‘We can save our libraries’ (From Swindon Advertiser)

‘We can save our libraries’

8:21pm Monday 27th April 2009 in

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SWINDON libraries facing the chop can be saved without closing one library or even shedding a member of staff, according to an independent consultant.

Tim Coates, the author of the Swindon Report, an independent consultation into the possible closure of three Swindon libraries, made the statements yesterday, during a public meeting at the Art’s Centre, in Devizes Road.

In the report he contends Swindon Council has choices when considering how to save the necessary £100,000 out of the library’s budget, rather than its favoured option of staffing Old Town, Even Swindon and Gorse Hill libraries with volunteers.

During his investigation Mr Coates found that Swindon residents pay £23 each for all the libraries’ services, which is one of the highest rates in the country, a figure he believes should translate into the best service – but does not.

It appears they want to cut libraries without looking at the other ways of saving the money.

Tim Coates

The former managing director of Waterstone’s said the possible savings include cutting library overhead costs, which are £790,000 higher than the national average.

He added that cuts could also be made to about £400,000 worth of library management costs, including six senior members of the library management team, five library managers and five assistant library managers, none of whom are front line staff.

He said: “The most shocking thing for me is the knee jerk reaction. It appears they want to cut libraries without looking at the other ways of saving the money.

“If done properly the council could not only save libraries, it could make them better without any cost to the people of Swindon.

“At the moment it’s shockingly bad management.The overhead for one is startling.

“Similar threats are across the country, the battle lines have been drawn in Swindon and campaigners know if they lose this there will be no defence for councils to start doing it everywhere.“ Other fees that could be reduced, he contends, include the library agency and cleaning, and security costs, which currently stand at £246,700.

During the meeting he also complained about eight senior council officers earning more than £100,000 who accepted an eight per cent salary rise and the recent 61 per cent rise in council employees earning more than £50,000.

Walcot library, which was under threat, will be staffed by members of the community shop.

The public consultation ends on June 5, anyone interested in finding out more is asked to visit www.friends ofoldtownlibrary.co.uk.

To take part in the consultation on any of the libraries under threat email Alison Jordan on ajordan@ swindon.gov.uk.