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I would just like to congratulate you and the other staff in Westminster Libraries for having the courage to speak out and to expose the cuts to your service. Well done, I hope others follow your example! Good Luck!
Alan Wylie
Library Campaigner
-----Original Message-----
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Sinclair, Clint
Sent: 16 January 2013 16:05
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: unite and tweet
The Staff in Westminster have written and publicised this open letter to their local councillors - could we share this as well please.
To the Councillors of Westminster,
Westminster Libraries currently uses less than 1% of the council's overall budget. We have 11 libraries, an archives service, a reference library, a music library, a home library service and the largest online database for any public library service in the UK. We provide books, DVDs & CDs, Internet access, CV building workshops, Under 5s sessions, class visits, language and computer courses, community groups and workshops and engage teenagers through projects like Fast Forward which has taken over from the connexions career Services: We promote health, community and citizenship and provide a free space to work, socialise and study for residents and visitors.
We now have Parking, Council tax, Rescard, Housing and OneStop services incorporated into our day-to-day duties with no additional funding as a service or as employees; In fact we've provided all these services at this low cost whilst going through 5 years of cuts that has already closed libraries, reduced our budget and decimated our staff levels each and every year.
When employment goes down, our workload goes up, and as homelessness increases and incomes plummet, our footfall increases. Year-on-year we've risen to the challenge of providing all these services for that ever shrinking less than 1% of the council's budget.
In 2011, Westminster Council hired two new department directors at the rate it cost to run St James's library which they were closing at the same time.
In that same year, Westminster councillors refused a 5% reduction to wages above £100,000 to save £3.5Million because the saving would be too insignificant to justify; but library staff have been asked to bear double that cut for only 10% of that saving.
The solution to unemployment cannot be to fire people, and the solution to debt is not to cut income generating, job creating, and crime preventing services.
Not only is it a statutory requirement to provide this service, it is our moral obligation to do so. With new challenges, we need new ideas, not old mistakes and any further cuts to our library service budget would be a drop in the ocean compared to almost any other department in a council that has often stood in the spotlight on the international stage.
We ask that this race to the bottom is brought to an end; and that Westminster council commits to investment rather than cuts so we can continue the good work that we do for the small budget we have.
The Staff of Westminster Libraries
Clint Sinclair
Library Assistant
Westminster Libraries
Marylebone Library
109-117 Marylebone Road
London NW1 5PS
Work: 020 7641 1036
[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Frances Hendrix
Sent: 16 January 2013 15:49
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: unite and tweet
THE GUARDIAN : 15th January
Libraries crisis set to get 'much worse' this year http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2013/jan/15/libraries-crisis-worse-sheffield-islington
Alan Wylie | Don't Privatise Libraries : 14th January Library workers unite and tweet!
http://dontprivatiselibraries.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/library-workers-unite-and-tweet.html
WI report on volunteer-run libraries
http://www.thewi.org.uk/__documents/public-affairs/love-your-libraries/onpermanentloan14jan2013.pdf <http://t.co/07Tbd9EP>
Good Ereader : 15th January
Bilbary Founder Tim Coates on What Libraries Need http://goodereader.com/blog/electronic-readers/bilbary-founder-time-coates-on-what-libraries-need/
Postcode Gazette : 15th January
Sheffield | Library review: 'Things have to change' as council appeals for help It comes after more than 6,000 people completed a survey which revealed that the top rated services in libraries was 'quality and choice of books'. The next two things which people want are are 'welcoming and comfortable' libraries and that they are 'within walking distance'.
In a blow to council chiefs who are looking to diversify what libraries provide, the survey found that the two least important services and facilities rated by respondents were 'educational events and activities' and 'other social events and activities'.
http://postcodegazette.com/news/9002921024/library-review%3A-%E2%80%98things-have-to-change%E2%80%99-as-council-appeals-for-help-AT-sheffield-sheffield-town-hall/
Sheffield Star : 15th January
Leading Article | Over to you to save libraries
The message is a straightforward one from the council - unless the Big Society comes to the rescue up to 14 libraries could be closed. What isn't clear is how organisations can help run the service. Will they be given budgets, expert support, how will they be run, the list goes on? The idea is a good one in theory, whether anything more than a simple lending service can ever come from it is debatable - which will mean the aspirations of many of those who filled in the survey will not be met.
http://www.thestar.co.uk/lifestyle/the-star-says/over-to-you-to-save-libraries-1-5314563
Selby Times : 15th January
Plea for volunteers to take on Sheffield libraries
http://www.selbytimes.co.uk/news/local-news/plea-for-volunteers-to-take-on-sheffield-libraries-1-5314815
West Sussex Gazette : 15th January
Boost for online shoppers as West Sussex libraries get Amazon lockers
Lionel Barnard, County Council Deputy Leader responsible for the Library Service, said the lockers are a new and efficient way to shop online. He added: "They also help provide a regular income and ensure our branches are kept up-to-date with the latest technology.£
http://www.westsussextoday.co.uk/news/local/boost-for-online-shoppers-as-west-sussex-libraries-get-amazon-lockers-1-4682125
South Wales Argus : 15th January
Libraries in Maindee and Stow Hill, Newport could close to save council cash
http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/10161668.Two_Newport_libraries_could_close_to_save_council_cash/
Bucks Free Press : 15th January
MP praises Stokenchurch villagers as they keep open their library
http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/10162605.MP_praises_villagers_as_they_keep_open_their_library/
Frances Hendrix
Martin House Farm, Hilltop Lane, Whittle le Woods, Chorley, Lancs, PR6 7QR
Tel: 01257 274 833. Mobile: 0777 55 888 03
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