A wet and windy Tuesday evening didn’t stop over 75 members of the public from making their way to Quay Arts last night to hear a presentation by Tim Coates on how nine of the eleven libraries earmarked for closure could be avoided.
Several county councillors attended the meeting organised by VentnorBlog, including one Conservative councillor, Ian Ward, who later told VB how impressed he was with the presentation and ideas for budget savings.
The key message from Tim’s presentation was to pass control to those working in the libraries for ordering books, managing staff and negotiating opening hours.
Tested and proven
He told the audience how this model has been tested in Hillingdon with the enthusiastic support of the Cabinet member responsible, and has not only saved libraries from closure, but increased usage of the revamped libraries.
There was a lively question and answer session following the hour long presentation. Some people disagreed with Tim’s suggestions, but the overwhelming response to his suggestions was very positive, receiving a huge applause at the end of the meeting.
Presentation to Cabinet member, Cllr George Brown
VB also organised for Tim to make his presentation to Cllr George Brown and Ian Anderson today at County Hall.
The meeting was very positive with the ideas being well received by the Cabinet member responsible for libraries. More to follow on this later.
For those unable to attend the presentation, Big Barn Media were filming the event and we hope to share the footage with VB readers shortly.
Live tweeting
Here’s a round-up of the Tweets we pout out during the meeting
Tim Coates talk starting. Good numbers here, especially with the weather we have on the Island tonight
If we are to make decision (Big Society), we need to have the basic information
£1.9m spent on Island libraries 2010-11. £267k spent on books, etc
£1.2m spent in the libraries. £700k spent centrally. Ratio much better than Somerset
His idea for Island libraries – spend the money on the libraries, not the central section
Thinks there should be 11 independent libraries. Not centrally controlled. Saving costs in the middle, not libraries
He believes if each library is independent, they’ll be better libraries. Serve the community better
Thinks too much management – too expensive and strangles initiative at library branch level
In the UK there’s currently about 140 different types of labels specified. Need to be standardise
He thinks the library supply chain (how many companies books go through to get to library) should be shortened
Each branch library should have its own monthly budget for books – and their own staff budgets
He proposes to save £600k on the library budget – without losing any Island libraries
Success of Hillingdon was helped by Cabinet member and Director being behind the proposed changes
Self-service machines are an expensive capital cost with high maintenance & should not be used as a replacement for staff.
Cllr Ian Ward raises question of procurement. Response, only two library wholesalers left in UK so should not be a problem
Q: are there figures available for sale of buildings? A: as far as we know being offered for peppercorn rent
Two large law firms are providing legal aid for those who wish to take action against councils for closing libraries
Cllr Welsford: there are savings that can be made council-wide to ensure investment in libraries.
The idea of only using volunteers is not thought through. It’s not practical.
Image: © Biteback Publishing
