Saving Libraries is a Long-term Project

It is heartening to see so much support for the current campaign to save Headington Library.
Over the past seven years I have been running Friends of Bury Knowle Library, it has often seemed as if only a dozen people cared.
Few if any local councillors were sympathetic or seemed interested in the issue. Many of them approved the suggestion by the City Council to move the library into a shop (to make it more accessible - not of course that they want to sell the valuable premises in Bury Knowle park) and it seemed amazingly difficult to get listed building permission to put in a simple ramp to help disabled people get in. Talking about that went on for years. The prevailing view seemed to be that preserving a Victorian style window here or there was far more important than keeping our library.
We adopted the name Friends of Bury Knowle Library to make it clear that we not only support maintaining a library but believe it should remain where it is in Bury Knowle House.
There are many other issues. Over the past ten years, the county library stocks have been steadily reduced. Older books, most of them expensive hardbacks, have been hastily sold off for a pound or even less, and replaced with videos which can legally be rented out. They begrudge even the cost of keeping books in store when they have not been recently requested. I saw the works of Simon Schama and Antonia Fraser being sold off at jumble-sale prices. When I protested, a librarian picked up one of the books, pulled roughly at its binding and said, "There you are, you see, it's falling apart."
About five years ago, there was an expensive refit of the interior of Bury Knowle library. It was re-decorated and the shelving was all replaced. But there are very few shelves and the design was altered to accommodate fewer books. The same is true of the alterations to the Central Library in Westgate.
Is a library just a building or does it need books?
Another important issue is the quality of librarians. There is no substitute for trained, experienced, professional librarians. When I first moved to Oxford, one of my friends, a graduate, worked at Bury Knowle and was able to pay a mortgage on a small house in East Oxford with the salary. I think she had a lodger in the house but she was definitely on the house ladder. A couple of years ago, I saw an advertisement put out by the council for part-time library helpers, who needed to have only five GCSEs, and would get a very meagre wage. I expressed my concern about this. It appeared to me that library work was being down-graded from a career into low-grade casual work. I was told to mind my own business and not try to "jump up" and make myself a library manager.
In my view, libraries always seemed to work best in the past when they didn't have managers - just proper librarians.
I am hoping that the County Council will see sense and recognize its legal responsibility to maintain a full and comprehensive library service, as required by the 1964 Act. If they try to evade it, I support taking court action, though how it will be financed is yet unknown to me.
Be that as it may, I hope that as a result of this campaign, many more people will become aware of the variety of ongoing threats to the library service, and will get involved with Friends of Bury Knowle Library instead of waiting for a crisis to galvanize them.

Headington Library Read In Saturday 5 February 2011

Several of Headington's finest writers participated today in an event staged by Save Headington Library Group as part of its campaign to fight against the proposed closure of Headington's only local library.
Amongst the writers who participated included novelist and artist Brian Aldiss, Mail on Sunday columnist and writer Peter Hitchens, Mark Thompson, David Boyd Haycock, Mini Grey and Helen Cooper.

  

http://www.oxfordprospect.co.uk/

Letter Writing Templates

Letter  Writing Campaign

We are currently running a letter writing campaign. We hope you will consider writing Cllr Mitchell  a  ‘proper letter’ to complain about the proposed library cuts. Emails are quick and simple to reply to, letters are not. All letters will need a response. We have prepared some letter templates which you might like to use. Letter collection boxes will be found in the foyer of the Library and the Reception at Windmill School if you wish to save the postage. The letter boxes will be collected on Sat 12th Feb. for a mass presentation at a Council Meeting. Please share this with your friends. Thanks for your support Lynda 

Here below a variety of letter templates on which to base a letter to Chris Mitchell County Council Leader of Oxfordshire. They include those writing from the perspective of a young family member, elderly, disabled etc.

Collection boxes in St Andrews and Windmill School foyers until Fr. 11th Feb

Headington Library until Sat. 12th Feb.

Cllr. Keith Mitchell

County Hall

New Road

Oxford

OX1 1ND

February 2011

Dear Cllr. Mitchell,

Re: Proposal to cease funding Headington Library

Your changes to the library services in Oxfordshire mean that as a Headington resident I will be expected to travel to Oxford to use the Central Library. I have mobility problems and journeys into Oxford are something I rarely do. Headington is a wonderful place to live because the bank, post office, supermarket and library are all within such close proximity of each other.

