eleutheria

Libraries

This depressing advert was found in the Guardian earlier in the year, and has just risen to the top of a pile of papers. Libraries are changing; no longer boring old places you can go to freely to find some guaranteed peace and quiet - which it may not be possible for you to find anywhere else (particularly in winter, when there is not so much chance to sit outside).

This is clearly happening everywhere, and is very upsetting to the old school trained librarians I meet who are being edged out against the will of the public. One lady told me how people will always ask her, rather than the younger members of staff, if they need to find something out. This is not surprising, not least because the high turnover of new members of staff, and their clear disinterest in the job. Whilst Undercurrent was checking some books out, the new librarian issueing the books was having a loud conversation with a colleague. She said she didn't like being indoors, didn't like the job, and was going to try to find a job doing Outward Bound courses. These same staff are always amazed when you want to take out a book, rather than use the computers!

See previous Cornwall Libraries entry

Interestingly, Private Eye [1116] reported that a trial has been undertaken in Gorleston library to add taking down crime and anti-social behaviour reports to library services. Librarians will also handle lost property inquiries, firearms licence applications and receive driving licences for penalty points; the council officers call this enabling libraries to offer an 'holistic service'.

More sad news is the turning of the British Museum "Great" Hall and Reading Room into a wi-fi zone (can't find anything about this on the web, but it was reported at length and with delight by Radio 4's In Business - and staying in business - programme). The Great Hall is a lost cause already, they can't make it any worse, the architecture guarantees that. However, the Reading Room still survived as a relatively quiet and lovely place to study*. I was in the reading room the other day, and the tap tap tapping from computers is certainly taking over.

* The Reading Room has always been quite intense, rather than tranquil, since I've known it, due to the hum from the Great Hall and the constant flash photography from tourists. It is lovely because of the padded blue leather writing desks, and special book related features, retaining their unexploited mystery.

Posted by Eleutheria at October 12, 2004 11:15 AM