https://www.publiclibrariesnews.com/2011/06/well-done-to-jim-not-so-well-done-to-ed.html What's happening to your library? Wed, 15 Jun 2011 13:41:47 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://www.publiclibrariesnews.com/2011/06/well-done-to-jim-not-so-well-done-to-ed.html#comment-101 Wed, 15 Jun 2011 13:41:47 +0000 http://83.170.89.36/~publicli/2011/06/well-done-to-jim-not-so-well-done-to-ed.html#comment-101 Bearing in mind the disastrous recent developments involving Wokingham, Croydon and Wandsworth, the case against the privatisation of public libraries now needs to be made as robustly and vociferously as possible, from as many quarters as possible. Library authorities that implement privatisation as a means of quelling public anger at the prospect of library closures may be in for a shock. Hounslow library service (which is privately run)has recently threatened 8 of its 11 libraries with closure.
It is profoundly worrying that, unlike its American equivalent, CILIP has offered a platform to private companies touting for ‘library business’ at executive briefings, etc.
Profit-extracting ‘private public libraries’ are an inherent contradiction in terms, are not democratically accountable and should be anathma to any vocationally committed professional librarian, worth his or her salt.

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