Sponsored by
Use of volunteers in Lincolnshire library service draws heavy criticism
THE increasing use of volunteers and plans to cut mobile libraries drew heavy criticism at last week’s Louth Area Committee meeting.
Coun Eddy Poll, executive member for cultural services at Lincolnshire County Council, said the use of volunteers had been a ‘great success’.
“Librarians are trained professionals, we don’t have volunteer fighter pilots,” said one member of the public. “We lose an awful lot if we lose solid professionals.”
Coun Philip Sturman said the public wanted a ‘professional service’.
“Our volunteers have been a great success, giving a huge increase to opening hours at many libraries. But we still have paid staff at all our sites, I don’t see that changing,” said Coun Poll.
Mr Poll said existing buildings like village halls were being used to offer library services in remote villages and revealed he could be forced to cut mobile libraries where there is insufficient demand, but said they would stay where there was ‘no alternative’.
“We need to reduce reliance on mobile libraries, they are not the best use of resources, and many are underused,” he said.
“People need libraries, are you going to put one in every village?” Coun Laura Stephenson asked.
Coun Sturman told Mr Poll: “You’ve cut other services, now you want to cut Louth Library services. I don’t accept your talk.”
“We have to manage a decrease in budget, we have not cut libraries and are the only authority in the country not to close a single one,” said Mr Poll.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Narrow one-way street in Louth leaves lorry driver red faced
- Police release e-fit of suspect after indecent exposure in Mablethorpe
- Video: Anger as Hubbard’s Hills bridge is damaged by ‘boozed up’ vandals
- Fears Louth’s economy is already being hit by controversial car parking charge increases
- Louth school forges a unique link with ‘the new Titanic’
- Mayor’s legacy to local good causes
- Fears Louth’s economy is already being hit by controversial car parking charge increases
- Former Louth swimming pool could flattened and replaced with 29 new homes
- Councillor accuses East Lindsey District Council of abandoning Louth Cattle Market
- ‘Gifted land’ siting former Louth Swimming Pool to be sold off to make way for 29 new houses
- Market Rasen 1971-1980
- ‘We should all be grateful to Margaret Thatcher’ - Local reaction to former Prime Minister’s death
- Narrow one-way street in Louth leaves lorry driver red faced
- Video: Councillor explains why Louth cattle market could be put up for sale
- ‘Extremely rare’ bird spotted on the coast near Louth
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Louth
Thursday 23 May 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 6 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 29 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 7 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 35 mph
Wind direction: North east
