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Gary
 
I completely agree with Gaynor and I am glad that she has put this view. Hooray! There are a lot of us working hard to publicise develop and deliver services and work with partners internal and external to continue to raise our profile and increase use. This means, like Gaynor and lots of others,  that I do not have the time to exchange words on this forum-rather that I am practically trying to achieve what everyone seems to be saying we are not doing. Our use has gone up since we embarked on a Library Modernisation Programme and the trend continues. We have 7 day a week opening and lots of partnerships, existing and in negotiation. We created a new model of service delivery called Library Links and are rolling out self-service. Of course there is support for libraries and their role in public libraries up and down the country-sadly some of us just do not have the time to communicate throughout the day on the list-yet we subscribe to keep abreast of important contributions to the profession, the service and wider public services. Be assured that we are all working hard to influence local decision making where we are able, we also are making our services the most efficient and effective they can be for what our users and residents want as surely this in the end is the most powerful, visible advocacy for our services.
 
Yes, we are extremely concerned about possible local impacts on the services we care so passionately about, and of course nationally too. We hope that by thinking outside the box and putting these thoughts into practice as well as all possible ways for efficiency, that we can preserve the core service that we all believe in as professionals.
 
Incidently, there have been some criticisms of CILIP's lack of voice over the last few days. I am sure that colleagues are aware that the organisation has lost it's major voice in Bob McKee and is struggling to recover from the shock of his sudden death.
 
I felt it important to respond to show you that silent voices are doing something.
 
Jen Beardsmore
Head of Service-Library Operations
Dudley Libraries

01384 815551
07824543502

-----Original Message-----
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Lynch Gaynor
Sent: 26 August 2010 22:41
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Libraries making the news again!

Gary
 
I suspect a lot are like myself - so over worked that we don't have time to participate. I scan all the lists and responses and take it upon myself to forward interesting items to my colleagues. I often respond to requests for information & advice but don't have the time to get actively involved in debates.  The fact that many people do not reply may not be a sign of apathy but of extreme work loads / stress. The fact that I am doing this at 22.35pm in my own time after work & attending to family needs may give you an idea what it is like for many of us.
 

Gaynor Lynch
Stock Services Manager
RSD Libraries & Archives
London Borough Of Hammersmith & Fulham
0208 753 3812
[log in to unmask]

Web: www.lbhf.gov.uk
Director of Resident Services: Lyn Carpenter

From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Gary Green
Sent: 26 August 2010 11:24
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Libraries making the news again!

Hi
I'm just wondering how many public library staff subscribe to this list? It seems like only a few are getting involved in this discussion about talks of down-turn in public library use. Are they on holiday, or are they nodding to your comments? Are they thinking "same old same old" followed by a big sigh? Are they out there talking to the media? It would just be nice to hear how much support is out there from within public libraries themselves.
 
Hands up if you're out there, please. You can reply to just me if you want to (don't want to clog the list up with 1500 "Yes I'm here and I'm concerned." replies!)
 
Incidentally, I'd be interested to know if the 2nd comment I sent yesterday at about 3pm came through to this list? It didn't appear in the daily digest.
Thanks - Gary Green

Technical Librarian
Virtual Content Team
Surrey County Council

Tel. 01306-881499

Fax. 01306-743240

Surrey Libraries Twitter: www.twitter.com/surreylibraries
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-----"lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries" <[log in to unmask]> wrote: -----
To: [log in to unmask]
From: Frances Hendrix <[log in to unmask]>
Sent by: "lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries" <[log in to unmask]>
Date: 26/08/2010 10:54AM
Subject: Re: Libraries making the news again!

But doesn't the MLA have a role in this communication strategy to all and sundry? Chief librarians and staff in public libraries have a contract that does not allow them to air their views.
f
Frances Hendrix
Martin House Farm, Hilltop Lane, Whittle le Woods, Chorley, Lancs PR6 7QR, UK
tel: 01257 274 833.  fax: 01257 266 488
email: [log in to unmask]
----- Original Message -----
From: [log in to unmask] href="mailto:[log in to unmask]" target=blank>Roy Clare
To: [log in to unmask] href="mailto:[log in to unmask]" target=blank>[log in to unmask]
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 5:16 PM
Subject: Re: Libraries making the news again!

Yes, Philip, I agree that the exposure is great to have but I too thought the national TV and radio coverage rather old hat.

By way of contrast I was invited to undertake interviews with 16 BBC local government stations between 7 and 9 this morning, where the level of insight was generally better-informed and I was able to respond with a constructive agenda and accent a local context.

The real decisions about library services are local ones, by Local Councillors. In the new era of a coalition government, with a premium on local decision-making, we can't say this too often.

National politicians have to achieve their ends through local delivery, by elected local leaders.

And, to judge by perceptions on local radio today, professional staff need to heed the reality that many people don't know what happens in their local libraries, which is a gap in local - not national - communications.

Roy


Roy Clare CBE
CEO, Museums, Libraries and Archives Council

www.mla.gov.uk
+44 (0) 207 273 1476/9
Via Blackberry

From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tue Aug 24 16:36:13 2010
Subject: Re: Libraries making the news again!

I have to say I found the item on BBC One TV this morning very disappointing.  The BBC introduced the item with a very negative slant.  “The number of people visiting their local library in the last year has dropped to 50% of the population” – which other public service has 50% of the population making use of its services?  This is a footfall which many services, both public and private, would die for.  The person from the Ideas Store unfortunately didn’t argue the case for libraries very well – there was nothing about libraries and literacy, children’s reading challenge during the summer to support the reading gap left by school holidays,  libraries and the provision of accurate and current information, libraries changing people’s lives through exposure to new ideas etc etc.

Good to have this level of exposure though!

Philip Wark

Principal Librarian

Midlothian Council - Education and Children's Services

Library HQ

2 Clerk Street

Loanhead

Midlothian EH20 9DR

tel: 0131 271 3971

fax: 0131 440 4635

[log in to unmask]

From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Frances Hendrix
Sent: 24 August 2010 16:19
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Libraries making the news again!

Libraries, threatened closures and the results of the recent DCMS Taking Part survey were discussed on BBC ONE TV Breakfast, Radio 4 Today and Radio 5 this morning. Furthermore some local BBC radio programmes have later featured libraries.

.

Frances Hendrix
Martin House Farm, Hilltop Lane, Whittle le Woods, Chorley, Lancs PR6 7QR, UK
tel: 01257 274 833.  fax: 01257 266 488
email: [log in to unmask]

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