I understand that the council has made its decision and the process is merely a smoke screen to make Steves decision easier. Crofton will close and some one will make a profit from a coffee shop with workshops for kids so no library anymore.
I went on the march on Sat and although I arrived after the heckling of the MP/Councillors - it did feel a bit hijacked by the "no cuts at all" campaigners. However it was very good natured while marching - with lots of cars beeping support as we walked and great leafletting happening along the route to explain to passers by what we were marching about.
However, considering it was a march for all five libraries, and that the consultancy meetings have been packed out, 200 seemed a low turnout for a sunny Saturday...but maybe I was just hoping for more!
Although the march was well publicised on the local blogs (here/transportine/deptford dame/greenladywell) when I was talking to local friends and library users they had no idea about it - and might have come if they had known sooner...perhaps more posters and morning/evening station leafletting is needed for the next step (and before anyone asks - yes I'd happily volunteer to help with that)
We just can't let the pressure drop on this issue - or let it be subsumed into the wider (and less realistic) no cuts lobby.
@Fabhat - tell your friends and library users to read local blogs! There's really no excuse not to ;)
I agree it's unfortunate that it should get mixed-up with the no-cuts lobby. I think we need to differentiate between preserving front line services like libraries and opposing all cuts, which are inevitable and not necessarily undesirable.
Nick - I know - they have been reprimanded for the inexcusable lapses of blog reading!
But it just shows that it is dangerous to rely on only one form of communication - to have only concentrated on posters would have been just as bad/worse...
And yes - differentiation of the two protest groups is really important - if the library protest is to be taken seriously.
14 comments:
Its good to see people doing something,instead of going on about the van parking issue.
The two things aren't mutually exclusive.
Mobile Libraries?
I understand that the council has made its decision and the process is merely a smoke screen to make Steves decision easier. Crofton will close and some one will make a profit from a coffee shop with workshops for kids so no library anymore.
Anyone here go on the march & like to feed back?
I'd like to have gone but unfortunately had a prior appointment pretty much right at the time it was taking place!
Transpontine has a write-up and pictures, and I've put smthg brief up on Green Ladywell too.
Thanks for the links - and do I recognise that coffin?
Thanks for the links. 200 people on the march and 20,000 signatures is really impressive.
@Tamsin yes, I believe the coffin was recycled from the train cut protests!
I went on the march on Sat and although I arrived after the heckling of the MP/Councillors - it did feel a bit hijacked by the "no cuts at all" campaigners. However it was very good natured while marching - with lots of cars beeping support as we walked and great leafletting happening along the route to explain to passers by what we were marching about.
However, considering it was a march for all five libraries, and that the consultancy meetings have been packed out, 200 seemed a low turnout for a sunny Saturday...but maybe I was just hoping for more!
Although the march was well publicised on the local blogs (here/transportine/deptford dame/greenladywell) when I was talking to local friends and library users they had no idea about it - and might have come if they had known sooner...perhaps more posters and morning/evening station leafletting is needed for the next step (and before anyone asks - yes I'd happily volunteer to help with that)
We just can't let the pressure drop on this issue - or let it be subsumed into the wider (and less realistic) no cuts lobby.
@Fabhat - tell your friends and library users to read local blogs! There's really no excuse not to ;)
I agree it's unfortunate that it should get mixed-up with the no-cuts lobby. I think we need to differentiate between preserving front line services like libraries and opposing all cuts, which are inevitable and not necessarily undesirable.
Nick - I know - they have been reprimanded for the inexcusable lapses of blog reading!
But it just shows that it is dangerous to rely on only one form of communication - to have only concentrated on posters would have been just as bad/worse...
And yes - differentiation of the two protest groups is really important - if the library protest is to be taken seriously.
Yes, I accept the limitations of BC's reach. Although we are steadily growing, some people still like paper :)
There appears to be a Labour councillor who supports closure but hasn't said so publicly.
According to an eye-witness there was a verbal confrontation behind net curtains.
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