Council launches 'fundamental review' of Sheffield's libraries

[sci fi 10]

The closing of libraries, could be the first step to new slavery, we will all be dumbed down to mindless monkeys. To which eventual rule by the rich greedy plebs over our uneducated descendants will be a given.

 

But really, how sad it is that people do not seem to use libraries so often as before. Libraries are a fantastic source of free information and if we let them be closed down it would be a terrible shame.

[TKenny85 10]

The volunteers thing is puzzling me though. Are they now saying that anyone can work in a library? If so, why for so many years has it been impossible to get a job in a library without being massively quaified? Which is it?

 

 

I worked in a library for several years without any qualifications and apart from people who wish to become managers, I didn't know anyone who did have any relevant qualifications. In fact, my missus works in a South Yorks library and she's a trained chef.

[ECCOnoob 1,016]

The closing of libraries, could be the first step to new slavery, we will all be dumbed down to mindless monkeys. To which eventual rule by the rich greedy plebs over our uneducated descendants will be a given.

 

But really, how sad it is that people do not seem to use libraries so often as before. Libraries are a fantastic source of free information and if we let them be closed down it would be a terrible shame.

 

But as more and more people have access to the internet they have even more access to information without the need for expensive buildings and staffing costs.

 

More and more people are moving away from paper books to ereaders where they can download what they want at the touch of a button from the comfort of their own living room including thousands of free titiles and extra publications you just would not see in a library.

 

More and more school services are going online with everything from assignments to homework to teaching resources becoming more commonly online.

 

Even in my business - the fusty old legal profession - law libaries are being used less and less with many offices being part or full paperless and online resources being the main sources for case law and legislation.

 

I personally think one central library in each post town/city and maybe a couple of mobile services for the elderly/disabled in more than enough to satisfy the needs this day and age.

[SportsTrophy 10]

Obviously everyone on SF has internet access, but what about the people that don't? Local libraries are more than a book shelf with daily newspapers, local activity posters, themed visits, workshops, meeting points, councillor surgeries, laser printers fax machines, internet access, local history etc.

 

If you want to find out what its like for those people give it a go and turn your internet access off for a week. I think empathy is a lost art, especially by councils.

[ECCOnoob 1,016]

I agree there are still those that dont have internet access but realistically how many generations away are we before everyone does.

 

If you dont have it at home you may have moble phone internet access or work access, local colleges, internet cafes, free wi-fi in shopping centres, food courts, cafes, buses and trains, pubs and bars.

 

We really are not long away from it just becoming the norm - automatically hardwired or wi-fi everywhere - with no fuss and no hassle very soon it will be as common and as simple as plugging in to get electricity.

 

I understand that libraries are more than just books but as those aspects become less and less will there really be a need for them to be used for the other community activities mentioned. After all, we still do have local community halls, church halls, scout huts, school halls, local function suites and sports centres which could accommodate those coffee mornings, communtiy groups, neighbourhood watch, specialist interest groups etc.... Those premises will not be required to be open all day every day and thus will need little or no staff outside of the events.

 

As for local history etc I simply do not beleive that local branch libraries contain enough of that sort of thing to make them viable. That would be quite suitably contained in the central library.

 

Im not saying that this is a good thing but realisitcally who can honestly say that they truely regularly use their local library. Where would those figures be in 2, 5, 10 years time. Even this current generation of retirees and early pensioners have touched the commencement of the computer age with most being aware if not fluent in the use of home internet, email, ereaders, ipods etc... Any generations behind that are going to be even more "digitally enhanced" and I simply cannot see where the library system will fit in with that lifestyle.

 

Sad as it is there is simply no place for it anymore. Like the typewriter, microfiche machine, telex and flared trousers local branch libraries should be consigned to history and more investment should be made into the more substantial central reference libraries with their properly stocked and comprehensive history articles, archive newspapers, journals and collections.

[espadrille 10]

I agree there are still those that dont have internet access but realistically how many generations away are we before everyone does.

 

If you dont have it at home you may have moble phone internet access or work access, local colleges, internet cafes, free wi-fi in shopping centres, food courts, cafes, buses and trains, pubs and bars.

 

We really are not long away from it just becoming the norm - automatically hardwired or wi-fi everywhere - with no fuss and no hassle very soon it will be as common and as simple as plugging in to get electricity.

