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Post by Aldeburgh Library Steering Grp on Mar 4, 2011 9:35:41 GMT
What do you think our approach should be to saving the library? Please give us your ideas.
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Post by Stanley Hoddinot on Mar 4, 2011 9:40:54 GMT
Congratulations on your most impressive action! I am attaching copy of my last nights statement for info (below). I have experienced over 50 odd years in national and local affairs and have been a Royal Borough Committee Chairman. There are two types of Council, (1) Where the Councillors run the Council and (2) in the other the Officers are in control, in which category I place Suffolk County. The Officers wanting a quiet life, the Council has chosen Libraries for some of the cut to avoid confrontation with outside representation. It was in the Senior Officers interests that the Chief Executive should be given such a high salary so that they could all play catch-up!
However, the statement in the act concerning Libraries not to be closed for financial reasons is surely the key to our problem?
As I am in my 90th. year I have not volunteered to serve but if I can assist in any small way please do let me know, and I wish you every success.(no need for a reply)
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As I said at the meeting my approach would be
Whilst Public protests are very visible and attract Media publicity,in my belief they will be largely ignored by the County Council.
To me, the only way forward is by the combined efforts of all Towns with potential Library closure. I would suggest that a meeting of representatives from each such Town should be convened, viable objections agreed, followed by an insistence that there should be a joint meeting with the County Council Chairman and Chief Executive, not with less important officials.
Another tactic would be by insisting that all County Councillors whose Libraries are at risk should oppose any financial saving involving Library closure, hopefully resulting in its rejection.
Stradbrook and Beccles are taking very useful action and steps and we should be influenced by their examples and ally to them.
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Post by patjourdan on Mar 4, 2011 15:33:07 GMT
1 The library has many facilities that are not advertised - for instance, did you know that they can laminate A4 notices? Too much is left to word of mouth. There should be a list of all facilities and events posted on the front door. (I also did not know there was a reading group!)
2 The two literary festivals - one run by Aldeburgh Bookshop in Spring, the other run by the Poetry Trust in November, are surely able to involve the library in their programmes too. These two festivals are internationally famous and bring established authors, publishers and booklovers to Aldeburgh. The reading area of the library could be used for small writing groups or (small) readings or talks. This is feasable, as the library is closed on Saturday afternoons. Hiring fees would be a source of income.
3 Further to the last point, the library could be used on Wednesdays (closed to the public at present) for groups on a hire basis. It is a conveniently sited building and an asset that could be further used. Perhaps the Snape Music festival would find it useful as a small rehearsal space? Musicians have to practise daily!
4 Fortnightly notices, articles, news should be a feature in the Aldeburgh Gazette. What new books have arrived this very week? What CDs, DvDs? How many are going to be on the computer introductory course next week?
5 Where are the local writers in all this? Why don't they do a reading in the library? Why not twin with the Aldeburgh Bookshop, so that when they have a booklaunch there is a second launch in the library in the evening?
6 While wanting to guard every printed word, are all the magazines necessary? How much do they cost in total?
7 What about donating books, especially reference books, if we are not allowed to pay for borrowing? This would be a way of getting round this ruling.
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Post by patjourdan on Mar 8, 2011 15:03:47 GMT
Apparently, we have to find some way of reducing the cost of the library by 30%. The figures from SCC give a grand total of £71,916.
The property costs for rent, rates, insurance, cleaning, was £8,630.
Internet costs were £2,612.
Direct costs including staff were £19,870.
So, that total is £31,112.
Now, 71,916
- 31,112
= 40,804 not accounted for in any detail.
(Leiston's extra is £42,563, Saxmundham is £32,363, Bungay is £68,897)
So, do we have to raise 30% of the grand total of £71,916, or is it 30% of the direct costs of £31,112 ? We have not been given any clue about this.
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