Libraries
Somerset County Branch Submission on volunteers in Somerset Libraries
Staff morale on the frontline - Results of survey.
Email from Hannah Bailey, Assistant National Officer to all Library Contacts 8 August 2011
Email from Hannah Bailey, Assistant National Officer to all Library Contacts 14 July 2011
Agenda items from UNISON for the next JCC on the Monday 23rd June. If you have any additional comments to make about any of the items please do get in touch with the branch office.
Information from your Somerset County UNISON Branch
- New UNISON library steward
- DCMS visit to Somerset / legal challenge - Any update?
- Frozen posts deleted at TAU, SHM and FRO
- Volunteers - Any updates?
- Press release by the BBC on the opening hours
- Staff morale on the frontline
- Time taken on the decision to replace posts with temporary contracts
- Updating the staff manual on audio-visual charges for staff loans
Read the letter from Hannah Bailey Assistant National Officer
High Court challenge to library closures in the West
Legal challenge in support of libraries
Public Interest Lawyers have launched a major legal challenge to the plans of Gloucestershire and Somerset County Councils to slash their
number of public libraries. The action challenges the councils’ reliance on ‘big society’ community-transfer initiatives, arguing that this
conflicts with their statutory duty under the 1964 Public Libraries and Museums Act, as well as criticising the lack of public consultation
and regard for the needs of vulnerable groups in the community. UNISON will be watching the outcome of this important legal challenge closely.
CILIP's Chief Executive puts Boris Johnson
straight
The new Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Librarians and Information Professionals put pen to paper this week to set Boris Johnson
straight on the issue of libraries. Writing his column in the Telegraph, entitled ‘What ski helmets can teach us about keeping libraries open’
he argued that ‘just as skiers must be free to wear what they want, local people must decide on spending priorities’. Johnson’s typically
rambling piece went on to declare that ‘there is no statutory obligation to provide a library service’. Annie’s open letter in response
(link above) was clear on the 1964 Public Libraries and Museums Act and his mistake ‘sorry Boris, but this is just plain wrong’ she countered.
Isle of Wight library strike
As reported last week, colleagues on the Isle of Wight have staged a one day strike in protest at plans to reduce library services on the island.
Messages of support were forwarded to the branch from around the country, with one commenting ‘you are fighting for one of the cornerstones of a
civilised society (rather than the big society) and a service that supports people across all ages, backgrounds and abilities – particularly the
overlooked and ignored’
Libraries Inspire
The Welsh Assembly Government has recently released a consultation document to inform the development of a new strategic framework for Welsh
Libraries over a three year period. Responses from interested stakeholders to a number of set questions are being invited up to 31st March 2011.
People may be interested to know that increased investment has led to a 5.6% increase in public library visitors in Wales in 2009/10, and the
Assembly have recently agreed another years funding for BookStart, which had previously been under threat. If you would like to respond to the
consultation please forward comments onto me (h.bailey@unison.co.uk) for inclusion within our overall response.
Calls for a National Libraries Day
Following on from the national Save Our Libraries day on 5th February, Campaign for the Book organiser Alan Gibbons is gathering support for his
proposal to make the first day in February an annual National Libraries Day. This would give communities an opportunity to celebrate the contribution
which libraries, staff and users make to their local areas and ensure that their importance is not forgotten. If you are in favour of this
proposal, please send me an email – h.bailey@unison.co.uk. If branches are supportive, UNISON will
join calls to make this happen.
Number 10's new head of policy spells trouble for public services
Last week saw the appointment of a new head of policy development, David Kirby, a former KPMG consultant, who has previously provoked the ire
of library staff and activists. Among a raft of measures Kirby is advocating be included in the forthcoming public services white paper, is the
suggestion that ‘public libraries should be run by unpaid volunteers, as in America, or owned by the community’.
The Future of the Library Service Questions for the County Council to consider on 16th February
Questions put to Cabinet February 2011 with replies.The Save Somerset's Libraries petition has now reached 15,000 and counting! It will be presented to the full council meeting on the 16th February by Steve Ross - an excellent library campaigner.
Read the letter from Somerset children's authors to Somerset County Council.
Save Your Libraries - Visit the website and read the leaflet
UNISON Questions put to Cabinet on 2 February
Despite the snow and freezing members protested outside Taunton Library on 18 December and collected signatures for the petition.
Documents for you to print to help in the cappaign to save our libraries:
Read your branch's submission to the Library Review
Library cuts and job losses condemned by leading authors - Read the article in the Guardian