Here in Southampton we stopped single manning of libraries some time ago because of concerns about the safety of staff - what does a single member of staff do when a number of youths come into a library, intent on disruption or worse? How do they as an individual deal with the disrupters and the other members of the public at the same time? Staff in single manned libraries are very vulnerable, no matter how well trained they may be. Mobiles in Southampton have always had a driver and an assistant, though we have an experienced driver who also acts as an additional assistant at times. Double mannning of small neighbourhood branches is a drain on the staffing budget, but a price worth paying.
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Janet Moore
Area Librarian
Shirley Library
Southampton City Council
Tel: 023 8077 2136
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