https://www.publiclibrariesnews.com/2016/11/at-least-they-can-complain-when-theyre-being-cut-suffolk-libraries-speaks-out.html What's happening to your library? Sun, 27 Nov 2016 22:05:12 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://www.publiclibrariesnews.com/2016/11/at-least-they-can-complain-when-theyre-being-cut-suffolk-libraries-speaks-out.html#comment-7968 Fri, 25 Nov 2016 20:39:01 +0000 http://www.publiclibrariesnews.com/?p=11723#comment-7968 It is more difficult as Ian says in first paragraph when a library service is in a cultural trust, as is the case with Luton. And when the bulk of the funding comes from the local authority via the counicl-owned airport they are in an even worse position. The board of trustees can try to make a noise but ultimately they have to accept the decision of the councillors who hold the purse strings. Even if library staff protest, if the focus/experience/enthusiasm of the board and the chief exec is more on the arts/culture, library services will suffer.

]]> https://www.publiclibrariesnews.com/2016/11/at-least-they-can-complain-when-theyre-being-cut-suffolk-libraries-speaks-out.html#comment-7966 Thu, 24 Nov 2016 08:17:07 +0000 http://www.publiclibrariesnews.com/?p=11723#comment-7966 Ian, you are absolutely correct. Trusts are not perfect and let’s not forget it’s not the Trust that is planning the cut, it’s elected council members. The same members that campaigners think should have total control over libraries. You don’t have to look far to see how badly councils are at making decisions around libraries; stand up Lancs and Sheffield. Library trusts will always be at the whim of budget cuts under the current system. However, their main strength is that they are run by people who understand libraries best, the staff themselves. And as you rightly point out they can be more vocal in opposing cuts in a way the council employees cannot.

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