Barnet Council have released the strategic library review ahead of next weeks Council meeting. Given that Councillor Robert Rams originally suggested wholesale closure, this represents something of a victory in that the vast majority are being maintained. This shows the power of well organised local campaigns. I said all along that it was vital to ensure that the strength of public feeling in support of the Libraries was known. The public responded in a fantastic manner. The Barnet Tories will doubtless claim otherwise, but why have a review to largely continue doing everything the same? So long as the service is there, we have a platform for the future. That is the victory we have won.
I am highly worried that Grahame Park and Childs Hill libraries are seemingly for the chop. Strange that these happen to be in opposition wards, when libraries in Tory wards have largely been spared. I am also "interested" in the proposal to combine Finchley and Church End libraries on a single site.
The full document is here -
http://committeepapers.barnet.gov.uk/democracy/reports/reportdetail.asp?ReportID=10225
I will post a full report on this when I understand the implications of the small print. There are clear references to staffing etc, which require a more detailed analysis, but I must thank everyone who has helped with the campaign. It is abundantly clear that this shook the local Council and forced a massive rethink in their policy. If I never do anything useful again, I am pleased to have helped maintain this vital service in a semi recognisable form.
Let that be the lesson of this whole sorry chapter. Finally a word for Councillor Robert Rams. Unlike many of your colleagues, you do seem to have listened following some ridiculous statements to kick this process off. I think that given the fact that you've shown a modicum of common sense. Let's hope that when I've read the whole thing properly we can strip you of your title as Barnet's biggest twat and award it to one of your colleagues instead. watch this space.......
The full document is here -
http://committeepapers.barnet.gov.uk/democracy/reports/reportdetail.asp?ReportID=10225
I will post a full report on this when I understand the implications of the small print. There are clear references to staffing etc, which require a more detailed analysis, but I must thank everyone who has helped with the campaign. It is abundantly clear that this shook the local Council and forced a massive rethink in their policy. If I never do anything useful again, I am pleased to have helped maintain this vital service in a semi recognisable form.
Let that be the lesson of this whole sorry chapter. Finally a word for Councillor Robert Rams. Unlike many of your colleagues, you do seem to have listened following some ridiculous statements to kick this process off. I think that given the fact that you've shown a modicum of common sense. Let's hope that when I've read the whole thing properly we can strip you of your title as Barnet's biggest twat and award it to one of your colleagues instead. watch this space.......
Sadly I'm unsurprised that they're considering closing Child's Hill, despite the best efforts of the staff (who are always friendly and helpful when I visit) the council has let the library get very shabby. The building needs modernising and the stock improving. I used to work as a library assistant and it was widely acknowledged that the best way of encouraging people to visit and join was simply to invest in books and DVDs/CDs.
ReplyDeleteI live on the Westcroft Estate in between Child's Hill library and West Hampstead library and the contrast couldn't be clearer. Camden council has spent money on the building and stock whereas Barnet hasn't. The stats on deprivation and library usage in the borough doesn't surprise me either. Barnet Council has always prioritised residents living in richer areas than us lot in Cricklewood, Hendon and Burnt Oak.
Co-location with partners? what does that actually mean? I suspect it means putting coffee shops and the like in, which is not neccessarily bad unless it leads to less space for books.
ReplyDeleteI fear your rehabilitation of Rambo may be a little premature. Barnet Museum is still under threat despite accepting the Council's funding cut because Rambo has moved the goalposts and is now insisting on charging us a market rent for the building we have occupied for 80 years (this equates to a 243% cut).
ReplyDeleteMickey,
ReplyDeleteYou are of course quite right about Rams. I was however genuinely surprised at their climbdown over Libraries. The fact that sustained public campaigns work, should be a fillip to your campaign.
Maybe we should bring the Museum to the Library at his next council surgery? We should encourage everyone to bring their Barnet Historical items and have an impromptu exhibition?
Barnet Historical items...
ReplyDeleteIntegrity,
Compassion,
Efficiency,
Respect,
...
Rog T
ReplyDeletePlease don't let my antipathy towards Rambo take away from the largely excellent result of the library campaign. Indeed, it is a source of inspiration for us at the Museum (laced with a little apprehension given the vindictive nature of our democratic representatives).