There's going to be a consultation from November until January about the libraries. They need to save money. By may next year a decision will be made.
The libraries could be run by volunteers (would they be trusted with looking at borrowers details on the computer, with a key or the key code?);
My suggestion is to have the library open for volunteers only to only collect reservations, shelving and sorting all of the books. Maybe Wednesday, Friday or Saturday (Saturday is closed until further notice); from 9am until 4pm example. You dont need a paid library assistant for this unless problems with issuing the books on the self service machine.
Library hours could be volunteers do a morning until the library assistant turns up. Limited to certain tasks. For example Thursday 10 until 11.30 volunteer only; then 11.30 until 4.15pm library assistant.
The library of friends could take over the library and run it. You need to have a DSB check and make sure have volunteers who are regular library users and trained properly. I get fed up with books in the wrong place (it trigger something in the past)
Keep on using the library to borrow, reserve and place of safe space.
Wondering where all the money has gone?
Have a spending cap on new books?
Must admit I use the telephone box exchange library which is well used.
I try and use my local libraries, but it's getting more and more difficult, they seem to wait for paperback versions to come out before buying new books, they're making it harder it order and reserve new books, they want to order from other libraries in North Wales before buying a new book, this has meant other libraries being reluctant to lend newer books.
I know public finances are stetched, but this seems to be a deliberate policy to run down library services, by a council that seems to know the price of everything and the value of nothing.
I've also noticed that many charity shops are doing fewer books and not seemingly because of lack of demand or donations.
There's tables of donated books in two of our local supermarkets, I find lots of books from these at a cost of about 50p a book, they're very popular and have a high turnover and raise money for charities.
I try and use my local libraries, but it's getting more and more difficult, they seem to wait for paperback versions to come out before buying new books, they're making it harder it order and reserve new books, they want to order from other libraries in North Wales before buying a new book, this has meant other libraries being reluctant to lend newer books.
I know public finances are stetched, but this seems to be a deliberate policy to run down library services, by a council that seems to know the price of everything and the value of nothing.
I've also noticed that many charity shops are doing fewer books and not seemingly because of lack of demand or donations.
There's tables of donated books in two of our local supermarkets, I find lots of books from these at a cost of about 50p a book, they're very popular and have a high turnover and raise money for charities.
I've also noticed that many charity shops are doing fewer books and not seemingly because of lack of demand or donations.
I had a big bag of books to give to a charity shop recently when I was visiting family in Scotland and there were about half a dozen charity shops on the high street but only 1 would take donations of books.
The others said there was no demand for them and they just took up shelf space, so maybe the Scots are less well read than you.
I did quite a bit of travel up and down the UK last month and I noticed there were far more people using ebook readers compared with physical books, so I think books are going the way of the LP and CD.
I suspect I will eventually get rid of my library and replace it with an ebook reader - it is tremendously practical and even though I like the feel of a physical book, it will save a load of space and you can get almost all ebooks free from places like Libgen if you just want to sample one and decide if it is worth buying.
