BREAKING NEWS: Nine libraries to be axed across Dorset

5:02pm Thursday 21st July 2011 in Local News

NINE Libraries across Dorset are to be axed.

County Councillors agreed by just one vote–21 to 20– to press ahead with plans to keep 25 libraries open but hand over nine to the community to run.

Libraries in Chickerell, Underhill on Portland, Puddletown, Wool, Burton Bradstock and Charmouth all face closure unless they are taken over by community groups.

See Friday’s Dorset Echo for full story and reaction.

Comments(21)

Baintnarnowee says...
5:35pm Thu 21 Jul 11

...and remember, in the future the others that remain open will cost more per site to run because the top-heavy management will still be "needed" for the libraries to operate "properly". Their wages will be spread over fewer libraries, running costs will be seen to increase and they too will have to close. If even just one library can be operated successfully without the council "managers", then why don't the council put THEM out to graze and reduce the costs of keeping all libraries open?

Ironically, the secure word was "less-wait". Less weight is exactly what the libraries need on their backs

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Wykeite says...
6:00pm Thu 21 Jul 11

Services like our libraries will be much better off being run directly by members of the community instead of the Clowns at County. Road planning is another key area that would be better off in the hands of the community.

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kathryn1 says...
6:03pm Thu 21 Jul 11

Life's little ironies 1: At the time this story appeared, I was driving past Colehill Library (RIP). I made it safely through the first stupid reverse chicane outside the library, but at the second one I narrowly avoided an accident when the oncoming driver, who should've stopped for me, carried on through as though he had right of way. This is not the first near-accident I've had here, and there have been at least 2 accidents. So I've got a suggestion: will DCC please take away their stupid chicanes and leave us our library? It's a fair swop.

Life's little ironies 2: 'Colehill librarians Angela Wheeler and Kathy Warren, based at one of 20 libraries threatened with closure, were congratulated for giving outstanding customer service.' (Echo, 7th March) No good deed goes unpunished, eh?

Life's little ironies 3: £5 million on a replacement library for Dorchester and 9 local libraries axed to save less than £1 million.

Life's little ironies 4: There was an alternative.

Echo, please name the councillors who voted for closures. Then, constituents please vote them out.

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boobooweymouth says...
6:42pm Thu 21 Jul 11

It's the right decision given the financial situation. You can't continue to reduce opening hours and the book fund again and again.

Dorset has more libraries than any other county of its size and that's a luxury we can no longer afford.

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Duckorange says...
6:51pm Thu 21 Jul 11

I hope those councillors who voted to hand these libraries over to volunteers, will be only too happy to give up their time to help. Not just once. Not just when the cameras are there. But every week, forever.

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andena says...
7:24pm Thu 21 Jul 11

Is Easton saved.

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kathryn1 says...
8:50pm Thu 21 Jul 11

Just got the Advertiser through the door, and found a story about Colehill library which is also here:

http://www.bournemou
thecho.co.uk/news/91
32539.Repair_cost_es
timates_put_library_
on_hit_list/

Please read it, because if it's true then it's outrageous to close this library (and is it true for any others?).

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Lizzy Bennett says...
9:54pm Thu 21 Jul 11

Time for some honesty - how many people objecting to closures actually use the libraries? I dont want to see them go, but as I dont use them I dont really have a say in the matter.I would rather see more police on the streets if it all comes down to budgets.

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DorsetEco says...
12:10am Fri 22 Jul 11

Christchurch Library is due to have 2.5 million pounds spent on it to expand it, and in the process close a viable High Street business. This is by dictat of Dorset County Council and much against the will of local people and it will be damaging to the local economy. Once completed, DCC will have taken over a massive 130 feet of High Street frontage which for evermore will be a drain on rate payers. Quietly rethink your plans, divert the funds to the rural libraries essential for those cut off by transport difficulties and save your reputation

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bootedsw says...
1:18am Fri 22 Jul 11

I see puddle town is going its already staffed by volunteers which is the DCC preferred model. Yet some of the libraries are a bit tired. If you go in the library in Poole or Bournemouth town centre and then look at Weymouth or Dorchester they worlds apart.
I feel sorry for the rural libraries wool, corfe, colehill, burton etc as there is not an easy way of getting to a local library unless you have a car. Shame on you DCC.

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Hardy Lass says...
10:17am Fri 22 Jul 11

Bad news all round.

How have DCC found the money to rejuvenate Swanage library ?

How much money will the new library on the Charles street debacle cost?

