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March 24, 2009
A Google Map of library closures
Here is a clever gadget. When we can we will move this into the tramline so that it is always available
Map of possible library closures
Posted by Perkins at March 24, 2009 12:00 AM
Comments
I think your link is wrong, Tim. It takes the browser to the plain version of Google maps.
The version at: http://www.roper.org.uk/tr/2009/03/public-library-closures-map.html works. To test it search for Wirral or Swindon.
It *is* available all the time, so not sure what you mean about moving it: just link to it and encourage others to do the same. Anyone with a Google account can add to it, and I hope people will
Posted by: Tom Roper at March 24, 2009 9:16 AM
Tom, thanks, I meant it won't always be at the top of this page, so we will move it into a tramline at the side.
I was fascinated on your blog when you call Henry Higgins a'self-styled' expert. I am sure you know he is the councillor responsible for libraries in his borough. I think he is just doing his job as well as he can, as one would encourage all other councillors in similar positions to do.
Posted by: Tim Coates at March 24, 2009 10:37 AM
OK, the more people who link to it or embed it the better.
On the matter of Hillingdon, they fail the Andromaque test: see Elspeth Hyams at http://communities.cilip.org.uk/blogs/update/archive/2009/03/23/media-morals.aspx. In brief, Elspeth tried to find copies of Racine's Andromaque in French and in translation in London public libraries. I checked Hillingdon's catalogue today: no copy.
Posted by: Tom Roper at March 24, 2009 5:57 PM
Ah - we couldn't understand what you meant by the Andromaque Test-- great brains have been slogging all afternoon to work it out. Fair enough. I thought Elspeth's piece was very good. I think the answer isn't for public librarians, to talk to the press more, though, as she hints in her headline, but rather to improve their libraries.
Posted by: Tim Coates at March 24, 2009 6:26 PM
Just caught up with this item and also notice, as chance has it, that in the new Times Literary Supplement, there is a review of Cheek by Jowl who are touring in a production of Andromaque performed in French with a translation on screens at the side, although the reviewer says that the Racine can be grasped by the actors' perfomance.
To judge by the library stocks, it looks unlikely that Cheek by Jowl will find any rapt councillors in the audience as they go from town to town.
Posted by: Christopher Hawtree at March 26, 2009 7:30 PM