I am sure it was not your intention to cause older people and the disabled distress but that is what your decision has done. I will no longer be able to access books independently and I will no longer be able to benefit from the company and contact the library provides. I know this will cause stress to me and to others. Can you explain how you are going to address my concerns and what your reasons were for targeting Headington?  

Yours sincerely,

Cllr. Keith Mitchell

County Hall

New Road

Oxford

OX1 1ND

February 2011

Dear Cllr. Mitchell,

Re: Proposal to cease funding Headington Library

As a  holder of an over 60s FREE bus pass I am concerned about the number of over 60s who are now going to be making additional journeys into Oxford to  use the Westgate Library.  This measure seems to be saving money which will then be handed over to the local bus companies. Has any assessment been done into the number of library users who are over 60. 

Yours sincerely,

Cllr.  Keith Mitchell

County Hall

New Road

Oxford

OX1 1ND

February 2011

Dear Cllr. Mitchell,

Re: Proposal to cease funding Headington Library

Can I please urge you to reconsider withdrawing funding to Headington Library. The cost of public transport  to Oxford will be too expensive for my family to use the Westgate library on a regular basis. Travelling into Oxford with a pushchair is time consuming and  difficult, often we cannot get on the bus when it stops in Headington because there is already a pushchair on board. Will you be instructing the bus companies to carry more pushchairs per journey? We currently use the library after we have finished playing in the park, it provides us with a pleasurable FREE family outing. 

Yours sincerely

Cllr. Keith Mitchell

County Hall

New Road

Oxford

OX1 1ND

February 2011

Dear Cllr. Mitchell,

Re: Proposal to cease funding Headington Library

I regularly use the library with my toddler when we have been to the park. We Like to sit and look at lots of books and choose the ones we will take home. When the library closes  can you please explain what provision you intend to make to  ensure that pre-school children will be able to get access to books?

Yours sincerely

Cllr.  Keith Mitchell

County Hall

New Road

Oxford

OX1 1ND

February 2011

Dear Cllr. Mitchell,

Re: Proposal to cease funding Headington Library

I am writing to express my concerns about the proposed closure of Headington Library.

In the press it has been stated that you have made assessments of local needs.  I cannot believe that any sections of the Headington community could possibly have thought that travelling to Oxford on public transport or by car was a viable or affordable alternative to using our local library.

Can you please provide me with information concerning the individuals and groups who took part in these consultations.

Yours sincerely,

Cllr. Keith Mitchell

County Hall

New Road

Oxford

OX1 1ND

February 2011

Dear Cllr. Mitchell,

Re: Proposal to cease funding Headington Library

It is my opinion that the proposed changes and restructuring of the Oxfordshire Libraries has been done without due concern for local communities. Especially a large community like Headington with it’s well used library.

·         Social impact on communities loosing there libraries does not justify the financial saving

·         No consideration has been given to the needs of sections of the community living in deprived areas and the housing expansion in  areas like Barton

·         No travel impact assessment  have been carried out about how older people, disabled, children, young families and the unemployed are going to use and afford transport links to the Westgate

·         The Council have displayed a lack of logic around why some libraries have been recommended for closure and not others.

·         Closure of Headington library would mean not only a loss of books but the removal of the only FREE access to computers and the internet locally

 I would appreciate your comments on these matters.

Cllr. Keith Mitchell

County Hall

New Road

Oxford

OX1 1ND

February 2011

Dear Cllr. Mitchell,

Re: Proposal to cease funding Headington Library

Your changes to the library services in Oxfordshire mean that as a Headington resident I will be expected to travel to Oxford to use the Central Library. I have mobility problems and journeys into Oxford are something I rarely do. Headington is a wonderful place to live because the bank, post office, supermarket and library are all within such close proximity of each other.

I am sure it was not your intention to cause older people and the disabled distress but that is what your decision has done. I will no longer be able to access books independently and I will no longer be able to benefit from the company and contact the library provides. I know this will cause stress to me and to others. Can you explain how you are going to address my concerns and what your reasons were for targeting Headington?  

