14 replies to this topic

[Sebastian-Smythe]

I've hinted in other topics our small libraries are not as safe as folk think.

Information has come my way to the effect if you don't start squawking, raising very important questions and the like with Local and Distric Councillors, Seb could well be saying in the not too distant future, "I told you so."

Large and small stores could very easely become mini libraries.

What really bothers me are the collections of local history and ancient volumes which could be lost. Don't forget what happened to them when Keighley library was closed for refurbishment.

You have been warned!

I'll not do it again.

[Sebastian-Smythe]

Sebastian-Smythe, on 16 October 2010 - 01:08 PM, said:

I've hinted in other topics our small libraries are not as safe as folk think.

Information has come my way to the effect if you don't start squawking, raising very important questions and the like with Local and Distric Councillors, Seb could well be saying in the not too distant future, "I told you so."

Large and small stores could very easely become mini libraries.

What really bothers me are the collections of local history and ancient volumes which could be lost. Don't forget what happened to them when Keighley library was closed for refurbishment.

You have been warned!

I'll not do it again.

Your replies are pathetic.
95 views and none of you out there have owt to say.
b]WHY?[/b]
Get off your rear ends for heavens sake and start asking who will be next?
You'll soon start shouting if your library does close.

[Harveybos]

Sebastian-Smythe, on 17 October 2010 - 03:45 PM, said:

Your replies are pathetic.
95 views and none of you out there have owt to say.
b]WHY?[/b]
Get off your rear ends for heavens sake and start asking who will be next?
You'll soon start shouting if your library does close.

'Use it or lose it' is the key phrase here - and using the library doesn't mean necessarily borrowing books. I understand that they count footfall so call in, pick up some leaflets, look at the exhibitions, use the internet, and yes, even borrow a book!

[bikerbabe]

To be honest I have only used the library a few times, but as its a small library there wasn't really many books in the subject I wanted so only borrowed a couple. My daughter has borrowed more books than myself. But she now borrows books from the school library.

[blunt pencil]

This is a very important thing, I agree.

Unfortunately its a sign of modern times - kids dont use it for books, everyone has a computer and most people forget its there.

I have never been in. Its like being the only customer in a shop and all you want to do is browse.

The Library has been consigned to the history books, as starbucks and Waterstones fill the gap.


Maybe we should be asking, how can the library become more central to the community. It should not be about fitting a library into a supermarket (or a corner shop). Maybe the library should become a coffee shop, sell books, have music (or free access to Napster) whatever it takes to make it central.

Because its is not central now and hasnt been for a long time.

[H2drogen]

Library Good
You can order books for online free loan from Bradford libraries and get them sent out for collection at Burley (this is the sort of service that could be charged for and then become a nail in the lid of the Local Library Casket). So if you want to look into a subject, somewhere in the network there should be something. I would be worried that this service could go. I would be worried that this would be charged for and then Burley Library would become a very small library with little stock.
You could also just go in and walk past the sensor a few times to count as many uses.

Funny thing, I can't imagine books being replaced by the e-bookie wookie. If anything, the e-bookie wookie will be the death of reading. Maybe I am a dinosaur but possessing or holding an object and flicking through and around it is far more involving than merely reading words. If we resort to reading the words, we will lose interest.
What about that dusty scent of a 100+ year old volume full of outdated opinions or the price in shillings on the back of the classic 60s novel? Libraries are great. Just make sure that if they do close, we keep the books for when we realise why we had them in the first place.

[Sebastian-Smythe]

Thank heaven there's some sense out there.

Those of you who read the T&A will already be aware Bradford, once again, is being used as another pilot study this time for moving our library books from their rightfull place to the nearest store, super or otherwise.

I spend hours in our library researching as do many more not just from Ilkley but visitors too. No doubt the same happens in Burley. If you're to keep your library now is the time to be making you're feelings known, not when a local shop or garage becomes an intermediate

It's already started!

