« DCMS | Main | Birmingham -- £193m for the architects, but nothing for books »
April 4, 2009
No newspapers in the libraries in Somerset
Here is the story .
This should also be a candidate for intervention by the Minister under the 1964 libraries Act. I mean is a library comprehensive if it doesn't provide newspapers, especially if it is charging a huge amount for access to the internet?
I wonder how much the chief librarian, and the library management team are taking home.
When they see this story I shoud think we shall have no difficulty obtaining the support of journalists, editors and newspaper proprietors everywhere. Well done Somerset!
Where is Mr Murdoch tonight?
Posted by Perkins at April 4, 2009 7:23 PM
Comments
According to a BBC report Somerset County Council is to "stop providing national newspapers in some libraries in a cost-saving measure" in order to save £10,000. The Council incorrectly claim that "National newspaper websites already publish full editorial content."
The claim that newspaper websites publish full editorial content is wrong - for contractual reasons articles are not included on websites even though they are included in the printed version.
Not content to stop there, however, The Council also plans to charge people £1.30 to use computers with internet access after the first 30 minutes. So slow readers hoping to read through the full paper will have to pay, and many people lacking computer skills will be deprived of the service altogether.
Posted by: Martyn at April 5, 2009 2:20 PM
I should think that Somerset's newsagents are not happy at their elected representatives urging, perhaps speeding the end of printed nespapers. And without printed newspapers can the web versions endure?
What's more, by this wretched logic, will Somerset declare that books can be found on the web and close its libraries entirely?
Could this be the reason for 256 electrical sockets in the floor of Brighton's new library? Is there a fallback plan to use it for something else entirely once any remaining pesky books have been turfed out?
Posted by: Christopher Hawtree at April 6, 2009 9:32 AM