Comments on: Trafford, Lincs, Staffs, Cardiff … everywhere, really

By: Geoff Newell

Geoff Newell — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 22:15:17 +0000

Trafford are citing Leeds as a reference for the open+ system of unstaffed libraries. I am trying to find out an independent view of the results of their pilot. Any thoughts. I’ve only seen articles written as it was installed.

By: Shirley Burnham

Shirley Burnham — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 20:48:48 +0000

“The proof of the pudding is in the eating” it is said, so scroll down an inch or two beyond Brian Ashley’s remarks to “dine out” on the latest press reports listed under them. These detail only the most recent evidence of the library service’s disintegration.

Whilst his contributions to this site are welcome, it still baffles me as to how the ACE’s “vision for libraries” has made or will make any material difference to the increasingly dire plight besetting the service. Nor is it at all clear how the Taskforce will influence events, seeing as it will not report well over a year.

I’d guess that Ed Vaizey is happy to let other members of the establishment speak for him.

It’s all a bit of a whitewash, ain’t it?

By: Ian Anstice

Ian Anstice — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 22:35:45 +0000

In reply to Stephen.

Hi Stephen. Sorry, I had inadvertently written Salford when I meant Trafford. I somehow always mistake those two in my mind! Oh well, I’ve changed it now.

Thanks for the reminder about Bromley. I’ll include next time.

By: Colin Cheesman

Colin Cheesman — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 22:20:08 +0000

Wallasey Central Library was where my girlfriend (now my wife) started her career in libraries with her first job. I remember that they had newspapers on wooden poles in a rack in the reading room and a music library where you could borrow LP’s and sheet music. Good to see it has survived this far in a time of cuts and closures.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 20:32:33 +0000

A quick comment on this – Salford is a STRONGLY Labour council – in fact it’s about as conservative as Hull or Newcastle!
NB. http://www.salford.gov.uk/d/List_of_Members_-_updated_27_May_2014.pdf

Would also appreciate some publicity on your website for Bromley’s ongoing library consultation – it can be seen clearly on their homepage http://www.bromley.gov.uk – this considers handing over 6/14 libraries to volunteers and possibly privatising the service.