Category: Local

 

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Barnet UNISON Press Release: 31 March 2016 

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Unstaffed Libraries – Unsafe and Unproven

 Barnet Council has used the examples of Denmark, Leeds and Peterborough to support their plan to replace Library workers with unstaffed libraries (Open+). Barnet UNISON exposed how the Danish use of unstaffed library opening differed from the Barnet plan. » Read more

Barnet Libraries are suffering major problems with IT. This has meant that the Open+ (unstaffed opening) pilot at Edgware Library has been suspended, inconveniencing the few people who use that site during the additional opening hours, but there are serious implications for the future operation of our libraries

If a similar failure occurs after the Council’s Library proposal is implemented, it will cause an almost complete shutdown of the Library Service. » Read more

Statement from Tine Jorgensen, Chair of the Danish Union of Librarians

“Libraries play a crucial role in a modern, democratic society as cultural, social and educational institutions. Libraries offer access to information, literature (fiction and non-fiction) and digital resources and engaging the population in active citizenship regardless of social and economic differences.

Libraries support learning activities in terms of reading, information seeking and validation of search results. Studies show that children who are keen readers in their spare time read considerably better than those who do not show interest in reading.  Librarians support this with their knowledge of books and reading levels.

Libraries also play a role in terms of digital resources. When the Danish Business Authority introduced the digital mailbox the libraries and library staff supported the digital strategy by offering assistance and learning activities for the citizens

 

Therefore self-serviced or unstaffed libraries are only to be seen as an enhancement of the opening hours, not as a replacement for the important tasks that librarians, information professionals and other library workers perform every day.”

Open + /Unstaffed Libraries – It’s Different in Denmark

Barnet Council propose to cut library posts by 46%, alongside a 70% reduction of staffed hours at libraries. This is to be facilitated by Open+ technology which will allow some members of the public access to libraries when staff are not present. The Council claim this has a precedent in Scandinavia, particularly Denmark. » Read more

John Burgess UNISON Branch Secretary said:

“Yes I know it is Barnet, and yes we are currently consulting on our thirteenth TUPE transfer in three years but this is unbelievable, is nothing sacred, what will be next, Street Scene services? But our branch doesn’t let outsourcing stop us organising so for the first time in our history that we will be holding our Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 2 March from 4 pm at the St John the Apostle Church Hall, Friern Barnet Lane, Whetstone, (opposite the Three Horseshoes Pub).

All Barnet UNISON members are welcome it is going to be cracking meeting.”

 

BREAKING NEWS: Barnet Council to transfer the management of Street Scene services to Barnet Group a Local Authority Trading Company.

Barnet Group is made up of Barnet Homes, Your Choice Barnet.

370 staff were informed today that they will be managed by Barnet Group initially for a six month period.

Staff will still be employed by Barnet Council.

The decision has been made by a Delegated Powers Report signed by the Chief Executive.

Barnet UNISON is in the process of meeting with our members and have agreed an emergency meeting with senior managers and the local reps for Tuesday 16 February 2016.