General Discussion
Have you seen this http://new.devon.gov.uk/libraryreview/libraries/dawlish-library/ re Devon CC's proposals for change ?
There is good and bad news for Dawlish. Our library is designated to continue as a "Hub Library" for the County Service. The rub is that 28 libraries across the County may close, and library staff will inevitably lose their jobs.
A library without librarians is a room full of books. Our librarians in Dawlish thrive on being part of a countywide team that supports each other. They learn from each other and work together to continually upgrade and develop this wonderful inheritance of libraries so that it is fit for the needs of each new generation
Please take part in the consultation
I used to have shelves full of books everybody in my house now has a Kindle and the books have gone Librarys will slowly go to less folk use them as technology takes the librarians place.
I have a kindle too, and realise that with Google I have the largest encyclopedia too
But, I think there is no substitute for the creative and imaginative work done by Librarians across the world to open the minds of everyone to the huge array of literature out there. This is especially true for children.
How many times have you been into a library and been tempted by a display to explore a book or literature form that you've never tried before? As bookshops wither on the vine, that will be ever more important
Librarians may end up disappearing, but we'll miss them when they're gone .........
I love the smell of libraries just as I love the smell of bookshops. Must be the paper. And although I'm a book person I haven't used Dawlish library, and nor has any of my family, since we moved here nearly 8 years ago.
I bet you did as a child Lynne, and that this had a huge part in developing a love of books, too bad that for many children this huge advantage in life is going to be removed as their town library closes.
So, Librarians not needed? Great, on that principle we can give every kid a laptop and save on the cost of teachers too.
I find folk don't want to accept technologies of the future, books will be a thing of the past, kids will be tought by computerised robots we will have cars you program to go from A to B. My Chidren are avid readers but all use Kindles, books in their lives are all ready a thing of the past if they need a book to study for GCSE they dont borrow it from the library they download it. History is full of examples of new tecknology destroying jobs from the Steam Engine to robots making cars, and the library will close it may be kept going by a few who believe we cant live without out but it will go and the Ebook will take over. I dont believe there is a differance beetween a paper produced book and a ebook same text same story whats so special about books its a bit like Encyclopedia Brittanica i purchased a set for £3,625 20 yrs ago nice leather looked great but where never used i thought at the time a investment for my childrens future you can now download brittanica for 99p i rest my case.
But...........you are all basing your views on living in Dawlish. My job involves coming into contact with many disadvantaged children and families who cannot afford a computer let alone the cost of connecting to the internet on a weekly or monthly basis and for those families their only access to books, DVDs, CDs and other resources is the local library! I also know of many retired people living on low pensions for whom the library is their only source of reading material, and these people live in Dawlish! It's fine for wealthy pensioners who have iPads and Kindles but not everyone is able to afford such technology and when they can't then the library, or Hub, or Devon Centre, call it what you like, is their life line to good quality reading, viewing and listening material. We have to keep this service for those who cannot afford the alternative and that is why the libraries came into existence in the first place.
I hear you loud and clear Margaret. However, with the advent of new technology (not available to all for various reasons I totally agree) I wonder just how much the use of libraries in terms of the borrowing of books has decreased over the years? Is it time for a new name, new brand, tweaked function? I also wonder though how those living in the more rural areas and whose incomes are restricted, how will they be able to access these hubs?
When I hear the word Library I think books. But that it seems is a very old fashioned definition. If they are offering more than books nowadays maybe they need to be called something different?
Just looked up the services provided by Dawlish library - this is what it says.
Services
- Adult and children's books for loan
- Reference and information books and leaflets
- Local Studies materials
- PCs with Internet, email, and word processing/Office
- Music CDs
- Audio Books (Spoken word) CDs
- DVDs
- Language courses
- Requests service - books, music and film
- Photocopier
- Display/exhibition space
- Reading group for blind and partially-sighted people
- Activities and events for children
- Self-service Technology
- Wi-Fi
- Chill out area for young people
- Study space
- Work Club
- New - Free Fridays
- See more at: http://www.devon.gov.uk/dawlish_library#sthash.REMSzknl.dpuf
Anyone who is currently buying electronic books might like to see how they can borrow them instead from the library service.
http://www.devon.gov.uk/index/cultureheritage/libraries/ebooks.htm
Amazon ther perfect solution to your reading and study needs. Devon County has recently cut funding to a organisation providing safe accomodation for battered women i would have rather seen a few librarys go.
firstly, as Margaret rightly states, Amazon only provides your reading needs if you can afford it
secondly, as Lynne rightly states, Libraries provide much more than books
The situation with the Exeter Refuge is not quite as you state. It is closing because the County has removed its contract and placed funding with an organisation that provides support in a different setting. Personally, I am concerned that loss of an actual Refuge is a bad mistake. However the point is that it was a policy change and closing every library in Devon wouldn't affect that.
It would be a bad mistake to assume that Culture is a luxury. The Victorian working class fought hard for many rights, including the opening up of the life enhancing Arts to all. It is part of the common bond that makes us a society rather than an assembly of people living in our boxes, watching our tellies and reading our kindles.
We lose this inheritance at our peril
@Margaret - The saying was that libraries are also the poor person's university - meant in a good way.
Was on FGW and observed that a mum made much good use of a few small animal books and personal animation to keep her one year old amused and busy. What then seemd to trump this interactive personal process and totally transfix the baby was the 'kiddy app' on a mobile the father then gave her to look at. The process of choice starts at a very young age for some!!
For what it's worth, Cornwall's Truro county library has also recently had cut backs, e.g. the magazine selection.
My elderly Father used to go all the way down to the library every week to read the magazines but this healthy routine is now lost. A bit like say changes to bus passes there is perhaps a 'hidden cost' to such 'savings' if it disincentivises the elderly from maintaining healthy routines and generally being more active.
My great niece (aged 2.5 years) paid me a visit yesterday.
I'm thinking of hiring her to show me how to use smartphones etc.
Her ability to find Peppa Pig and similar stories and games suitable for a child of her age on her parents' phones had to be seen to be believed.
My grandchildren love being read a story from a proper book, with colours and pictures and sometimes things that move too!
they also love using computers, iPads, parents phone apps etc. but that is often a solo activity or too stimulating before bedtime.
My elderly grandmother who doesn't have Internet access nor does she want it uses the library regularly, it's a lifeline for her, books and maybe a natter, perfect!
Until such time as the Governement issue every child with a free E reader on starting school which gives them access to all the classics and other good quality reading material free of charge (as is the case for adult E Readers such as Kindle) so every child has access to a wide range and rich source of books to read then we need libraries or Hubs or Devon Centres, call them what you like. We need them for all those young children who live in poverty and do not have access to any reading material outside of the classroom. The same principle applies to older people on fixed incomes and/or low pensions.