A Librarian

A librarian. Tweets about #volunteers in the #library. Busy pretending everything's going well.

[Public Libraries News @publiclibnews]

Hampshire pushing through with 8 branch closures rather than 10 after consultation https://t.co/Jx7MksNTFj

[Public Libraries News @publiclibnews]

The DCMS apparently failed to notice that public libraries were reopening from yesterday as well as museums, galleries and heritage sites. They’ve been responsible for libraries for 23 years.

[A Librarian @ALibrarian1]

@piggyfeather Indeed it’s not. Suspect we’re looking at some kind of barrier-screen combo like supermarket tills have now, to stop people wandering too close in both front and behind the pods.

[A Librarian @ALibrarian1]

So plans are underway for The Return. Not filled with joy, v mixed messages from 2 area managers who attended the same meeting. Confusing. Must say, am glad about our manager’s approach but worried for the other team.

[A Librarian @ALibrarian1]

So. Libraries closed yesterday. Good. We were meant to be going to work in closed libraries from today. Until the prime minister said don’t. So we didn’t. No one went in, no managers have dared say that’s not ok. Instructions are coming, apparently...

[A Librarian @ALibrarian1]

At last. We’re closing to the public for 3 months after today. Staff still have to be in the libraries though. Doing what, as yet undetermined.

[A Librarian @ALibrarian1]

About 90% of ‘my’ library volunteers aren’t volunteering anymore, because they are 70+ or have health conditions or someone at home who has health issues. I Don’t blame them. I hope they all stay well.

[A Librarian @ALibrarian1]

@WellieWearer Volunteers can do what they like with their library. Staff don’t get a say in what happens in council managed ones.

[A Librarian @ALibrarian1]

Volunteer managed ‘community libraries’ have all closed because they can, to safeguard their volunteers. Part or full staffed branches remain open for business as usual.

[A Librarian @ALibrarian1]

So, some schools have closed already, & our staffed libraries are remaining open as usual. Means gangs of kids aimlessly roaming town & in & out the library like it’s the holidays. Don’t think that was the plan was it?

[A Librarian @ALibrarian1]

Volunteers keep asking whether the libraries will close because of corona virus. Pretty certain we’ll be well into a Walking Dead zombie apocalypse scenario before that’s even considered. I just got authorised to order more hand gel.

[A Librarian @ALibrarian1]

Volunteer gets asked something they’ve no idea about “ooo, ask the librarian I’m just a volunteer”
In collaboration with hq bib services I decide to move some shelves ”oo, I’m just a volunteer but I don’t think you should do that” 🙄#allornothing

[A Librarian @ALibrarian1]

Yes! This thread (read 👆and👇)

[Lousy Librarian @LousyLibrarian]

"Don't librarians worry about their jobs? I mean, don't you just do the exact same thing the internet does?"
"Yes, I really do. Every time someone asks me a question, I embed the answer in seventy pages of ads and garbage. The effort's exhausting, but I find it's worth it."

[A Librarian @ALibrarian1]

@AmbassadorSLG @CILIPSLG @uksla @uksla_london @CILIPinfo @Read4eva @dawnafinch @bcb567 @GreatSchLibs Get the children involved! Arrange a visit to a local public library or bookshop, take photos to show the head if they don’t go with you, get the kids all inspired and excited about how they could update their library back at school.

[Steven Heywood 💙 @StevenHeywood]

@dawnafinch Yep. I see this as an abuse of innovation. We desperately needed developments that freed up staff time because we couldn't fit more staff behind the counter and had huge queues at peak times, instead they got rid of staff and the queues disappeared due to deterioration of service

[Public Libraries News @publiclibnews]

Let’s not mince words. This is a shockingly negative step by Derbyshire. It deliberately reduces ease of use, discriminates against those with poor transport + those not online. Libraries should be making access easier, not worse. This is disgraceful.

[A Librarian @ALibrarian1]

@fabdancinguk Yes. When I was a member I never felt I was actually getting anything real or practical out of it. Just joined because it seemed like you were supposed to, if you were working a library.

[A Librarian @ALibrarian1]

I am not a member of Cilip (was, years ago) but am interested watching how they are tackling the enormous changes within the mood, focus, desire for openness & change, voiced by library workers in recent years. They’ve not moved quickly enough, I think.

[A Librarian @ALibrarian1]

@hollycook Yes. Joined Cilip as a paraprofessional member about 15 years ago, in a flurry of excitement when I got my first lib job, as was recommmended as the done thing. Even then I was never really sure what I was paying for other than a magazine.