Yours sincerely,

Cllr. Keith Mitchell

County Hall

New Road

Oxford

OX1 1ND

February 2011

Dear Cllr. Mitchell,

Re: Proposal to cease funding Headington Library

Oxford and Oxfordshire have a diverse population. For many there is an excellent quality of life with access to good housing, schooling, leisure and employment opportunities. For others there is unemployment, low skills level, poor housing, anti-social behaviour. The restructuring will mean it is harder for people to escape their social class and have aspirations for the kind of advancement that reading can provide for them.

Closure of libraries would mean not only a loss of books but the removal of FREE access to computers, internet and information necessary for up skilling people so they can enter the work place, in homes where there are limited resources.

The elderly, disabled and unemployed will have their convenient access to FREE books removed, little consideration being given to the most vulnerable in our communities

Children (of a certain age) can have independent use of local libraries which they will not have when local libraries close

Additional travelling costs and time will affect library use when local libraries close

Adequate library provision at a local level is key to improving educational opportunities and raising standards. The plans show little regard for the needs of children who are already suffering because of the educational cuts, which are having an impact on resources in schools,  in our area with its poor educational attainment

Libraries play an important role in supporting learning and reducing barriers to learning particularly for those pupils who come from disadvantaged backgrounds

Can you please address these points and explain why you have chosen to make the most vulnerable in our community the biggest losers?

Yours sincerely,

Cllr. Keith Mitchell

County Hall

New Road

Oxford

OX1 1ND

February 2011

Dear Cllr. Mitchell,

Re: Proposal to cease funding Headington Library

It is my opinion that the proposed changes and restructuring of the Oxfordshire Libraries has been done without due concern for local communities. Especially a large community like Headington with it’s well used library.

·         Social impact on communities loosing there libraries does not justify the financial saving

·         No consideration has been given to the needs of sections of the community living in deprived areas and the housing expansion in  areas like Barton

·         No travel impact assessment  have been carried out about how older people, disabled, children, young families and the unemployed are going to use and afford transport links to the Westgate

·         The Council have displayed a lack of logic around why some libraries have been recommended for closure and not others.

·         Closure of Headington library would mean not only a loss of books but the removal of the only FREE access to computers and the internet locally

 I would appreciate your comments on these matters.

Flawed Statistics

Some of you may be interested in Martin's letter(below) re the County's flawed statistical approach
Sylvia

Cllr Keith Mitchell
Leader of the Oxfordshire County Council
County Hall
New Road
Oxford
OX1 1ND

Dear Cllr Mitchell

Re. Proposed Library Closures and concerns for manipulative use of statistics

Few sane people are in any doubt as to the need for state budget cuts at this time, and I think that most of us have shown willing to tighten our belts when it comes to reductions in the provision of many state services. Though a regular library user myself, I do not see the libraries as a sacred cow with this respect. However, I do believe that these services should be cut in a transparent and un-manipulative manner which shows respect to all tax-payers. When I attended a Parish Council meeting joined by three representatives from the County Council (Judith Heathcoat, John Jackson and Arash Fateman), back on 9th December 2010, I was disturbed by the strange survey methods used to justify the currently unshakable stance of Oxfordshire County Council – to completely close 20 libraries and leave 23 open.

My work in monitoring and evaluation regularly requires me to make statistical analysis of sociological data, and to do so I must establish a solid foundation of common-sense around which the maths and statistics are anchored. It is essential to establish what ‘units of measure’ best represent the object of the study. Yet this approach seemed wholly lacking in the Oxford County Council survey figures shared by John Jackson in that December meeting. I was astonished to learn that you had carried out a survey of library usage which took no account of the respective size of the library or threshold population that was being surveyed – hence Abingdon library, with a threshold population of around 40,000 people was compared like for like with Kennington Library with a threshold of only a tenth that size. In other words the ‘units of measure’ – which were ‘number of users per hour of library opening’ – were ill-founded and misrepresentative. Of course such a survey will conclude that Abingdon library receives more custom! What else would you expect to discover! Any survey worth its salt must take into account the threshold population or it is not worth the paper it is written on. The stats shared that night stated that Abingdon received an average custom of 130 users per hour of library opening – compared to 17 users per hour of library opening in Kennington. If one were to review the maths such that the equations actually held up to scrutiny, then the figures would be measured using the units ‘number of users per head of threshold population per hour of library opening’ – more of a mouthful, but far more representative of the true picture. If these units were applied to the most recent census figures (2001 census: Abingdon 36,626; Kennington 3,881) then the figures would adjust as follows:

