Hillingdon Liberal Democrats

Making the difference in the London Borough of Hillingdon

Cllr Mike Cox - Gazette Article November 2007

8.58.44am GMT Sun 11th Nov 2007

Hillingdon Council recently invited a Waterstones director to look at our libraries and come up with savings. The report produced aimed to make libraries more like bookshops. A deal was done with a multinational coffee company to sell coffee without any competitive tender.

The changes proposed could cause 13 librarians in Hillingdon to lose their jobs. It has seen Library staff being measured up for uniforms to sell coffee. This has happened without proper consultation of staff, unions or the public.

The administration admits "libraries provide a good service". They just didn't look as good as they should. This is extremely worrying for Librarians. They are not against change, but when this happens without any significant consultation then they and the public have every right to be concerned.

There could be a loss of children's activities at libraries. The coordinated program of reading schemes, activities for babies and children may be jeopardized. Libraries are not just bookshops, they are learning centres.

There were already improvements in progress which looked to bring new users to libraries. These have been hijacked as part of this restructuring. Specialist expertise and experience will be lost. It takes experienced and motivated staff to organize and prepare events.

Once again this administration thinks they know best and anyone who questions them is against them. It's called paranoia. The Library service has been a jewel in Hillingdons crown and probably taken for granted. Its time to modernize our libraries yes! Its also a time to stand up for what is best.

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