However, the leaflet is more of an "information giving" excercise rather than a consultation process because the decision to install new technology and reduce staffed hours has already been passed by the council. The "consultation" is therefore limited, raising more questions than it asks and only allowing for limited 'tick box' answers which are inadequate to get your views across and are not in the spirit of true 'consultation'.
The leaflet explains that the scheme will allow for extra opening hours, unstaffed, by using self-service technology. Access will be to the ground floor only after attending an induction session and pre- registering with proof of identity.
Open+ unstaffed opening times means:
- no access to upstairs meeting rooms
- no access to upstairs facilities
- no acces to upstairs toilets
- no access for under 16s
- no help with PC's
- no staff to answer queries
- no printing or photocopying
- no loan of DVD's
The upstairs meeting rooms and exhibition rooms are well used but there is no mention of how the groups who use them will be affected. For the Civic Society, who has held monthly meetings upstairs for many years, we do not know whether we can continue to do so, no-one has approached us about this. Withdrawal of this facility would have a big impact for our society.
You are asked to select 3 sessions (out of 18 sessions) per week when you prefer the library to be manned but there is no indication how many times a week staff will be available - at other times the library will be self-accessed by scanning your library card and entering a PIN number.
Finally the council wants to know if you think self-service libraries are preferable to closing them altogether! So do let them know your views. If you feel strongly you could drop in to see, or write to, your MP, William Wragg and your 6 local councillors.
There is more information HERE on Marple Website
Respond to the "consulation" on this link HERE
The Consultation closes on 15 December
No comments:
Post a Comment