Abingdon library: 3.55 1
Kennington library: 4.38 1

1 = “users per thousand of threshold population per hour of library opening”

By failing to establish a survey method that holds up to scrutiny, I proffer that the council is lying to its constituents by misrepresenting the truth. Whether this is a deliberate act of subterfuge, or simply an act of incompetence, only you can answer. But either way, if false statistics are being used at the heart of the argument for rural/suburban library closures, then it is essential to establish the truth of the matter.

I am a father of two boys under 4 in age who love the local library, and who would rather go to the local library than the swings (and this seemingly through their own choice not mine). I would much rather see our local library remain as a professionally maintained local service than see library functions centralised to Oxford and Abingdon – which I am not going to realistically ‘pop in to’ as I and my four-thousand fellow villagers currently can in Kennington. Therefore I advocate that the 25% cuts are made across the board – recognising that fixed costs will mean that a 25% cut will result in maybe a 30-40% loss of service. This is the only way to ensure that the maximum number of local children will develop a love of books at this critical age before school starts.

Please reconsider the methods you are using to define what makes up an essential library service, and apply your cuts equally across all libraries. We as a community recognise that there will be costs that need to be picked up and are willing to look into ways of addressing such shortfalls – but we can only do so on the foundation of a professionally run library at the heart of our community.

Thanks you for listening.

Yours sincerely,




Martin Hull

A New Letter to the CEO at Oxfordshire County Council Oxford

From: Emma Chamberlain, Barrister

11 Rawlinson Rd

Oxford

0X2 6UE

emma@jmchamberlain.freeserveco.uk

Richard Stevens

County Hall

richard.stevens@oxfordshire.qov.uk

To: Joanna Simons

Chief Executive

Oxfordshire County Council

County Hall

Oxl 1ND

F.A.O.: Nick Graham New Road

Deputy Head of Law and Governance Oxford

Email: nick.qraham@oxfordshire.qov.uk  

OX1 IND

richard.stevens@oxfordshire.qov.uk  

Copies to:

Rt Hon Andrew Smith MP, Oxford East

Nicola Blackwood MP, Oxford West & 2 February 2011

Abingdon

Rt Hon David Cameron MP, Witney

John Howell MP, Henley

Ed Vaizey MP, Wantage

Tony Baldry MP, Banbury

Dear Ms Simons Chief Executive Oxfordshire County Council

Proposals in relation to Oxfordshire libraries: your letter dated 24 January 2011

We write in response to Nick Graham’s letter of 24 January. As you note, at this

stage we are indeed simply requesting clarification and information relating to the

Council’s decisions regarding library provision and the process that is being

undertaken in reaching those decisions. For the avoidance of doubt we write as

Oxfordshire residents. (Richard Stevens is also a County Councillor.)

You will no doubt be aware of the recent judgment handed down by the High Court in

January 2011 holding that certain London councils’ plans to cut funding for voluntary

sector organizations in London was unlawful due to the deeply flawed consultation

process. The High Court quashed all funding cut decisions. It is in everyone’s

interests to avoid a similar situation arising in Oxfordshire.

We are pleased that in addressing the question of library provision you accept that

the Council is bound to conduct a Wirral type assessment. We note your point that

the press release announcing possible library closures contained only “indicative

proposals” and that no decisions have yet been made. You specifically confirm in

point 2 of page 5 of your letter that a Wirral-type assessment of need is currently

being undertaken in accordance with the recommendations of the Wirral Report. We

are pleased that you accept in point 1 that,

local need and... consult fully on its strategic approach to library provision”.

In the light of this statement we find it somewhat surprising that so far only one option

has been proposed. This essentially assumes that it is desirable to have fewer but

larger central hubs in each major conurbation. This is certainly not the only option

and even if it were, naming specific libraries prejudges the assessment of local needs

that must necessarily take place when conducting a review. No doubt the Wirral-type

assessment you are currently engaged in will consider a number of different ways of

“... the Council must properly assess

satisfying local needs while still providing a comprehensive and efficient library

service. For example an alternative option is to retain the existing libraries but

introduce efficiency savings in each. We understand that a great deal of work has

been carried out by local residents on cost-cutting and revenue raising measures

appropriate to individual libraries.

