to think that we NEED libraries? This is horrific.

[StuckInTheMiddleWithYou]

Would MN like to run a campaign on this?

www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/terence-blacker/terence-blacker-hands-off-our-public-libraries-2057131.html

I just looked it up - inter library loan cost is £3.50 for me.

Per item presumably? But at least that's a nown cost and definitely cheaper than buying in most cases. Return postage could be anything, like signing a blank cheque. I bet I couldn't order 5 heavy books and only pay £10 towards the return postage.

or even a known cost

Yeah, it was a fairly tenuous analogy, I'll grant you that!

I just don't like the idea of people having to pay for things that they have no intention of using - and it's no use saying that everyone can use a library if they wish...why should they have to??!77

Let the people that use them pay for them and let everyone else pay slightly less in council taxes!!

You might not use them now pascoe but what about when your sight fails as you get older and you canonly read large print and the library is the only place you canget large print books

What about schools? Many people don't have children but their tax goes toward schools, ditto sure start, ditto pot holes for people with no cars.

Re costs, it's free from any library in the county. Not sure about cross county. But only if you do it online, not sure otherwise.

Why would I offer to design a website for somewhere I never use? (why would I design a website at all???)

I can't bear this attitude of 'I don't use them so begrudge paying" They are for the good of the community, a place to read, learn, exchange information, so what if you don't use them Pascoe? That kind of attitude stinks imo.

My son's school-to-be is in a really deprived area. I go in twice a week to hear the children read. At Xmas I gave each of my group a book (the school had a book fair and sold lots at v cheap prices.) Two of the lowest achieving group in Y2 told me they'd never owned a book of their own before. I came home and cried.

I have however seen them and their families at the local library. If you start the argument about only paying for the public services your family use, where does it end? People with no kids pay less? People who don't drive pay less? It could go on forever...

pascoe If someone wants to get fit for free they can - they walk or run. No gym membership needed. If someone wants to read for free they go to the library. porcine tbh you don't sound like someone to whom reading is a big part of your life. I can afford some books, but could not afford the sheer number my family get through. Every elderly person I know, finds the library essential and I believe maintains their mental health and well being.
To increase footfall, it would be good if primary schools could take pupils once a month, and pupils could join while there. Lots of teenagers don't even know where their local library is, but would join up if taken by school. At secondary level I think many of the literacy problems are because many children just don't practise reading enough.
Perhaps other agencies should be located inside libraries too, agencies for advice, local MP, local police surgeries, meeting rooms for hire and so on.

lovelyopaque I read extensively, just not for leisure.

Good idea, Lovelyopaque.

Sorry Porcine, silly suggestion.

I wouldnt have the foggiest how to do a website lol

Porcine, your taxes are not, cannot and should not be ring-fenced for purposes you personally use.

For example, I haven't rung the police in years. Maybe I should pay less council tax?

Some people here are failing to think beyond their own little worlds. They cannot see how libraries benefit society. They don't want to see. Maybe they had a bad experience regarding academic work at school, so now see others reading as some kind of threat?

I can understand that. I was bullied at school so now have a problem with crowds - but I know it's my problem and not that of the crowd.

Oh and I've yet to see evidence that the working classes don't use them. How do you know? How??

I didnt mentiom taxes

" porcine Sun 23-Jan-11 16:54:41

I wouldnt have the foggiest how to do a website lol smile"

Maybe your local library does a course on it? Mine does.

my library knitting and baby massage

Oh yes, that was Pascoe. Sorry pet.

does*

Frankly knitting would be fine and dandy but im at work so its a no go for me.

I really, really wonder at the motivation of people who've got it in for libraries. Really.

Why? Seriously? It's like having an objection to meals on wheels.

I dont think its so much having it in for libraries but seeing that some arent effective or utilised enough to be kept open. If libraries are evolving into social or community centres you have to suggest the original function may not be viable - so why not convert to a communuty centre?

Or.... maybe just leave well alone? Or even start a program encouraging more people to read? Do surveys asking local people what books they'd like to see? You know, maybe have a little hope for the future and humanity in general? Crazy idea...

Maybe it's not viable, so we should make it viable. Just because libraries cost money and don't make it, and not everyone uses them does not mean they don't matter.

Are the suggestions to close certain libraries not based on useage data?