Comments on: “The reality is very different”: A volunteer library manager speaks

By: librariesmatter

librariesmatter — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 21:22:43 +0000

In reply to Booling.

Reply to Booling,
No! The branch cost of a sensibly supported community run library is likely to be half or less that of a traditional paid staff library. I’m not saying that it is a desirable thing to do. If you can sensibly avoid it, then don’t do it. But if the budget choice is to close half the small libraries based on the traditional library model or keep them all open with a supported community run model then that is choice for Councillors to consider.

Hazel seem to have concerns about the IT and IT developments and the community run libraries getting left behind. The cost of the Council providing support for that is not likely to be much.

By: Booling

Booling — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 08:59:12 +0000

Reply to librariesmatter…the whole point of unpaid, volunteer, “community” libraries is to save money. A council giving any support to a comunity/volunteer-run library defeats the purpose of the exercise. Council support would cost staff time and money. If you provide proper support you may as well keep the library in Council hands!.

By: librariesmatter

librariesmatter — Sun, 27 Oct 2013 22:40:44 +0000

Aren’t most of Hazel’s points really a criticism of a lack of support from Dorset CC . Dorset CC leaves out the eight community run libraries from its statutory library service. This indicates that abandonment of these libraries is the currently preferred option for the Council. Wouldn’t a better policy be sensible Council support to ensure a sustainable future for the libraries within the statutory library service? Residents in smaller communities are just as deserving of a local public library service as are residents of large towns.