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Oh dear Mick, such a pathetic story of decline and lack of vision and guts! I gave a paper c 10 or more years ago, where I suggested we merge libraries and post offices, made post offices available in libraries, and on mobiles etc. Both were dying then! Vision, everyone seems to have cataracts! But it is all deja vu, been here done that, failed!"! f -----Original Message----- From: Mick Fortune [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: 20 March 2012 11:16 To: Frances Hendrix; [log in to unmask] Subject: RE: IT in the library Hello Frances I think it's difficult to be optimistic about the future of the public library service when so many senior members of the profession have taken on portfolios in local authorities that require them to manage "leisure services", "transformation" or whatever. They no longer see their primary role as developing a library service, rather local services in general - and looking around for a way to deliver these services more cheaply the library seems rather an obvious location. Sadly for libraries they have also been investing heavily in the technologies that make them even more attractive to fill that role. With so much under investment in resources over the years - and no national agency worthy of the name to help them develop it is unsurprising that many libraries have declined to the extent of your NW example Frances. And of course once they're in that condition it's relatively easy to close them - or reinvent them as "service hubs". Here in France the Post Offices are still open in every small town - because they perform the role for which public libraries are now being targeted. They still have libraries and médiathèques though - and are amazed at the British penchant for throwing away something they invented. They ask me what on earth we think we're doing? When explaining I find my years of supporting England at football has been a huge help in that regard. Mick -----Original Message----- From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Frances Hendrix Sent: 20 March 2012 10:48 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: IT in the library Spot on Rant away -----Original Message----- From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ian Clark Sent: 20 March 2012 10:42 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: IT in the library Yes, agree. Again, I think this comes back to failure of management to address the fundamentals of the library service. There seems to be a degree of clarity of the role of the profession lower down the chain, but some (emphasis on the 'some') at the top seem to be afflicted by muddled thinking and a will to bend to political demands. I can feel myself veering off into a rant... ;) Ian Clark Library Systems Officer, Augustine House, Canterbury Christ Church University Email: [log in to unmask] Tel. 01227 767700 ext 3141 -----Original Message----- From: Wylie, Alan [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: 20 March 2012 10:33 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: IT in the library Yes we should be embracing new technologies and using them to push our profession onwards and upwards, I don't think there's any disagreement on that! However due to the savage staffing cuts across the service, staff are being asked to do more and more with less and less and that includes taking on the role of career adviser, legal adviser, consumer champion, advocate, IT expert etc. Front line staff often don't get adequate training or support and are unclear about boundaries and roles! Practically should they really be expected to sit for half an hour with a user helping them to buy something from amazon or an air plane ticket when they are struggling to keep the basic statutory service afloat? More clarity on roles, responsibilities and expectations is needed urgently? Alan Wylie Librarian Islington These are my own views and do not represent those of my authority. -----Original Message----- From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ian Clark Sent: 20 March 2012 10:20 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: IT in the library Yes, I don't think Amanda was suggesting that she resented it. I have encountered staff that do though (mainly due to lack of confidence in their own skills to be honest). Think this boils down to failings that go back several years. That these failings are still evident now is rather depressing. Ian Clark Library Systems Officer, Augustine House, Canterbury Christ Church University Email: [log in to unmask] Tel. 01227 767700 ext 3141 -----Original Message----- From: Phil Jones [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: 20 March 2012 10:14 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: IT in the library With all due respect, if Amanda didn't ask the question then we wouldn't be discussing it. Plus she never said she resented it herself, she asked whether other people did. It's a fair question in my opinion. Phil Jones This e-mail is intended for the addressee only. If you have received it in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from your computer. Please be aware that information in this email may be confidential, legally privileged and/or copyright protected.