A letter about the Hillingdon plans highlights the proposed closure of an enquiry desk. The issue of the loss of professional staff- euphemistically called ‘redeployment’ by the council- is also discussed in local papers.
A simplistic more books and nice coffee model is being offered to people. Of course more books is good; but not at [...]

My rather abstract thoughts on the future of libraries, alongside some of my colleagues.

So, why do some librarians seem to value their job, qualifications etc so little?
I think with some it is a genuine desire to be equal and fair handed. Remove barriers. No more professional/paraprofessional.
That said, what message does that send? It is a message often given without any well thought out alternative for training and development. When it [...]

Some things I plan to come back to after the Bank holiday weekend:-

Hillingdon: how significant is the use of ‘ ‘ around qualified, as in ‘qualified’ librarians?
Hillingdon: and since when was a library a retail centre?
Hillingdon: why couldn’t a local coffee shop have been given the opportunity? Why go for the sanctimonious milk peddlers?
Hillingdon: it’s [...]

Initial comment here.
Whilst it is not the case that the primary role of libraries is to provide fiction- much less to support the poor publishers- the place of fiction is a good indicator of attitudes to books in general.
Mr Ezra is wrong in asserting that fiction is of declining  importance. It’s a short step from [...]

Initial report here and the council report here.
If £80k is being diverted from an RFID project to fund the refurb, and the new bookstock is to be funded from savings on consortium purchasing- so no new monies there- where is the other £180k being saved from? Edit Some of the refurb money, 30%, was spent on [...]

Interesting comments on the “Library 2.0 Manifesto” over at the Annoyed Librarian.
Seems like 2.0 isn’t a settled issue. And I agree with a lot of what the AL says on this point. Edit:  though I maintain my commitment to the middle ground. The Manifesto encapsulates some worthwhile ideas, just in a worthy way.
Any library manifesto [...]

The press release is here. No mention of Tim Coates’ role; maybe he’s shy.
Starbucks are a ‘partner’ it seems. Cosy word. What if they decide the partnership isn’t worth it? Or start making demands?
And staff resources will be ‘reorganised’ to extend opening hours it seems. “Reorganised” is an interesting choice of words. Outreach will more [...]

There are still questions over this. The role of Starbucks for one.
Tim Coates  ’should not and could not’ answer questions on the development of a public library service, beyond the council announcement.
Update: Tim has contacted me and explained why he cannot comment, and I accept he has a good reason. He cannot comment as yet.
There [...]

Tim Coates reports on his work with Hillingdon.
Other than the Starbucks thing- the coffee is average and the atmosphere faintly annoying- there seems to be little to complain about. Unless you like RFID.
The proof is to come of course. Money will be saved, we are told; the accounts will prove it. Visitor figures and loan [...]