local libraries

[Dee Sa]

In conversation today I was told that the future plan was to get rid of all the staff everywhere and use volunteers. Surely this is not true ? our library system is a great British institution, I have been using the library since a small girl when my parents and myself used to all walk to library together and I would disappear into the childrens section and they would collect me on the way out.
If we can afford to give millions away to other contries surely we can save our libraries ?

[parkie]

Absolutely Dee Sa. Seems like a few petitions setting up.

[gness]

I hope not Dee. I had to lie and deceive to join the library as a child. I protested to save our beautiful library doors...but no doubt they see it as a soft target in their efforts to save money.
I enjoy my visits to the library and get a lot from the staff there.
Let me know if you get any more information.

[Psybbo]

It's where I spent my early days and it would be a tragedy but this lot seem to think everbody should be unpaid vounteers - how will they afford to pay everybody who has been paid off and is then on benefits? Yes, we're all in it together except the elite few - rant over

[Caribeing]

Libraries should always have a Librarian or Library Assistant in charge to ensure the smooth running of the Library. Local libraries are an essential part of the community catering for all creeds and classes, adults and children especially should be encouraged to join the library and browse the reference section instead of relying on Google. The demise of the library would be a sad reflection on society.

[factor-fiction]

Isn't this a matter for local authorities rather than being brought in by 'this lot', sibton?

[Pumbah]

I'm not sure that this is a country-wide option. Libraries are funded by the County (or Unitary) Council, and it is up to each Council to decide how they allocate their budgets. Any decision to get rid of paid library staff and rely on volunteers would be for each Council to decide.

[woofgang]

Where I lived in America, (NJ) the libraries are completely run by volunteers, book ordering, serving the public, enquiries the whole thing. I volunteered at my local library. The system worked very well.

[SIRandyraven]

When I retire I would volunteer.
At least I would have something to do while I was sat in the library all day keeping warm in the winter.

[Psybbo]

OK, I got it wrong :o(

[gness]

Not totally Sib. I can see a time where, if we want libraries, we accept they are run by volunteers. Perhaps part of the big society.
They tried a similar thing in Kettering with volunteers taking the place of teachers. e.g. if you could get a person fluent in French to volunteer why employ a French teacher?
Somebody didn't like that idea and found a sneaky way of helping it disappear into the black hole of other new initiatives.

[sherrardk]

Sorry, have to disagree with the volunteer idea. Some roles need trained people, volunteers are brill for augmenting a service but shouldn't be used instead of trained professionals.

[puzzled54]

Volunteering may be noble, but it doesn't pay the bills.

[237SJ]

I believe (but correct me if I`m wrong) that libraries are governed by local councils. Our library`s budget is obtained from our council tax. I haven`t heard that there is a national policy on the subject. We have the highest council tax in London but as far as the library is concerned, I think it`s money well spent. The people who work in our library are paid staff and not volunteers. I hope it stays that way.

[woofgang]

I think its slightly different with teachers. They have to be able to teach and keep order in class and so on....but volunteer language conversationalists? why not?

[Psybbo]

sherrardk, I agree with you, volunteers are fine and indeed may be well qualified but jobs are needed and I don't think retired people should be depriving the young of work. Help out with homeless and charities, yes.

[woofgang]

trained professional librarians? if its a choice between libraries staffed by volunteers and no libraries, i know where my vote would go. As I said, i have experience of libraries (quite big ones) run by volunteers and it worked very well.

[woofgang]

blimey, you need a degree and possibly a further qualification?????
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/public_librarian_job_description.htm

[grasscarp]

The highlight of my week as a child was the mobile library that came to our village.

[paddywak]

I not heard anything about volunteers being used but I do know they've cut the hours at our local library from four and a half days to two and half day plus two hours on a Saturday, and cut the staff down to two.

[gness]

Woofgang. Your point at 21.13 was exactly our argument. The scheme ran, after a fashion, for three years in the eighties in six Kettering schools before being deemed.....well daft really.
My son's comp. was one of the schools to take part. It never got off the ground at all there because some chump employed a crazy Irish woman as the Volunteer Co-ordinator.