Shelagh's comment is probably largely true. Also, we're hamstrung
historically to some extent by being statutory, but ill-defined (at
least until PLS's recently, and they're far from perfect), and by being
perceived as relatively non-essential compared with e.g. housing, social
services et al. We are seen as a Good Thing, but others are seen as
Better. Maybe we can successfully take the opportunity offered by PN
developments to tie our services in more closely to our various
corporate fabrics and grab some resources that way ?
Hugh Paton, Bexley
-----Original Message-----
From: Shelagh Levett LEIS-Lib [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 07 February 2002 18:33
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Date stamps
Because we're all nice people and don't push ourselves or our services
forward enough.
There, controversial enough to get discussion going?!
Shelagh Levett
Bournemouth
-----Original Message-----
From: Steven Heywood [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, February 07, 2002 5:17 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Date stamps
No one's really responded to this so I'll bite:
Perhaps the question we're avoiding is: "How come public library
services
appear to be such poor resource competitors with other statutory
services
when the voting public thinks that libraries are A Good Thing?"
Steven
Steven Heywood
Systems Manager
Rochdale Library Service
Wheatsheaf Library
Baillie Street
Rochdale, England OL16 1JZ
Tel: 01706 864967
Fax: 01706 864992
The Library Service Page of Love
http://www.rochdale.gov.uk/living/libraries.asp?url=romance
> ----------
> From: Lewis,Aran M[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Reply To: Lewis,Aran M
> Sent: 18 January 2002 15:35
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Date stamps
>
> We are indeed here to serve the public, and here are a few indicators
of
> how
> we (public libraries as a whole) have been doing this in recent years
> (stats
> from LISU, http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/dils/lisu/lisuhp.html)-
>
> Changes over the period 92/93-99/00
>
> Professional librarians per 10,000 population - cut by 14.3%
> Total staff per 10,000 population - cut by 10%
> Service points open for 45 hours or more - cut by 8.8%
> Mobile service points - cut by 4.9%
> Service points to population ratio - cut by 5.6%
> Total service point hours per week - cut by 5.5%
> Average permitted loan (weeks) - cut by 11.8%
>
> 95/96-99/00 [data not available online for earlier years]
>
> Books acquired in year - cut by 18.1%
> Bookstock - cut by 7.5 %
>
> In this context I think the date label controversy falls some distance
> short
> of astonishing.
>
> Cheers,
> Aran Lewis
> Senior Librarian Bibliographic Services
> Libraries
> Education
> London Borough of Lambeth
> phone: 020 7926 6069
> fax: 020 7926 6072
> e-mail: [log in to unmask]
> website: http://www.lambeth.gov.uk
>
> Bibliographic Services Department
> Carnegie Library
> 188 Herne Hill Road
> London SE24 0AG
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Graham Dash [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> > Sent: Friday, January 18, 2002 2:14 PM
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: Re: Date stamps
> >
> > I think my comment was completely misunderstood.
> >
> > My personal opinion, and it is ONLY MY OPINION, is that date labels
are
> > outdated and should be dispensed with.
> >
> > However, if you read the rest of my mail I quite clearly state that
the
> > public (well the majority) still wanted date labels and we continue
to
> > offer both the date label or loan receipt print, or both if that's
what
> > the user wants.
> >
> > My whole point was that you have to listen to your customers - or do
> you?
> > I've come across several instances over the years in all walks of
life
> > where things are changed where the majority don't want it but there
> views
> > are disregarded.
> >
> > We actually did ask our users and the result was that the date
labels
> > remain, at least for the foreseeable future.
> >
> > So why the astonishment?
> >
> > Graham Dash
> >
> > ----------
> > From: [log in to unmask]
> > Sent: 18 January 2002 14:04
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: Re: Date stamps
> >
> > <<File: ENVELOPE.TXT>>
> >
> >
>
------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
> > --
> > I was astonished to read the following comment:
> >
> > "We still offer a print out but the main problem is whether you
> > listen to what your users want or whether you make the decision
> > that date labels will no longer be provided and disregard
> > public opinion.
> >
> > Personally, I think that date labels should be discontinued"
> >
> > Well, I hate to sound like one of those forever complaining
> > readers, but they actually do pay our wages. And who are we to
> > tell them whether or not they should be allowed to have a date
> > stamped in their books. What is the point in saving,what is
> > after all their money, if we are doing it by going against
> > their wishes?
> >
> > I hope that there are still a sufficient number of people
> > within the service who don't just "disregared public opinion".
> > Like it or not, we are here to serve the public, and we should
> > do that by making decisions which suit them, not ourselves.
> >
> > Incidentally, I personally would gladly see the back of
> > date-stamping, I find it a messy, unreliable nuisance.
> > However, until the majority of readers share my views, I shall
> > be happy to continue to use them
> >
> > Michael
>
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