“Inappropriate, over the top, dire, painful, unacceptable, unsatisfactory, restrictive and unimaginative”
That is the view of participants stated in the recently published Council’s Library Consultation report*.
UNISON and Library user groups challenged the fairness of the consultation from the outset, viewing it as forcing responses accepting the Councils options as being the only ones possible for the future of our Libraries. But even with this weighting the result is a resounding no to the Council.
The report finds:
95 % support for libraries being run directly by the Council
Little support for library closures.
Condemnation of the proposed minimum average size of 540 square feet for Libraries.
Widespread praise of the expertise and professionalism of Barnet’s library staff, and a strong sense that these qualities could never be adequately replaced through the use of
The quality of the library service would be negatively affected if any of the options are implemented volunteers
Criticism of the ‘open library’ model (unstaffed libraries) on grounds that it would pose a security risk to users, stock and facilities; as well as diluting the overall quality of the service
The Council, if it has any claim to be a democratic body responsive to the wishes of residents, must now discard the current proposals for libraries and instead present the people of Barnet with a plan that will save our Libraries and develop on the already admirable service they provide.
* Barnet’s Future Library Service: Final Report of the Consultation Outcomes.
Report of Findings for Opinion Research Services July 2015.
IMPORTANT NEWS: Kids4Libraries march Saturday 12 September details here