WHY DON'T RURAL AREAS LIKE WOOL AND PUDDLETOWN MATTER?

WHERE DO THEY SUPPOSE THEY ARE GOING TO GET VOLUNTEERS FROM?

Can those of us who pay huge amounts in Council Tax- like F and G bands have a rate rebate please.

WE do not get much for our money in these rural parts, and we can't even sell our houses because no-one wants to live in such culturally isolated confines either.

For the sum of £800K you are killing off communities and their love of books.

This Conservative led County Council has spent a fortune on consultations be it schools, libraries or waste and minerals.

Shame on you all, I hope the darkest Dorset charms work a treat for you!

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sandwich face says...
10:18am Fri 22 Jul 11

Has anyone thought about the impact on the Library Managers and staff that actually work in the effected Libraries. 9 Libraries potentially closing effects at least 9 people, therefore 9 families. This is about much more than saving the Library service in these effected areas, it's about peoples lives and careers as well as the cummunities that support and use the services.

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3rdAccount says...
10:57am Fri 22 Jul 11

Why do people choose to live in a small town or Village then expect all the same services that you get in larger towns - you cannot have it all ways. If you are not prepeared to travel for extra services then move.

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Hardy Lass says...
11:12am Fri 22 Jul 11

3rdAccount wrote:
Why do people choose to live in a small town or Village then expect all the same services that you get in larger towns - you cannot have it all ways. If you are not prepeared to travel for extra services then move.
What are you talking about?

Where would you be without your milk and fruit and vegetables and locally caught fish.

Now , why DO YOU think we live in villages?

Why are you living in Weymouth - because you are employed there?

The library fiasco, and in particular Wool , will affect neighbouring villages, Chaldon, Bovington, Coombe Keynes, Lulworth, East and West. East Stoke, East Burton, Moreton. and many users who come up over the hill from Preston etc to avoid the outrageous traffic problems in Weymouth!

Stop your glib ignorant nonsense, and find something more encouraging to comment on.

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juscarolyn says...
11:42am Fri 22 Jul 11

The councils money saving action on this is so contentious among local communities, understandably...we'
ve all grown up with our libraries and we want our children to! Here in Underhill, with a library run by the community, the only money saving will be the wage bill of the very nice lady currently employed for the 12 hours of opening per week. With better management of council budgets this should just not be necessary...(please don't anyone tell me that the total council budget is managed well! I know it's a difficult job but systems are inflexible and lack common sense. Money IS mis-managed and wasted and many at the top are overpaid!).

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K9 says...
11:54am Fri 22 Jul 11

sandwich face, the libraries don't exist to employ those nine or more people no matter if their families will suffer due to any job losses. You'll be suggesting next that the council should employ the jobless to dig holes so some more jobless can fill them in.

Libraries used to be private enterprises and should be again. The state is too big and as a country we can no longer afford these luxuries; we don't have an empire sending us its wealth any more.

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Hardy Lass says...
12:13pm Fri 22 Jul 11

http://www.bournemou
thecho.co.uk/news/90
82460.Swanage_librar
y_reopens_after___42
4_000_refurb/

County council community services head Hilary Cox, said: “Library staff are looking forward to welcoming both regular and new users.

“We hope lots of local residents will come along to the open day, not only to enjoy the activities but to see the library’s excellent new facilities.”

Earlier this year county library chiefs faced some criticism from residents, who were forced to queue in the cold to get into the mobile facility.

Now that says it all!

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marabout says...
4:00pm Fri 22 Jul 11

A good decision and the right one. Well done all concerned.

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bootedsw says...
11:35pm Fri 22 Jul 11

marabout wrote:
A good decision and the right one. Well done all concerned.
A bad decision ill thought out and executed. When will DCC wake up from their slumbers and actually see what they are doing to the rural community.

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marabout says...
9:23am Sat 23 Jul 11

bootedsw wrote:
marabout wrote:
A good decision and the right one. Well done all concerned.
A bad decision ill thought out and executed. When will DCC wake up from their slumbers and actually see what they are doing to the rural community.
If you would like to take over the running of your local library then by all means crack on. remember that it is not DCC's responsibility to create, build and develop local communities. It is your responsibility.

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etaoin shrdlu says...
2:24am Mon 25 Jul 11

Judging by the standard of the comments in th'Echo most of the rural population of Dorset are illiterate and therefore do not need libraries. As long as they can turn on telly or grunt a response in the kebab shop they don't need language so why waste money on them? Let's put up more traffic lights (which they don't understand either) and make Dorset a better place.

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