Fears for York's libraries (From York Press)
Get in touch: send your photos, videos, news & views by texting YORK to 80360 or send an email»
Fears for York's libraries
9:58am Tuesday 25th September 2012 in News
By Mark Stead, Political Reporter
YORK’S libraries could be taken out of council control under a potential shake-up, according to opposition councillors.
The Liberal Democrat group on City of York Council has claimed the city’s library service may be transferred into the ownership of a “social enterprise” and that this option will form part of a public consultation to will be launched next week.
The party fears such a move, if implemented, could mean libraries being essentially “privatised” and claimed the plans were being drawn up in private. But the ruling Labour group accused the Lib Dems of “scaremongering”.
York has 14 council-run libraries, as well as the recently-opened Rowntree Park Reading Café, and the Lib Dems said a proposal for the service had been drawn up which would include looking at their potential transfer and how they could generate more income.
Coun Nigel Ayre , Lib Dem spokesman for cultural services, said: “Libraries provide free access to knowledge, information and services for thousands of residents and are an essential hub for a huge range of people.
“We are concerned about any plans to sell off or privatise them. While the social enterprise model has worked with communities running their local pub or shop, Labour need to ensure all possibilities are explored before they rush down this route.”
Coun Ayre also said the proposals had not been subject to scrutiny by opposition councillors and were “progressing quickly behind the scenes”. He said: “If the public don’t want their libraries being removed from public ownership, they need to start telling Labour before it is too late.”
Coun Sonja Crisp , cabinet member for leisure and culture, said residents would get a full say in “what they want from their libraries service in the future”.
She said some of Coun Ayre’s assumptions bore “little resemblance” to the work being undertaken, and said: “His scaremongering could be counterproductive.”
She said details of the consultation would be revealed next week and said it would be a “full and frank debate with the public about how we maintain our excellent service in a climate of reductions to local public services”.
Comments(12)
Despairing Yorkie
says...
11:13am Tue 25 Sep 12
OK, so leaving aside the Press's inability to proof read ("to will be launched"??), his complaint is that this option WILL be part of a public consultation? So, it IS going to be consulted on - at which point Lib Dems will have the opportunity to respond to the idea.
An idea which, incidentally, is agreed policy for the Lib Dems in government - localism and all that. What exactly is his problem? Try taking a bit more water with it Nigel.
There is a debate to be had about this idea, and whether in reality it amounts to "privatisation", and this debate is happening in many places across the country.
As usual the devil will be in the detail not in facile headlines Nigel. Questions such as: what's the financial settlement proposed, will buildings and collections remain in the ownership of the council (as with the museums trust, and with the national museums who all went through this change in the 1980s) or be transferred to the new body, what's the legal status of the proposed new organisation, who's on the board, how will the statutory duties of the library service be safeguarded etc. etc.
These are the issues opposition (and non-"cabinet" Labour) councillors need to scrutinise, not cheap attempts to grab headlines - especially when all you are moaning about is that you haven't been consulted before the consultation has started. I haven't yet been consulted in any of the council consultations due to start in 2014 - because they haven't started yet.
Perhaps we do need to pay councillors better (and have fewer of them) if this is the calibre of people who put up for election? Or have a "none of the above" option on the ballot paper?
Even AndyD
says...
1:27pm Tue 25 Sep 12
So, with that in mind, any changes are important and need to be got right. As things stand though, Nigel Ayre doesn't seem to know any detail and until the consultation begins, cannot judge what is to happen or public reaction. As such, he might be minded not to make a fool of himself (again).
atorycouncil2014
says...
2:34pm Tue 25 Sep 12
Its my suspicion that opposition Councillors are calling Red Sonja's bluff. If she didn't have an open consultation planned she'll be hastily having it rewritten.
As for not knowing anything, Wasn't Cllr Ayre the man in charge of libraries for two years that handed over "the sound model" that Andy D is referring to.
I would be very surprised if he wasn't in the know on something like this. Its probably library staff that have raised concerns in the first place and we know what deaf ears there are in the corridors of power at the Guildhall. Getting their concerns out through a third party would be a common tactic.
That said I doubt very much there will be a consultation just another rubber stamping.
As for the idea, it did work with the museums. I'm not sure about libraries though. I think people will prefer to retain control of their library service rather than have the content and opening hours governed by an outside agency
atorycouncil2014
says...