 

I understand that libraries are more than just books but as those aspects become less and less will there really be a need for them to be used for the other community activities mentioned. After all, we still do have local community halls, church halls, scout huts, school halls, local function suites and sports centres which could accommodate those coffee mornings, communtiy groups, neighbourhood watch, specialist interest groups etc.... Those premises will not be required to be open all day every day and thus will need little or no staff outside of the events.

 

As for local history etc I simply do not beleive that local branch libraries contain enough of that sort of thing to make them viable. That would be quite suitably contained in the central library.

 

Im not saying that this is a good thing but realisitcally who can honestly say that they truely regularly use their local library. Where would those figures be in 2, 5, 10 years time. Even this current generation of retirees and early pensioners have touched the commencement of the computer age with most being aware if not fluent in the use of home internet, email, ereaders, ipods etc... Any generations behind that are going to be even more "digitally enhanced" and I simply cannot see where the library system will fit in with that lifestyle.

 

Sad as it is there is simply no place for it anymore. Like the typewriter, microfiche machine, telex and flared trousers local branch libraries should be consigned to history and more investment should be made into the more substantial central reference libraries with their properly stocked and comprehensive history articles, archive newspapers, journals and collections.

 

A very good post.

[RichJay 10]

Im not saying that this is a good thing but realisitcally who can honestly say that they truely regularly use their local library. Where would those figures be in 2, 5, 10 years time. Even this current generation of retirees and early pensioners have touched the commencement of the computer age with most being aware if not fluent in the use of home internet, email, ereaders, ipods etc... Any generations behind that are going to be even more "digitally enhanced" and I simply cannot see where the library system will fit in with that lifestyle.

 

I go to my local library about once a week to borrow books to read that aren't available for free on the internet. I also have a kindle.

[SportsTrophy 10]

All businesses and services need to take into account future use to diversify if needed. The council are talking about immediate cuts, not in a generations time. I fully agree that in twenty years libraries will become museums but in the mean time whilst the recession holds and people need a communication lifeline they are an important tool in getting the UK back on its feet.

 

Local people that have a long history in a place with photographs , books and memories often do pass their work onto libraries with some images going back to when photography was invented.

 

I often see lines of school kids with high vis vests on going on a trip to the library, it is probably the highlight of the week for some of them. Where will they go if they close?

Edited August 16, 2012 by SportsTrophy

[espadrille 10]

Here are all Sheffields libraries.

 

https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/libraries/find/all.html

 

Personally I feel that is a lot of libraries. Being able bodied I wouldnt mind having to walk further to a library if my local one closed, but I can see that for people who are disabled this isnt an option.

I do think it is important to get users views. The survey will ask the questions that it needs answers to and they may be pitched in a certain way but to be fair there was an opportunity to add any additional comments if you felt that you had been led to give a specific answer.

I always try to participate in users surveys if I can. After all you cant argue about outcomes if you dont Have Your Say in the first place.

[Anna B 1,401]

The argument is going to go that in the age of the internet we don't need libraries....

 

Which shows how little they understand Libraries and what a boon they are for thousands of people.

 

I can't help thinking though that they are missing a trick or two. Just like they moved into music and video, they need to think of other services they could provide. I'd like to see them doing free courses, and drop in courses, talks, book clubs, writing groups, demonstrations, that sort of thing. I know some already do, but I'd be interested in new ideas.

[sci fi 10]

 

I personally think one central library in each post town/city and maybe a couple of mobile services for the elderly/disabled in more than enough to satisfy the needs this day and age.

 

That's fine as long as you don't complain about the amount of unemployed.

 

It seems to me, the job cuts the more unemployed, at some point it will all break down. Where will we be then, relying on knowledge that has been corrupted, every single bit of online information is open to corruption. The more we rely on e books etc the less money available to the writers. It is a deep dark pit we are heading back into the dark ages, slowly but surely it will all hit the fan.

[Nagel 10]

I have internet access. I use it to search the catalogue and reserve books at Sheffield Libraries.

 

The copy is then located and delivered to my local library who then email me to tell me I can pick it up. It's a great system and anyone with a library card can log in and do the same.

 

Here's the link - http://library.sheffield.gov.uk/uhtbin/webcat