Cornish libraries closures not this year

Having previously mentioned closures within Cornwall public libraries, the Lanson Boy blog with the headline Cornwall Libraries 'not safe beyond this year'. In the article he writes:-

Cornwall's 29 libraries are not safe beyond the coming financial year. This was the statement made by Council Cabinet Member Joan Symons at today's full council meeting and confirms what Liberal Democrats have been warning for some time - that branches may have to close in order to meet Tory budget needs.

As I have blogged previously, the Council wants to make two sets of savings from the libraries and one stop shops budget. For the coming financial year, the plans are to make savings by moving one stop shops into library buildings and by buying books in a different way.

Why do I do this?

I recently read Jennie Laws Blogpost Why do I do This?, which was a follow up to Woodsiegirls post entitled Careers Advice. Both looked at why they had become librarians and how they had got to this career path. I thought I would add my reasons on becoming a librarian.

Well, I went to Bath Spa University in 1992 to do my BA in History and English. Whilst there I spent a lot of my time working in the library, went to the courses on how to use inter-library loans. I really enjoyed my time there and graduated in 1995. I really wanted to then be a librarian. In 1996 I went to Kingston and worked for an agency and even went for a job interview as a librarian and did not get it. Well, a few more jobs came and went (but nothing like what I wanted). Then in 2004 I worked for a friend as a carer and assisted him on his movie in the USA. Whilst working as a carer I was able to save up to do my Masters Degree in 2005 at City. As part of my degree I had to work within a library. I worked at a public library in Seven sisters as a volunteer for 2 years and really enjoyed it.

Whilst doing my masters I became interested in Web 2.0 and library 2.0. I began blogging whilst doing my degree and have been ever since.

In 2007 I passed my masters and began looking for a job. I got my first paid job working as library assistant in a public library on the Holloway road in October 2007. It was a temporary role, but it was enjoyable to enjoy going into work. In march 2008 I got my present role at an academic library in Bloomsbury.

Although it took me a long time to get the job in a library, I never have regretted it. Its the best job in the world.

Lib Democrats show the decline of UK Public libraries

I have not mentioned public libraries recently (as I don't work in them anymore), but I found via lisjobnet, that Lib Dem culture spokesman Don Foster said a survey showing that 35 branches were lost in the last financial year "demonstrates the severity of the crisis facing library services across the country".

This seems a shame that public libraries are getting so little support (excluding the support of some personages and blogs). Hopefully the powers that be might see that culture is not just football and opera, its allowing the young and old to advance there own minds in a library enviroment, and not in google or second life

Public library survey for masters degree

Sarah Hammond has a questionaire for any public librarians. If you got the time to assist this Masters student please do.