Council launches 'fundamental review' of Sheffield's libraries

[Olive 10]

Most of our public libraries have long since stopped being places of scholarship with access to cutting edge scientific reference materials, if they ever were. I won't miss a room full of Harry Potter, Catherine Cookson & Stieg Larsson books. If I wanted one I'd probably download it anyway, much more quickly.

 

The internet is the only place to keep abreast of scientific developments and most science books are out of date by the time they are published. Even in accademic institutions, the internet has very much replaced many library services. The only way to access some journals for "free" is to visit the British Library in London and other public libraries have always been poor at providing access to these. Besides which, those are specialist services best provided by fewer, but more well equipped centralised libraries.

 

Though I have access to a vast wealth of information through my insitutional library, I can't even remember the last time I actually went there and I'm struggling to think why I would even need to.

 

I do agree, a lot of the literature is on the "light" side. Where I find the libarary most useful is in being able to borrow a selection of recreational reading without having to limit yourself to what you can afford to buy. Also useful for local material and stuff like travel guides and OS maps, that you might only need for a few days and never use again.

[alas_alas 10]

Most of our public libraries have long since stopped being places of scholarship with access to cutting edge scientific reference materials, if they ever were. I won't miss a room full of Harry Potter, Catherine Cookson & Stieg Larsson books. If I wanted one I'd probably download it anyway, much more quickly.

...

Though I have access to a vast wealth of information through my insitutional library, I can't even remember the last time I actually went there and I'm struggling to think why I would even need to.

 

Libraries provide more than books, which is why they still serve an important role in today's society.

 

What you lose with your preference for the internet is the social function of a library, its place as a community hub. No other place in our society provides a space where the public are freely invited to receive and share information at their leisure without a profit motive.

 

With the dominance of electronic information and solitary consumption of it will come a need for social engagement - the internet does not service all the functions required of life. Libraries help to meet some of those functions, and it will be a sad day when they are finally extinct, along with the highly trained specialists, librarians, who help to run them.

[fake 10]

I think its inevitable that some will close but by doing so all SCC will be doing is adding more empty/unused buildings to an already stressed city.

 

This is just another example of what happens after the internet takes over.

[Aleksandr 10]

Most of our public libraries have long since stopped being places of scholarship with access to cutting edge scientific reference materials, if they ever were. I won't miss a room full of Harry Potter, Catherine Cookson & Stieg Larsson books. If I wanted one I'd probably download it anyway, much more quickly.

 

The internet is the only place to keep abreast of scientific developments and most science books are out of date by the time they are published. Even in accademic institutions, the internet has very much replaced many library services. The only way to access some journals for "free" is to visit the British Library in London and other public libraries have always been poor at providing access to these. Besides which, those are specialist services best provided by fewer, but more well equipped centralised libraries.

 

Though I have access to a vast wealth of information through my insitutional library, I can't even remember the last time I actually went there and I'm struggling to think why I would even need to.

Perhaps you have amassed a copy of every significant textbook in your subject, and are lucky enough with your privileged access to not require any additional library services, but I work in a field where libraries still yield great wisdom, and where, even after thirty years of endeavour, I find that I still need to go back to a library for some things that aren't available to me on line or in my personal collection. But what of others who do not have what we have? What should they do? Oh, I get it, you're all right Jack, er... Pete, whatever!

[Aleksandr 10]

I think its inevitable that some will close but by doing so all SCC will be doing is adding more empty/unused buildings to an already stressed city.

 

This is just another example of what happens after the internet takes over.

It hasn't taken over at all though, and that's the problem. There are too many people who think that it has, and base policy on this gross and unforgivable misunderstanding!

[wiseroni 10]

Where I live they're building a brand new library. I reckon it's because more elderly people who have had sky and seen all their repeats of repeats of repeats and are sick of all the over the top adverts for 5 minutes also every 10 minutes and are turning back to books. My wife has and I am personally thinking of following her because I too am sick to death of the over the top hype on the news and events programmes on TV these days. We have even got a repeat of the opening Olympic ceremony on TV on Sunday for goodness sake - pathetic!

[jan2002 10]

There is a survey happening at the moment accessable via

https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/libraries/find/Library-Review.html

Perhaps if we give our views we might be listened to

 

Jan

[Benedictine 10]

There is a survey happening at the moment accessable via

https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/libraries/find/Library-Review.html

Perhaps if we give our views we might be listened to

 

Jan

 

Thank you, I have registered my utter disgust over this issue and helpfully suggested that extra funding could come from the 0.001% of multi millionaires/billionaires who got us into this mess and who screw us over regularly.

[Guest sibon]

When you next see Tories/ Lib Dems cheering on cuts to public spending, do remember this thread.

 

This isn't about diversity officers, or grants to one legged muslim lesbian collectives. This is about our way of life.

 

Meanwhile, in another world, bank executives continue to trouser obscene bonuses and big businesses evade taxes.

[Benedictine 10]

When you next see Tories/ Lib Dems cheering on cuts to public spending, do remember this thread.

 

This isn't about diversity officers, or grants to one legged muslim lesbian collectives. This is about our way of life.

 

Meanwhile, in another world, bank executives continue to trouser obscene bonuses and big businesses evade taxes.

 

Absolutely true. Seeing these 'people' cheering cuts to public spending was one of the most disgusting things I have ever seen in my life.

[Mummytwo 10]

What puts me off going to the library is all the computers and dvds/games they have. I'd prefer just books.

[taxman 12]

On the bin thread someone asked why the council hadn't taken up the governments offer of money to retain weekly collections.

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/jul/06/council-cash-weekly-bin-collection

 

The Labour council in Stoke on Trent was the only one to bid for money to return from fortnightly to weekly rubbish pick-ups

 

And they got an answer.