Dear Bellman
On Saturday, I attended a meeting at the Library about a possible move from its current location to Viewmount. Only people who are registered users got an invitation. I am told that on Tuesday, when there was a similar meeting, a number of non-invitees attended, as word had got round.
It was clear from speaking to those involved in this exercise that it was not a consultation—in other words, unless, those in the Library Service agreed, there would not be any opportunity for a “question and answer” session.
This, in my view, was misguided. The Council provoked concern, even outrage, at the closure of the Resource Centre, and will provoke further adverse comment, should the Library be moved to Viewmount. From speaking to a number of people on Saturday, it seems clear that the majority do not favour this move. A number of people think this is a “done deal.” That, in my opinion, is the produce of a mistrust of the Council.
The space in Viewmount is smaller than the current space, and while it is as accessible by public transport, as is the current location, it has the marked disadvantage of being further away from the Town Centre and up an increasingly steeper hill. There may be other disadvantages, such as no facilities for the disabled. If the latter is correct, the Council could be in breach of the relevant legislation. The current building may be in need of repair, but converting Viewmount would not be cost-free and whatever outlay would be incurred could be spent on the present building.
The decision not to consult locals is a mistake. It takes no account of the opinions of those who are not registered users. Large groups of under-school-age children use the Library and while, they would take part in any consultation, the views of their parents are important. Other groups also use the place and some of them may not be registered users. The advantage in being a registered user is the ability to borrow books, but although I am a registered user, I do not often borrow books, but use the Reference Section extensively. Why should my views be more important than that of a non registered user whose views may not be known? The number of registered users is obviously far smaller than the population of Stonehaven and the surrounding area.
Those on the Council should be very wary of deliberately excluding local views. A reference to the Ombudman is not fanciful, as I have reported the Council to the Ombudsman in the past—I have not had my concerns rejected. These references have been made because of a failure by Council officials to answer letters, or to address all the points in a letter. I suspect the Council thought that if they ignored me for long enough I would go away. I did—to the Ombudsman. On one occasion, the Council told the Ombudsman that my letter must have got lost in the post. I hand-delivered my letters!
The Council could do more to “advertise” the Library, because I have come across people who, for example, do not know that the Library has a collection of “The Leader” and its predecessors. Nor do some know that you can access virtually all UK newspapers online, and that there is a good collection of local maps, etc. The staff are, without exception very helpful, especially to those who are not expert computer types. They will, of course, continue in that vein were the Library to move, but that would not be clever move by the Council, who may kid themselves on that they are popular, or at least not unpopular. (I would exclude local councillors from this.) Council offficials need to get out more. Vitriol is not unknown!
Yours etc
Douglas J. Cusine