tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-163514158748049548.post8446420858882588312..comments2024-02-28T16:57:47.055+00:00Comments on Diary of a Donkeybody: I go on a sit-in!Michael Wenhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04756324780596609238noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-163514158748049548.post-53756630195426061062011-02-16T17:19:34.343+00:002011-02-16T17:19:34.343+00:00Maybe the people of Grove could copy Stony Stratfo...Maybe the people of Grove could copy Stony Stratford and empty the library? <br />http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/jan/14/stony-stratford-library-shelves-protestlookatstlshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16624138600581153624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-163514158748049548.post-49440483358617931152011-02-12T11:24:06.952+00:002011-02-12T11:24:06.952+00:00I agree it is shortsighted to close libraries, but...I agree it is shortsighted to close libraries, but while thinking of what people might do when they close, I remembered sometime ago we were out for a walk passing through a small village and noticed in a couple of places a book wrapped in a plastic bag on a garden wall. apparently the locals share books this way - they can 'borrow' a book if they put another in its place. Our church has a large bookshelf that people bring books to and others are free to take.Richard Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13713536222877157924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-163514158748049548.post-84663099727970702682011-02-10T17:55:03.500+00:002011-02-10T17:55:03.500+00:00Here's a rather nice tweet on the subject toda...Here's a rather nice tweet on the subject today:<br />"You can bet George Osborne's nearest library won't be shut. Mainly because it's in the east wing of his house next to the drawing room".Michael Wenhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18111619560360378627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-163514158748049548.post-26698641918226291032011-02-09T22:24:49.653+00:002011-02-09T22:24:49.653+00:00In our area library opening hours are being cut in...In our area library opening hours are being cut in a lot of places as an alternative to actually closing any branches, in the hope that, in the future, they may be able to open for longer hours again. If cuts have to be made that seems quite a sensible way of doing it, although it seems a terribly sad thing to economise on.Patnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-163514158748049548.post-47991183254845548872011-02-08T21:20:29.034+00:002011-02-08T21:20:29.034+00:00This is, I know, an over-simplification - but if y...This is, I know, an over-simplification - but if you have someone being paid, say, £1million a year to run an organisation and you say to him - "We've got to economise!" he doesn't say (if he's human) "Right, I'll halve my salary" - he says "Oh, dear - we'll have to close the outfit". Mr Cameron seems to have the idea "why don't Michael & Brian and a few of their friends get together and run it?" - this as I understand it is the Big Society in action. Years ago it was quite usual for people to do good works without thought of reward - except....oh, well, I won't go into that.Brotherly lovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10380733588125231811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-163514158748049548.post-76580833253267496732011-02-08T20:41:04.808+00:002011-02-08T20:41:04.808+00:00It sounds to me like another example of political ...It sounds to me like another example of political incompetence based on - could it be statistics! I hear of so many "so called" solutions to what are basically cost cutting measures it is difficult to know where to start.<br /><br />In my experience of wandering around the country (as I sometimes do) one of the best places to seek reliable information and facts is the local library.<br /><br />I hear that some libraries in Sheffield are lined up for closure, and guess what they seem to be in areas where they are in my opinion (for what it is worth) most needed. Areas where there are poor levels of literacy, where many households do not have a good selection of books to read and where there may in terms of the Big Society debate be many potential volunteers in future years.<br /><br />It seems to me that some very short-sighted decisions are made by people who are well able to travel independently under their own steam to a good library. <br /><br />Another example of how decisions are made purely on the basis of cost rather than need.<br /><br />RobRobsheffieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11644949287184520419noreply@blogger.com