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November 4, 2008
Lyn Brown and Happy Clappy libraries
Writes in the Guardian again calling for the end of the MLA and other things.
She has high hopes for the Ministerial review. But it is councils that run libraries, not the government or The Minister. How will a group of middle grade civil servants, all of whom depend on the handouts of the Minister for their existence-- bring about a revolution that is not the one Lyn Brown wants, but that people want?
It seems to me like discussing what the French should have for breakfast. Interesting but not up to us.
The comments to Lyn Brown's article tell her what a complete fool she is and Andy Burnham and his clones are, too. But she's not the kind of person who is minded to listen to people who don't agree with her- and neither I think are Andy and his Bandy of Happy Clappy do gooders.
Martyn is right. We have to be very careful of what damage this review can do.
And I am very grateful to Hampshire County Council who still have this as part of their leading news story on the council website:
"Tim Coates says “A good library makes a profound contribution to a local community and provides a place for private, dignified reading and study. Libraries must be modern, safe, clean, welcoming and attractive. They need to have a high reputation not only among those who use them, but also those who do not, but still understand their value. That is what the public pay for and that is what they deserve.”
Posted by Perkins at November 4, 2008 9:13 PM
Comments
Among other things, the Obama victory clearly points towards a public demand for such governmental provisions as longer opening hours for public libraries and more books. There is a new mood in the land, and the MLA etc would be foolish to ignore it.
Posted by: Christopher Hawtree at November 5, 2008 3:53 PM