Would you step up as a library volunteer ..?
THE future of Scarborough’s threatened libraries could be struck another blow after bosses revealed plans to appeal for volunteers to run the service.
County council chiefs unveiled the proposals as they strive to ease a crippling £1.7 million cash chasm.
The move comes after libraries in Scalby, Ayton, Eastfield and Hunmanby received vital reprieves in February following shock proposals to close 24 branches across the county.
Under the new plans, due to be discussed later this month, Scarborough Library, in Vernon Road, would continue to offer its full range of services.
However, this retention would be tempered by Sunday closures and a cutback of staff with existing hours maintained by extra volunteers.
Libraries in Eastfield and Scalby would also keep their existing book stock and IT provision, though professional staffing would be reduced with a focus on voluntary assistance.
Ayton Library and Hunmanby Library would be served by volunteers and partners with regular book updates.
The initial plans on potential closures last year brought heated meetings between council bosses and residents and attracted more than 300 responses to an Evening News campaign to keep the libraries open.
However, Cllr Derek Bastiman, who worked alongside Cllr Andrew Backhouse to fight for Scalby Library’s future, said he was disappointed by the latest proposals.
He said: “The use of volunteers just won’t work and I will be fighting tooth and nail to keep the library going.
“I accept that in rural community areas volunteering does well where libraries are limited in their opening and people can give up a few hours in a day.
“However, Scalby has a thriving community that is constantly growing and its library served by excellent and pleasant staff who go that extra mile for people.
“I would accept a percentage cut across the board but not this and expecting people to go to Scarborough Library is just marginalising them.”
County Cllr Chris Metcalfe, the council’s executive member for the Library and Information Service, added: “We have listened hard during the extensive consultation and we believe the solution we have now put together will help to sustain a vital service while making the necessary savings.”
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Comments
There are 12 comments to this article
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Animalhouse
Saturday, June 4, 2011 at 09:49 AMI agree with you #10. I am looking for work and have many skills that I could take to voluntary roles, but it does not put bread on my table. I do understand how it was said that voluntary work can be seen as training and lead to paid work, but in our current financial climate it doesn't happen as often. Employers and organisations are running with such tight funding that they are unable to fully employ their volunteers. Other employers are quite happy to just keep volunteers going and get their work done free of wage bills.
Bluebird One
Thursday, June 2, 2011 at 10:11 PMPost 10, Your right. tonight on the 6 o'clock news Birmingham Council are shipping jobs over to India........ This is BRITAIN AT IT'S BEST ....... UNDER THE CONDEM GOVERNMENT. CONDEM the WORKERS of Britain. INCREASE OVERSEAS AID BY MILLIONS and take the rug from underneath the people who live ,work, and play and pay tax here. There is something really wrong when this Government ATTACKS our standard of living, we would LOVE to be a penny behind CAMERON AND CLEGG............IDIOTS.
Earth Angel
Thursday, June 2, 2011 at 07:41 PMPeople out there need jobs, they can't afford to work for nothing!
That bloke in the pub
Thursday, June 2, 2011 at 06:36 PMWelcome to the new Tory Britain, as espoused by Cameron and of course our own dear Mr Goodwill. Paid jobs disappear at a rapid rate, but by the grace of our leaders the service to the community can continue, just as long as these volunteers are prepared to do what used to be paid jobs for free. Witness the burgeoning "Friends of...." groups round the town today. And this is just the start.
New Voice
Thursday, June 2, 2011 at 05:18 PMThe press release from NYCC states "the county council has taken full account of the passionate belief of those engaged in the consultation process that savings should be shared across all libraries." Yet the report that they recommend is very far from offering this. The only difference for libraries such as Scalby and Eastfield seems to be that the council is now offering the building as well as IT support but as for staff the report states"an element of “professional” staffing based in the library albeit at a reduced rate than currently provided". Which could mean anything. Hunmanby and Ayton libraries seem to be in the same position as they were before the consultation. This is not what the 1000s of people who filled in consultation papers wanted and the council should not pretend that it is.
Bluebird One
Thursday, June 2, 2011 at 04:17 PMDoing things on the cheap......... while we carry on paying HIGH COUNCIL TAX, a tax which has trebled since 1994. Why don't we as taxpayers insist we want the service?. The high rates of pay paid to CEOs in Councils and public sector services should be cut and monies put toward libraries. I notice today in the SEN a story on people painting shelters...... in my view what the hell is going on, they may feel good but as long as you put yourself forward the council will LOVE you. MILLIONS wasted by SBC over the years and not only Councils but Central Government as well. If Mr Cameron likes the big society then why does he Take everything going?. The answer to that question is clear...... DIY and we will still take you money of you........ but you will feel good., did you get that..........YOU WILL FEEL .... GOOD. PS how much did the extra seating cost at the OAT, I dare say some monies from MR Jeffels office has been made available, or am I wrong?.
steviecav
Thursday, June 2, 2011 at 03:15 PMLibraries deliver a very important service to communities. To write them off as outdated and unnecessary in 'the digital age' is, in my opinion, over simplifying the issue. Able bodied and IT literate people with the means to access and use the internet can download content etc. but today's libraries are a haven for those not fortunate enough to have these opportunities. Large portions of these libraries are dedicated to children's books, large print books and new releases. Non of these have suitable free (unfunded) alternatives. Not forgetting that libraries also provide countless community services such as book clubs and other social activities. It is very possible that libraries cannot offer you, personally, any value and that is probably true. But to not recognise their value to those less fortunate is maybe a bit shortsighted.
badger464
Thursday, June 2, 2011 at 02:45 PMwww.ehow.co.uk Where there's a will there's a way job-description-library-volunteer-manager
markdrum
Thursday, June 2, 2011 at 01:42 PMLibraries have become outdated, just like high street bookshops and record shops. The Russian guy that has just bought Waterstones intends to loan books and have reading area's in store with a coffee shop. He wants to try and make bookshops more dynamic integrated business's. He also has plans to offer people the chance to download music and books onto pc's or e-readers that have an expiry date, like BBC i player, no fines, you just lose access to the content. You can't expect people to loan books when they can buy paperbacks on Amazon for 89p!
Shirley Burnham
Thursday, June 2, 2011 at 01:26 PMExcuse me for posting a comment. Your readers could be interested to find essential information on the Public Libraries News website. Even badger464 might discover that there's a bit more to running a library than just "helping out". The site is informative and objective, so is well worth perusal : http:www.publiclibrariesnews.compvolunteer-run-libraries.html My own view is that without paid frontline staff, libraries will suffer a slow death, but it is of course up to you.
Mick_Haigh
Thursday, June 2, 2011 at 12:07 PMWhat a surprise. Just before recent local elections the local libraries were “saved”, elections over it turns out they haven’t been. I note a local Tory supports Cameron’s Big Society as OK for the rest but not for his constituents. A new form of NIMBY?
badger464
Thursday, June 2, 2011 at 12:00 PMThey may be thriving but are they really a community if no one wants to help out?
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