Comments on: Eight keys to a real public library consultation https://www.publiclibrariesnews.com/2011/07/eight-keys-to-a-real-public-library-consultation.html What's happening to your library? Wed, 03 Aug 2011 19:25:44 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 By: Anonymous https://www.publiclibrariesnews.com/2011/07/eight-keys-to-a-real-public-library-consultation.html#comment-117 Wed, 03 Aug 2011 19:25:44 +0000 http://83.170.89.36/~publicli/2011/07/eight-keys-to-a-real-public-library-consultation.html#comment-117 Our local council who propose closing 2 libraries not only broke nearly every one of these 8 ‘rules’ at their public library consultation but actually ejected a pro libraries group because they would not agree with the council’s objectives. It was in fact, due to the council not including a ‘no change’ option and the campaign group’s objection to this that caused the council to suggest that they should not return unless they could agree with their ‘frame of reference’. Yes I will name & shame – it was Milton Keynes Council!

]]> By: Stevedore https://www.publiclibrariesnews.com/2011/07/eight-keys-to-a-real-public-library-consultation.html#comment-116 Tue, 02 Aug 2011 11:29:40 +0000 http://83.170.89.36/~publicli/2011/07/eight-keys-to-a-real-public-library-consultation.html#comment-116 CILIP should be consultees. They should never be involved in setting up a consultation.

]]> By: Ian Anstice https://www.publiclibrariesnews.com/2011/07/eight-keys-to-a-real-public-library-consultation.html#comment-115 Mon, 01 Aug 2011 20:07:16 +0000 http://83.170.89.36/~publicli/2011/07/eight-keys-to-a-real-public-library-consultation.html#comment-115 I will include CILIP because they are the specialist organisation for library staff and thus have experience and skills in this matter. It is not naive nor self-interested to suggest that one checks with experts before going through with a project.

It does not, of course, mean that CILIP or anyone else should have a veto but that one should be aware of any problems with the consultation before going ahead with it.

If councils want to have a trouble-free unchallenged consultation, this is absolutely the way to go about it.

]]> By: Stevedore https://www.publiclibrariesnews.com/2011/07/eight-keys-to-a-real-public-library-consultation.html#comment-114 Mon, 01 Aug 2011 19:27:05 +0000 http://83.170.89.36/~publicli/2011/07/eight-keys-to-a-real-public-library-consultation.html#comment-114 Seriously, this is very naive, and just the sort of thing that will get you ignored. I really would take out the comment that you should show it to trade unions (producer interest) and CILIP (the biggest producer interest in this regard) first. Of course they should be consulted, but they are not organisations with any expertise in consultation, so cannot offer any technical advice (and nor should they – they are there to represent the interests of their members – that is their job) and in terms of the interests that they represent these should not be privileged above any others – be they users of libraries, or taxpayers/citizens who don’t use libraries and can’t see the point in them.

What you are doing here is advocating a special place in consultation for a particular interest group with a very predictable viewpoint.

If you really want to influence councils to undertake meaningful consultation then “talk to CILIP first” is going to remove any influence you might have.

I can guess the councilss responses “Why? They know nothing about consultation, and they represent only one interest, and a producer interest at that”.

And I’m afraid they’d be right.

If library campaigners want to have influence, this is absolutely not the way to go about it.

]]> By: Ian Anstice https://www.publiclibrariesnews.com/2011/07/eight-keys-to-a-real-public-library-consultation.html#comment-113 Sat, 30 Jul 2011 21:33:53 +0000 http://83.170.89.36/~publicli/2011/07/eight-keys-to-a-real-public-library-consultation.html#comment-113 Thanks for the comments. The post appears to have been useful in that people are sending their own excellent suggestions either via this means or through email which I will incorporate into these points and move to a page on the site.

NB. For those worried about the lack of posting over the weekend, normal service will resume soon.

]]> By: Jim O'Neil https://www.publiclibrariesnews.com/2011/07/eight-keys-to-a-real-public-library-consultation.html#comment-112 Fri, 29 Jul 2011 21:27:35 +0000 http://83.170.89.36/~publicli/2011/07/eight-keys-to-a-real-public-library-consultation.html#comment-112 There is an excellent based-on-fact doicumentary called RECLAIMING OUR TOWN (or similar) which is not about libraries but DOES show how not to hold a public consultation event! Worth seeing at least twice, as you miss nuances the first time!

]]> By: laurensmith https://www.publiclibrariesnews.com/2011/07/eight-keys-to-a-real-public-library-consultation.html#comment-110 Fri, 29 Jul 2011 11:33:59 +0000 http://83.170.89.36/~publicli/2011/07/eight-keys-to-a-real-public-library-consultation.html#comment-110 Although local reps may have limited expertise relating to consultation processes, UNISON has a section working specifically on library-related issues who are able to support and advise: http://www.unison.org.uk/localgov/library.asp

]]> By: NMac https://www.publiclibrariesnews.com/2011/07/eight-keys-to-a-real-public-library-consultation.html#comment-109 Fri, 29 Jul 2011 09:00:56 +0000 http://83.170.89.36/~publicli/2011/07/eight-keys-to-a-real-public-library-consultation.html#comment-109 Some excellent points. There is no doubt that large numbers of people feel that “public consultation” has become nothing more than a cynical charade by Government and Local Government.

]]> By: Council worker https://www.publiclibrariesnews.com/2011/07/eight-keys-to-a-real-public-library-consultation.html#comment-108 Fri, 29 Jul 2011 08:33:17 +0000 http://83.170.89.36/~publicli/2011/07/eight-keys-to-a-real-public-library-consultation.html#comment-108 Why show UNISON? they are just one of several trade unions that a council may recognise. Why not list all the other unions?

And they will be being consulted anyway if staff are affected.

And your average UNISON local rep, while being an excellent person, is not going to have any special expertise or knowledge about consultation processes so will have very little of use to say.

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