One of the problems that public libraries face is that too many
"traditionalists" (and too much of this article IMHO) are concerned about
saving library buildings and not library services. There are too many
libraries across the country that are run-down, badly resourced buildings
with the word "library" pinned on them and someone inside going mental with
boredom.
There are three main reasons why a library could/should be closed:
* Local demographics - the population has moved away. Many libraries
were invested in late Victorian times; housing and travel to work patterns
have changed.
* Building suitability - it's a fact: some old library buildings are
utterly wonderful architecturally but aren't fit for the purposes the public
are demanding from libraries these days. The layout of some libraries makes
it physically impossible to accommodate books, bodies, IT and communty
activities.
* Local resources - if a community can't or won't invest the money
required to properly service the number of libraries it owns should it have
that many libraries in the first place? What's the virtue in spreading staff
so thinly that there's constant crisis management; or spreading the book
fund so thinly that the money runs out after the first couple of mass buys
of popular fiction? This is the question that is too often ducked, leaving
libraries in the worst of all worlds. Ideally they would all be properly
resourced and the question wouldn't arise.
There are plenty of old buildings that are vibrant, exciting, well-used
libraries and there are plenty of new buildings that are empty shells. It
isn't the building that makes the library good or bad: it's where it is and
what's in it.
Steven Heywood
The views expressed are purely personal.
> ----------
> From: Stuart Brewer[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Reply To: Stuart Brewer
> Sent: 13 June 2001 09:02
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Guardian Society: public libraries
>
> The Society section of today's Guardian carries an article on public
> libraries ('Read Alert', by Alison Benjamin) - "Modernisers are seeking to
> close run-down libraries and replace them hi-tech centres. But
> traditionalists are angry".
>
> The article focuses on tower Hamlets, Sandwell, and Friends of Libraries
> groups.
> ---------------------------
> Stuart Brewer
> 36 Highbury, Jesmond
> Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 3EA
> UK
> Tel: +44 (0)191 281 3502
> Fax: +44 (0)191 212 0146
> [log in to unmask]
>
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