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Hi John
On the first , yes I remember the promotion of Earl and the early work under the EARL initiative that Laser Started. And thank you for referring to that. I did read the chapter Joanne did, and very good it was, and I am delighted that this is another big plus for Laser and others, like yourself, and mnay other Laser members and regional members did to support a huge amount of Laser initiatives and those of Earl.
I am delighted for Joanne and grateful for OCLC for continuing this work so well.
It is a great shame that the incredible work Laser and regional bodies did has more or less been dismantled by government decisions to create MLA regions, and then destroy them. It was the early work of Laser supported by regions that got libraries onto the web in the first place.
Enough trumpet blowing.
I don’t know if Mrs Burnham knows anything about you me or anyone else’s background. And why should she.
She has been a terrific supporter of keeping public libraries alive and living, and worked very hard.
She supports the good work Tim has done, and it was Tim who was called in by the wonderful HH.
Let’s support each other, wherever we have been in the past, to keep our libraries central to communities.
Best wishes
f
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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]
From: John Dolan [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 03 November 2011 01:25
To: 'Frances Hendrix'; [log in to unmask]
Subject: RE: Hillingdon, but more... please don't discard
Thanks Frances, and colleagues
First, and more important, later this morning I’m joining colleagues at the annual meeting of Enquire librarians. Enquire (and askCymru and it’s cross-sectoral in Wales!) is the fantastic virtual reference service delivered by skilled librarians 24 hrs a day, every day of the year. This is a service that you led, Frances, and we have both championed since its inception, now led by OCLC and supported by library services’ subscription.
Tomorrow is a mix of training and celebration. Dedicated manager, Joanne John and I have recently written a chapter about it for the (first annual) Digital Information Review (out Dec-Jan). It’s an under-sold wonder in spite of which it has a projected (Enquire) total for this year of 32,000 enquiries. It’s the kind of library service we should promote – at least on national libraries day if not throughout the year – because it’s unique and one of those unacknowledged and irreplaceable facets of library provision (like the music and drama library in Wakefield).
I hope there’ll be the now customary awards. If you saw the enquiries that come in you’d be amazed – complexity, moving stories, urgent and important needs. They all need a skilled librarian to analyse, research and respond.
Take a look: @AskALibrarianUK and http://library.wales.org/askcymru/en/
Now…
Mrs Burnham (she always addresses me as Mr Dolan) has been kind enough to send me a couple of complimentary responses to things I’ve written in recent times. She also sent this message to me “offline” which I took at face value.
I didn’t read any “ideas” in the blog but there was a good bit of vitriol. I wanted to correct the misinformation implied about my, if not others’, response to Hillingdon’s library improvements.
I also thought it fair to acknowledge the leadership of Cllr Henry Higgins, “the councillor”. The staff contribution is duly acknowledged.
Mrs Burnham knows little or nothing of my 35+ years in public service (I was never in Government), of my attitude or of my agenda so I’ll forego comment.
Take care
John
John Dolan OBE
Tw. @johnrdolan
T. 0121 476 4258
M. 07508 204200
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Frances Hendrix
Sent: 02 November 2011 19:29
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Hillingdon
Hi John
Re your recent post, I have had a number of off line comments, the one below being indicative.
Subject: RE: 5 years of the Hillingdon Library project : 29th October. er... excuse me
Nothing much of great substance seems to be contained in Mr Dolan’s comments,, except for it being an attempt to take Mr Coates down a peg or two. More "curious" than any idea presented on the Good Library Blog is the attitude of people in government who believe their own agenda alone has merit.
What do others think?
f
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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]