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January 11, 2009
Clean the light fittings-- for goodness sake
I am in correspondence with a senior journalist preparing for their response to whatever the DCMS decides to say in their review.
The discussion moved into a mode in which I wrote that Borders is a model for a public library- if you added quite a lot of quiet space for private study (and put computers on the desks etc)
Compare and contrast, Borders and a public library-- and see if you don't end up saying- well, in Borders at least the light fittings have been washed and non working light bulbs replaced in lving memory, which you cannot say about most large public libraries. It makes SUCH a difference - and please don't blame your council. Get on and DO IT.
Posted by Perkins at January 11, 2009 7:08 PM
Comments
This from the Daily Telegraph
"Book retailer Borders has effectively put itself up for sale after becoming the latest victim of the global credit crunch.....Borders, which has racked up losses of more than $300m in the past two years....."
Unfortunatly your model loses money hand over fist.
Posted by: Diana N at January 12, 2009 5:30 PM
Public libraries aren't commercial! If we were making comparisons on a financial basis, the public library service has lost £2.5bn in the past 2 years and they mostly get their buildings for almost free. That's not what we're talking about, is it? Even a cat can understand that.
Posted by: perkins at January 13, 2009 8:02 PM
No they're most definitely not commercial! As for getting their buildings almost free, you should try telling Wirral Borough Council that before they close 12 of ours!
You've got until the cabinet meeting on Thursday, or you could join the march to Wallasey Town Hall at 4.30pm from Seacombe Ferry.
Birkenhead Library was the first Public Library in the country and they even want to sell that, our heritage. I understand that savings must be made, especially in the current climate, but there must be another way, surely?
Big Lottery funding? A Green Grant(!) to make Britain's first Public Library Britain's first Sustainable Library? Any suggestions?
Posted by: Jessica Prince at January 13, 2009 11:58 PM
Borders has become one of those something and nothing stores - even trying to sell wrapping paper! - with all that dreary 3-for-2 at the door.
When it started in England it asked potential employees their interests and those with the most obscure were taken on as they were thought to have the necessary passion to sell things in general.
In Hove, City Books does well because it gets a good amount of stock into a small space and creates a bookish atmosphere - staff and customers talking about books at the till.
Posted by: Christopher Hawtree at January 14, 2009 10:28 AM