Anyone who uses or intends to use Rhodes House Library at Oxford should read
what's below and hopefully take up the issues raised with the university.
Marika Sherwood, 13 Church Road, Oare, Kent ME13 0QA

----- Original Message -----
From: "Marika Sherwood" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Cc: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, September 14, 2002 2:41 PM
Subject: Rhodes House


> Dear Dr Rowett,,
>
> Some time ago when the changes you were proposing for Rhodes House were
> circulated, I wrote to you voicing my fears. Having now visited the
Library
> to do some research, I have sadly found that my fears were justified.
>
> Firstly, I was shocked to find that the Library Staff no longer had a room
> to work in, or a room to eat in. How can I expect the kind of efficient
and
> friendly service I had grown used to over many years, if the staff are
> treated in this way?
>
> Then I was told that I had to go outside (it was raining quite heavily) to
> use the toilets in the adjoining building. Why, I enquired. Because the
> toilets were being refurbished. On further enquiry, as I do not recall the
> toilets being a problem, I discoverd that they had been closed for many
> months and that the staff have to use adjoining buildings also. This, I
> owuld guess, is guaranteed to make them even less happy, as handling dusty
> materials, copier ink, etc usually requires frequent handwashing. How much
> longer will this go on for, I enquired. Until the official opening, I was
> told. (One's mind truly boggles - official openings for toilets!) Was the
> work on the toilets complete, I then asked. Oh yes, I was told, but we are
> forbidden to use them. So, together with other readers and staff, I
trailed
> through the heavy rain.... How the lone librarian on duty after 5pm copes,
> is beyond my comprehension.
>
> Secondly, I was told that much money had been spent on preparing rooms
with
> IT equipment, etc. for the use of Rhodes scholars. But in the many years I
> have used Rhodes House Library, I have never met a Rhodes scholar. (Of
> course, now that there is nowhere for readers to have a cup of coffee, we
> will not be able to meet anybody!) I understand that Oxford is a
> college-based university. Presumably therefore Rhodes scholars are
allocated
> to a College and it is there that they socialise - and use IT equipment,
if
> they do not have their own lap-tops, which many students have. Why would
> they need such exclusive - and separate - space?
>
> It seems to me that you have successfully destroyed what used to be a very
> pleasant experience: a visit to Rhodes House Library. That the Librarians
on
> duty continue to be helpful under such circumstances says much for them
and
> very little for management's consideration of staff - or readers.
>
> Sincerely,
> Marika Sherwood,
> Sr Research Fellow,
> Institute of Commonwealth Studies
>
>
>
>
>
>