Hello
I don't know if this has been taken forward yet, I asked someone at CILIP, whether they'd be willing to back a campaign for saving money by not buying bottled water.
This is what I was told.
"if you email us with your suggestion, it'll be passed to the correct person for consideration: [log in to unmask]"
I thought perhaps since Ian Stringer was the person who first suggested this, he might be the best person to take it up, or to present a better case for support.
Ka-Ming.
This is the crux of my original observation.My local newspaper had just revealed the amount of money spent by North Yorkshire police on battled water. At the same time the council was announcing library cuts to save a similar amount of money per branch. As a North Yorkshire ratepayer I would rather see the money go on books that police water. Especially as North Yorkshire water is some of the finest in the world.Its no comfort now to have no mobile service in my village but to know that if I was arrested I could have some free water.The main point was thisMany councillors are having to take the decision to close libraries. They don't want to, but see no option. I think its up to Librarians to point out other options to save moneyBottled water seemed a good starting point.I think CILIP should take the lead on thisOn Wed, Sep 14, 2011 at 9:19 PM, John Dolan <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Water, water everywhere and not a book to read……
Back to the point. The original brilliant observation was that this represents a large potential saving in many council budgets. Has anyone been able to do the sums to find out the national figure? Or to extrapolate suffiecient to use publicly? Can it be used in lobbying?
And while I’m at it, ask for tap water in restaurants (Some now bring it to the table automatically). You could even send the money you save to Wateraid at http://www.wateraid.org/international/donate/
John
John Dolan OBE, BA, Dip Lib, MCLIP
Tw @johnrdolan
T. 0121 476 4258
M. 07508 204200
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Renwick, Fran
Sent: 13 September 2011 15:46
*** Before reading or acting on this e-mail, or opening any attachment, please read Derby City Council's disclaimer and confidentiality statement at the end of this e-mail ***
I don’t understand the reference to drinking from a bathroom tap - I think you will find that your employer has to provide an adequate source of drinkable mains water.
Personally I can’t understand why people would prefer to drink water that’s been sitting in a plastic cooler bottle for god knows how long, as opposed to clean and safe plain tap water.
Fran Renwick| Assistant Head of Libraries| Neighbourhoods |Derby City Council, Saxon House, Heritage Gate, Friary Street, Derby DE1 1AN. Telephone 01332 641726| Minicom 01332 380712 | www.derby.gov.uk one Derby one council
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ian Stringer
Sent: 13 September 2011 14:44
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: bottled water
But thats my point in Yorkshire and most of the UK tap water is perfectly drinkable and at least as good as some bottled waters. And its free. Don't be fooled by advertisers claims!
Remember Coca Cola were prosecuted for selling neat tap water.
see
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3523303.stm
On Tue, Sep 13, 2011 at 2:31 PM, Ka Ming Pang <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
But what's the alternative?
We have water coolers in our libraries, and if we didn't then people would have to go out to buy bottled water.. and you wouldn't really want to drink water from a bathroom tap.
On Tue, Sep 13, 2011 at 11:41 AM, Carolyn Carter <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
I have at last had the information about Somerset CC's spend on water, not as much as Yorkshire police, but at almost £18,000, it would still buy a lot of books!
Carolyn Carter
----------------------------------
Our Response
We have provided data from the latest financial year 2010/2011. We are providing total amount spent per directorate for Mains Water Coolers (plugged into the mains system) and Bottle Water coolers.
Environment
Main Coolers: £2,779
Bottle Coolers: £0
Total: £2,779
Community
Main Coolers: £0
Bottle Coolers: £3,047
Total: £3,047
Children and Young People
Main Coolers: £3,016
Bottle Coolers: £4,444
Total: £7,460
Resources
Main Coolers: £4,500
Bottle Coolers: £0
Total: £4,500
Totals
Main Coolers Overall Total: £10,295
Bottle Coolers Overall Total: £7,491
We do not provide bottled table water for meetings or other functions.
From: "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask]
Sent: Thursday, 9 June 2011, 14:17
Subject: Re: bottled water
Dear Ian
This was a major soap-box issue for me when I worked for the public library service (made redundant last year). It is perfectly, fatuously, expensively ridiculous to pay whatever we all pay for potable drinking water, then buy in environmentally and monetarily expensive water.
I will do a FOI request here in Lincolnshire, if others will do the same elsewhere. I only wish I had thought of this a good while ago.
SIncerely, TOni
PS And what about the 'jiggers' - ridiculously small plastic containers of bland milk substitute that our local council buys? I always needed at least 3 per cup of tea. With a modicum of care and sense, jugs of milk could be used once more.
-----Original Message-----
From: Carolyn Carter <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Thu, 9 Jun 2011 13:37
Subject: Re: bottled waterExcellent idea! I'll contact Somerset.
Carolyn Carter
From: Ian Stringer <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Thursday, 9 June, 2011 12:39:38
Subject: bottled water
My local council is under pressure when it was discovered the police force spent £35,000 on drinking water last year. This is North Yorkshire where the tap water is pure and libraries were up for closure to save £35,000 per branch!
It strikes me that many other authorities spend lots on bottled water. Perhaps any one under threat should pose a Freedom of Information question on costs of bottled water in their authority.
Councillors don't like closing libraries but do like saving money. Give them something else to save and then they can gain kudos by saving libraries
Annie Mauger is asking what members want from CILIP.
Heres an idea for CILIP
email a FOI enquiry to every authority for what they spend on bottled water and what they spend on books and send to the local press
--
Ian Stringer
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