government has launched a review, to be led by new Culture Minister Barbara Follett, into the future of libraries. This will look at how they can be made more relevant to modern life. Andy Burnham apparently wants libraries to be more like coffee shops with other services on offer. The Independent disagrees with this approach arguing that "old-fashioned library remains a welcome repository of calm" and that the suggested changes would mean some of the most conducive places for reading would be lost.
We certainly welcome the review, and believe that it is important that libraries adapt and change to provide services that are relevant to their local communities. There are many success stories, such as in Conservative-controlled Hillingdon, of local authorities renewing their library service while not dispensing with the essential ethos of libraries.
If any other Tory councils would like the same guidance as was given to Hillingdon, it is on offer from this site.
Posted by Perkins at October 10, 2008 4:25 PM
Comments
Perhaps the Conservative-led (on a minority basis) Brighton and Hove City Council could benefit from the advice which Perkins kindly offers?
I was startled yesterday when B and H's "lead councillor for culture, recreation and sport" (odd mixture?) David Smith declared that people did not have time to look up such things in books after I pointed out that these contain so very much more about Katherine Mansfield and her residence in the vicinity than one could ever find on the web.
Posted by: Christopher Hawtree at October 10, 2008 9:38 PM
Perkins would be delighted. Is there anyone in the council who will ask? Perhaps Ed Vaizey could assist?
Posted by: perkins at October 11, 2008 12:04 AM
No doubt Ed will be having a quiet word with Buckinghamshire councillors....
Posted by: Martyn at October 11, 2008 12:09 PM