Will Burley be next?

[bikerbabe]

Quote

Library Good
You can order books for online free loan from Bradford libraries and get them sent out for collection at Burley (this is the sort of service that could be charged for and then become a nail in the lid of the Local Library Casket). So if you want to look into a subject, somewhere in the network there should be something. I would be worried that this service could go. I would be worried that this would be charged for and then Burley Library would become a very small library with little stock.

Its good that they do this service, but its only really good if you know which book you are wanting. When I look at books I need to see them and have a flick through them to see if they have the relevant/type of information I am looking for etc. I think its nice to browse the books at leisure and see all the different types they have on your chosen subject (if your researching etc) I would rather do this than pick out some random names from a list of books.


Not sure what the fictional side of the library is like as I very rarely read fictional books, I don't have the time.


I think a cafe of some sort, just a basic one, serving hot and cold drinks and maybe a bun or two might be nice. Depends if it would be viable though, where would it be put, the library isn't that big really.

Although I do not use it really myself I feel it would be a great loss to see it go. I always took my children to the local library when they were small, as I think if you can get them interested in reading and books when they are young they are more likely to carry on reading when older be it fictional or for study/knowledge. But most kids nowadays turn to the PC to find facts and figures for school research etc rather than look through books as i used to.. sign of the times?

[Sebastian-Smythe]

bikerbabe, on 19 October 2010 - 11:12 PM, said:

Although I do not use it really myself I feel it would be a great loss to see it go. I always took my children to the local library when they were small, as I think if you can get them interested in reading and books when they are young they are more likely to carry on reading when older be it fictional or for study/knowledge. But most kids nowadays turn to the PC to find facts and figures for school research etc rather than look through books as i used to.. sign of the times?

It's all very well using a computer but the reseacher has to know where they are coming from in the first. Most often one can't find certain things on the web, they are the things which are in books not already on line. If you can't find a book then ask the Librarian. That's what they are there for.

[Mrs L]

Burley Library has 2 new members from our household this week. My 3 year old daughter will be making sure the footfall increases, that's for sure!

[Matt]

Sebastian-Smythe, on 16 October 2010 - 01:08 PM, said:

I've hinted in other topics our small libraries are not as safe as folk think.

SS has an excellent point - in the current climate there are no guarantees, and it is very much 'use it or lose it'.

Please do use it, regardless of techncology libraries are as importantr now as they have every been and I would not want ours to ever be at risk.

Matt

[Sebastian-Smythe]

Matt, on 21 October 2010 - 10:14 PM, said:

SS has an excellent point - in the current climate there are no guarantees, and it is very much 'use it or lose it'.

Please do use it, regardless of techncology libraries are as importantr now as they have every been and I would not want ours to ever be at risk.

Matt

Thanks Matt.

I was starting to think Burley was suffering from the Ostrich Syndrome.

Perhaps you would have a word with the person in charge of Libraries in Bradford and find out just what is going on.

[Matt]

Sebastian-Smythe, on 22 October 2010 - 02:00 PM, said:

Perhaps you would have a word with the person in charge of Libraries in Bradford and find out just what is going on.

I actually have a meeting with Libraries next week already arranged!

[Sebastian-Smythe]

Matt, on 22 October 2010 - 05:39 PM, said:

I actually have a meeting with Libraries next week already arranged!

Striking now before the iron gets hot will help everyone and that includes the library staff too.
Though I have to say the mood throughout the country is far from perfect.

Perhaps your local history and family tree groups shoud be alerted too.

[Sebastian-Smythe]

Sebastian-Smythe, on 23 October 2010 - 01:19 PM, said:

Striking now before the iron gets hot will help everyone and that includes the library staff too.
Though I have to say the mood throughout the country is far from perfect.

Perhaps your local history and family tree groups shoud be alerted too.

Are we any further down the book shelves with this one Matt.

Afraid I've been letting things slide locally.