2:36pm Tue 25 Sep 12
some of Coun Ayre’s assumptions bore “little resemblance”
So the vast majority of it was spot on then
Oncebitten
says...
2:42pm Tue 25 Sep 12
Library services will never be the same as previous and need to move on or face closure. We now live in a world withe-readers ,kindles etc ...and its only a few old romantics that dont/wont use these technology.
Certain libaries should always be kept for future generations...but we have to face it....they are not for the future generations
Newton1
says...
3:02pm Tue 25 Sep 12
A councillor is complaining that he doesn't know what's going in to be in a consultation before it goes out to consultation. So he has speculated on what might be in it.
It might also be saying 'let's build more libraries'. I doubt it, but it might. But there's no point in speculating until it goes public, at which point I assume everyone will have the chance to have their say.
I'm not surprised the Lib Dems have put out a press release on this (anything for a headline) but I am surprised the Press bothered to run it. Slow news day?
atorycouncil2014
says...
3:40pm Tue 25 Sep 12
Newton1 wrote:More Labour councillllors in disguise.
This really is a non-story again.
A councillor is complaining that he doesn't know what's going in to be in a consultation before it goes out to consultation. So he has speculated on what might be in it.
It might also be saying 'let's build more libraries'. I doubt it, but it might. But there's no point in speculating until it goes public, at which point I assume everyone will have the chance to have their say.
I'm not surprised the Lib Dems have put out a press release on this (anything for a headline) but I am surprised the Press bothered to run it. Slow news day?
Answer this question. When since taking over have you or your Holgate masters ever gone out to consultation without making the decision first?
We are right to be concerned because the decision will have been taken already and there will be a farcical few weeks while the decision is rubber stamped.
Even AndyD
says...
3:51pm Tue 25 Sep 12
Oncebitten wrote:They have moved, that is the point and why they are well used. There are internet services, arts and crafts exhibitions, many courses run out of libraries, especially York Explore, good value café, etc.
All political reference and twaddle aside.
Library services will never be the same as previous and need to move on or face closure. We now live in a world withe-readers ,kindles etc ...and its only a few old romantics that dont/wont use these technology.
Certain libaries should always be kept for future generations...but we have to face it....they are not for the future generations
Being totally non-political (for a start both the Libs and Labour have shaped the Explore vision) - I think our libraries are one of the genuine council success stories. And yes, there have been plenty of fiascoes too!
Ichabod76
says...
5:16pm Tue 25 Sep 12
Councillor Crisp should be a Stand Up with jokes like this one
I think we should close them all and give the councillors a pay rise, after all they deserve it ; )
atorycouncil2014
says...
9:06am Wed 26 Sep 12
Even AndyD wrote:Sorry Andy what have Labour done?
Oncebitten wrote:They have moved, that is the point and why they are well used. There are internet services, arts and crafts exhibitions, many courses run out of libraries, especially York Explore, good value café, etc.
All political reference and twaddle aside.
Library services will never be the same as previous and need to move on or face closure. We now live in a world withe-readers ,kindles etc ...and its only a few old romantics that dont/wont use these technology.
Certain libaries should always be kept for future generations...but we have to face it....they are not for the future generations
Being totally non-political (for a start both the Libs and Labour have shaped the Explore vision) - I think our libraries are one of the genuine council success stories. And yes, there have been plenty of fiascoes too!
spiritink
says...
5:21pm Tue 9 Oct 12
Oncebitten wrote:You obviously haven't used a library lately. I was in one of our local libraries last week and was shown how to use an iPad and download e-books from their e-library. You're basing your theories on asumptions and hearsay. Libraries are incredibly vibrant places, for young 'uns and oldies like me. Paperbacks and hardbacks are just a small percentage of what those fantastic community hubs provide. Get with it, stop making fleeting, misguided comments and USE your local library service.
All political reference and twaddle aside. Library services will never be the same as previous and need to move on or face closure. We now live in a world withe-readers ,kindles etc ...and its only a few old romantics that dont/wont use these technology. Certain libaries should always be kept for future generations...but we have to face it....they are not for the future generations
iamspartacus says...
10:17am Tue 25 Sep 12
Then:
"Coun Ayre also said the proposals had not been subject to scrutiny by opposition councillors and were “progressing quickly behind the scenes”. "
Isn't another way of saying this: "there's been no consultation that this option will be in a consultation next week." ?