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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To expect the library to be staffed?

57 replies

girlfriend44 · 18/06/2023 20:23

The latest round of cuts is the library being unstaffed but open.

You let yourself in and out with your card. No staff. I was too scared to go in. It's feels so wrong. Anything could happen with no staff. I didn't feel safe. Would you?

OP posts:
reallypuzzledoverthis · 18/06/2023 20:25

There will be cameras as otherwise the books were updated all get pinched, see what you mean though, it’s a bit piss poor

CaptainMyCaptain · 18/06/2023 20:33

My local library now has only one librarian working there at a time. I expect she feels the same. Bloody cuts.

StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 18/06/2023 20:34

I've had this for years at mine. I'd rather that than reduced opening times. Obviously I'd rather there were no cuts but hey ho.

Dotcheck · 18/06/2023 20:35

That’s really really sad

christmastreefarm · 18/06/2023 20:36

We have unmanned hours at some of hours already - those that are in the local leisure centres. They have just introduced these further let yourself in sessions as well but I have to go for an intro session before I can use it. Have to say though all unmanned hours in ours are in addition to the normal hours. So 7-9am / 6-9 pm on a weekday for example.

Palmtree · 18/06/2023 20:37

What time of day was this?

Foxy1616 · 18/06/2023 20:37

You basically have a choice – the library open, maybe two days a week or open much more but in a self-service mode. Unstaffed libraries all covered by CCTV cameras and have emergency buttons/phones to get backup if needed. I think they are a great idea

PonyPatter44 · 18/06/2023 20:39

I don't think I'd feel unsafe as such, but it would just add to my general low-level rage about this government gutting public services.

Jeannieofthelamp · 18/06/2023 20:40

Normal where I live. Library is staffed for about 30% of the total opening times across the week. It's been like that for years. We're regular users and I've never felt scared. It can feel soulless but not threatening.

Badbudgeter · 18/06/2023 20:40

I actually think it sounds ok. My library is in a community campus though so you go past a manned reception desk to the library/ swimming pool/ gym/ school so at least there’s someone in site.

dottypotter · 18/06/2023 20:40

Foxy1616 · 18/06/2023 20:37

You basically have a choice – the library open, maybe two days a week or open much more but in a self-service mode. Unstaffed libraries all covered by CCTV cameras and have emergency buttons/phones to get backup if needed. I think they are a great idea

A great idea until a woman gets attacked by a man in there and can't get to a Button.

Dreadful idea. I wouldn't feel safe either.

Danikm151 · 18/06/2023 20:43

My local library seems to have too many staff and only 1 that gets up off her bum to help 😂

OrchidOrchard · 18/06/2023 20:44

Inuse my smart library regularly. No issues

gogohmm · 18/06/2023 20:44

Well is it well used? I was on a community panel where I used to live about the future of libraries and in reality the footfall was very low, the main users being homeless people and that put others off - 4 libraries were closed, a second mobile library purchased (because the consultation revealed people couldn't get to the existing libraries) and the homeless day centre was established with multi disciplinary staff including a library, computers, showers etc.

bonfirebash · 18/06/2023 20:44

We shouldn't need it but it would be an idea to have emergency buttons people could carry while they're in there

WandaWonder · 18/06/2023 20:50

Feeling unsafe would not have entered my radar

GottaGirlcrush · 18/06/2023 22:12

They should just close it altogether then

GottaGirlcrush · 18/06/2023 22:13

bonfirebash · 18/06/2023 20:44

We shouldn't need it but it would be an idea to have emergency buttons people could carry while they're in there

To alert whom?

Quveas · 18/06/2023 22:15

You are lucky to have any libraries. Ours mostly closed several years ago.

ApplePlantagenet · 18/06/2023 22:18

They have unmanned hours at a library near me and the first week it started someone did a poo on in the middle of the library. It was caught on cctv.

ApplePlantagenet · 18/06/2023 22:19

*on the floor in the middle of the library. In fact it happened twice in 1 week

bonfirebash · 18/06/2023 22:27

@GottaGirlcrush I guess police or a security company?
But then in the area I live it wouldn't be able to be unmanned because it would be trashed within a day so... nicer areas I imagine you wouldn't need quick help

LittleMissViolet · 18/06/2023 22:44

It's a bit depressing.

Half of our libraries are community libraries run by volunteers. They operate on really short hours and whoever is serving you at the desk never seems to know what they are doing.

Another thing affected by the Tory rot....

Original poster
girlfriend44 · 19/06/2023 14:40

Quveas · 18/06/2023 22:15

You are lucky to have any libraries. Ours mostly closed several years ago.

Not really the point. we need libraries, lots of good community stuff goes on in there, question was would you feel ok with no staff around if anything happened?

OP posts:
GottaGirlcrush · 19/06/2023 23:40

They should be closed, they've had their day

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