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Hi Frances
I have to agree with you.
There is no ‘I’ in ‘team’
but there is an ‘e’ in both ‘we’ and ‘lead.’
As I have said before it has been and
remains the role for all of us to promote, develop and advocate locally the
value of libraries, obviously, particularly now and of course appropriate promotion/pressure/challenge
in our own authorities is vital as is being demonstrated in some places.
But sorry- that does not mean there has
not been and still is a desperate need for effective national advocacy from a
central body. That everything should to be down to ‘we’/’us’
locally. If we had all managed to push for this more effectively in the past
then perhaps in the current dire economic circumstances libraries would not
appear to be the first things a number of authorities appear to go for cutting
now.
Cheers
Alan
Alan Issler,
Neighbourhood and Enterprise Manager,
City Services,
Jubilee Library,
Jubilee Street,
tel:01273-296948
mob: 07795336492
fax:01273-296976
'e' mail: [log in to unmask]
website: www.citylibraries.info
From:
lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Frances Hendrix
Sent: 09 January 2011 14:28
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: excellent
article:Public Libraries - Not so!
Oh John
really, It was a good article and it was from a users point
of view. Maybe this is what the Brent users want, and it did sound lovely.
Yes Benedict and many others know all the things libraries
do now, in fact I think the article articulated the safe place it provides, the
children using it, this was not the article to preach about all the other
services. And when those dedicated people do go to the streets and the press,
they cant spend time listing ALL that many libraries do, they are concerned
about the place and the books primarily.
Who are the 'WE' you keep referring to? Many many people are
doing a lot, many campaign groups, getting onto TV, radio, the press, many are
library supporters doing a grand job, some being very unprofessionally
pilloried on web sites like that awful get Tim Coates nasty web site. Are these
library staff doing that? Why shoot down some one fighting for libraries. he
may not cover it all, he may not know it all, people may not like him
personally, but my God he has raised the profile of public libraries more
than any one else. Also with the wonderful Shirley Burnham, Alan Gibbons,
Desmond Clarke etc.
Take comfort John from what is being published that is
supportive, and make the 'WE' you., YOU start the group, put up an agenda,
hold a meeting, gather the masses, lobby, write to MPs, write to the press get
others to do the same.
Yes 'we'; could have done more, better, quicker, BUT WE
didn't. Too many took a back seat, And the sector was divided and did not
work as one, jealousies often broke up what was great and some were too timid
to put toes in the water.Some had no long term vision.Some ignored
opportunities if other sectors or groups were involved. WE should have been
braver then, and should be now.
Don't ask what your library sector can do for you, ask what
you can do for your library sector!!
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]