Comments on: Special: Automatic English child library membership? No, not really.

By: Sue Copp

Sue Copp — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 19:57:06 +0000

I live in Wales and yes, I must admit that when I read the boastful claim (in a local newspaper) made by libraries last year stating that, ‘Every child can be a FREE library member’, I was puzzled because, hello, what’s new here? When has it ever cost anyone anything to join a library? I joined in the 1950s as a 7 year old. I found the library myself just like Roald Dahl’s Mathilda and took the membership form home to my Mum for her to sign. From that day on I went every day…I was a fast reader but I had to because you could only take two books out each visit , one fiction and one non-fiction. My first job was as a public library assistant and I am still working with books….lovely historic books in a Record Office

By: Frank Daniels

Frank Daniels — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 17:15:07 +0000

It is particularly clever of this government to have found a way of “slighting” libraries and librarianship without the tried and tested tactic of burning books in the streets. They say one thing and do the opposite, or vice versa!! The money being spent on updating the Trident nuclear submarine fleet is clearly not money being spent on protecting the lives of ordinary working people (people who used to use public libraries) as they are clearly not worth protecting, since they will be unread soon, on top of all the rest of their disadvantages. It follows that those monies are being spent to protect who???…The gap keeps widening…

By: John

John — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 08:10:50 +0000

I would agree that 8 seems a bit old for children to be introduced to the library for the first time. I always thought that was the beauty of a proactive Surestart librarian (there’s those professionals again) working closely with the local early years clinics to try to engage children and parents from the earliest age. By 8 they are half way through the typical age range of our Summer Reading Challenge.

We have to admit though any kind of government interest in increasing membership can only be a good thing, the terminology is woolly but that’s fine, the detail of how it can be accomplished can be put in by those best placed to execute it . Lets face it, in the world we live in we need ‘data’ to be on our side before we can even think about successfully campaigning for hours and staffing.

Aren’t these arguments about closures actually with our councils (who I sympathise employ us so we mustn’t shout too loudly at them) not central Government? As much as I’m uncertain about Ed’ Vaizey et al’s motives I don’t think for a minute he sits in his office saying: “Cut 15 hours from X library and lay off 75% of librarians from Y authority”. They generally just don’t care, and if we swim “great”, if we sink, “”meh”. We need to empirically prove that we have been cut enough, that the excellent service we provide sits on a precipice. Problem is that in these arguments we all seem to focus on either: a) the national government are targeting libraries specifically or b) the council is faced with the option of either shutting a library or turfing poor Aunt Mildred from her care home. I don’t know for sure as I am merely ‘base, common and popular’ and not one of the decision makers but is there a option c)?

By: Joan

Joan — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 12:38:46 +0000

In conversation with an ex head teacher last night they commented that 8 years old was far too late and that children should have Library tickets as soon as possible. That means the aim should be for every child to get a Library ticket during their first year of education. I’ll leave the debate about how all these children will access library services that have been closed or had opening hours reduced for another day!

By: Shirley Burnham

Shirley Burnham — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 06:06:16 +0000

I see your reference to a negative reaction which you describe as “even hatred”.

That’s over-egging the cake, Ian. There are useful and informative quotes comments from campaigners and Libraries advocates in yesterday’s articles which have nothing to do with “hatred” – and I suggest people read them.

For example, Alan Gibbons asked in The Bookseller:
“So will there be an immediate moratorium on all library closures? Will funding be restored to the three hundred plus library points closed in the stewardship of this government? Will Vaizey halt the cuts to library staff that have seen a fall of 20% under this government? Will we see action to stop the slashing of opening hours and book stocks, an issue that hit the headlines at the crisis-ridden Library of Birmingham? Answers please.”

Laura, of The Library Campaign said Morgan should “have a word” with Vaizey, who has “done nothing to help local people trying to stop this wholesale destruction [of the library service]”.

I referred, amongs other things, to “successive” Governments’ neglect, arrogance and ineptitude.

Desmond Clarke and Tim Coates, on the other hand, think “this is an extremely good, positive and constructive initiative” – which is their prerogative.

People must always say what they believe to be true and not be encouraged or instructed by those who hold another view (as I have been, by the way!) to change their tune.