In short, it will be necessary to consider a variety of options and then assess them in

the light of ‘Wirral” factors such as equality and disability impact and the effect on

children and vulnerable persons.

Potential problems

We do, however, have a number of concerns about the process as it is currently

being undertaken. Even if the proposed closure of 20 libraries is indeed

merely a

proposal not a decision, those libraries were named specifically before a proper

assessment of local needs had been made and the proposals consulted on. Indeed

it was stated that one of the library buildings concerned had already been earmarked

for an alternative use, a point that must suggest the issue has been pre-judged. No

alternative options of achieving funding cuts were offered. Both these factors must

seriously prejudice the outcome of any proper Wirral type assessment and raise at

least a prima face case that the process is legally flawed.

In the light of your letter we also find it puzzling that ClIr Keith Mitchell’s letter on

library closures in last week’s Oxford Times (“Challenging questions”, 27 January),

appears to state that the period of assessment and review is now over. He states

there that,

all library visits in Oxfordshire. I think that represents a comprehensive and efficient

seivice and satisfies the Mrral judgment [sic].” In other words, in the Leader of the

Council’s view, the decision has now been made.

“The 23 libraries we are able to continue to fund account for 82 per cent of

Legal advice

With regards to your comments on legal advice, legal advice of course is not as such

confidential. Some legal advice is privileged but as you will be aware, advice given

in-house and between departments is not privileged. The ECJ specifically confirmed

that in-house counsel have no right to professional legal privilege in the

Akzo Nobel

ruling issued in September 2010. The ECJ has confirmed that legal advice can only

be privileged where it is connected to the client’s rights of defence and where it

emanates from independent lawyers. In-house legal advice given by you and your

colleagues is not privileged. Advice you have sought from external sources could be

privileged.

Summary

In the light of the above we should therefore be grateful if you could now provide us

with the following:

1. Copies of all in-house legal advice so far given in respect of library closures.

2. Details of other options now being considered and the specific advantages

and disadvantages of each in the light of the Wirral-type factors that need to

be considered.

3. Confirmation that ClIr Mitchell was wrong in his letter to the Oxford Times to

suggest that such an assessment has already occurred and the decision has

been made.

In order to avoid prejudging the issue and to put to rest any suggestion that any

decision could be “tainted” and therefore unlawful we also request that the Council

now withdraw the November press release proposing the closure of specific libraries

and in its place implement a consultation process offering a variety of different

options on library provision/library closures with a Wirral-type assessment of the pros

and cons of each option.

We look forward to hearing from you as a matter of urgency. As before we have

copied this letter to the Oxfordshire MPs and make it available as an open letter to

the wider public.

Yours sincerely

Emma Chamberlain

Richard Stevens

We Love Libraries - video

We Love Libraries - video

Threatened library closures in Somerset inspired Michael Eavis, Maggie Gee, Kate Mosse and Big Issue founder John Bird to join with local residents and the national Save Our Libraries campaign to produce a short film, sending a message to Somerset county council leader Ken Maddock, agitating for their survival

Click here to find your nearest protest on Saturday's Save Our Libraries Day

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/video/2011/feb/01/we-love-libraries-video

LIBRARY AND BUS CUTS SQUEEZE RURAL LIFE

"Oxfordshire’s proposal to close 20 public libraries will hit rural communities already at risk of bus cuts, says the Oxford Group of independent bus passengers’ organisation Bus Users UK."

Hugh Jaeger 1 February 2011

Oxfordshire’s proposal to close 20 public libraries will hit rural communities already at risk of bus cuts, says the Oxford Group of independent bus passengers’ organisation Bus Users UK.  

Oxfordshire says users of libraries to be shut can go to a “hub” library a few miles away.  However, the cost and travelling time to do so will put many people off using libraries.  Bus fares are reasonable for what is in most cases a good service, but it all adds up.  For families the combined cost of bus travel for a parent with two or three school-age children will be particularly high. http://www.oxfordprospect.co.uk/LIBRARY-AND-BUS-CUTS-SQUEEZE-RURAL-LIFE.html