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July 23, 2019 July2019 No Comments

Dumbing down of library

I am concerned about our local library. 

I believe there are two issues Involved, the first being the siting of a library next to a café in an open plan design and the second is Shirley Nightingale our lovely local librarian 

With the café being placed next to the library it lends itself to library patrons being subjected to annoying intrusive noise. I have heard those say “ah well you get used to it” and I wonder why is it necessary to become accustomed to something such as this.

I love cafes and I love books. When I read I don’t like background noise and it is offensive to find food stains on a book.

Then I miss Shirley manning the library; she brings vibrancy, fun and good recommendations. I wonder if her employers realise what a valuable asset they have in her. She is a great listening ear. 

But I wonder is there a dumbing down of this facility, trying popular appeal because it looks good? We had a letter of support circulating for Shirley and I found quite a few people didn’t like what has been offered them in this centre. They love and support Shirley though.

My next reason is totally selfish, if in dumbing down this service who will make decisions re the purchase of the books?

Shirley was absolutely brilliant in chosing titles to stack the shelves. Children found books to enthral them, a good young adult section, and enough of the popular good reads to satisfy most people. But here is where Shirley came into her own. She had a great cross section of books to extend your knowledge, from climate change to economics, globalization to rewilding, the insidious onslaught of plastic to the increasing gap between rich and poor, animal welfare to quirky detective stories. And the serious literature was not forgotten either. I think she managed a small library budget in a way that deserves approbation.

My favourite bookshop is Unity in Wellington and it was always amazing to find many of the new titles were already on our shelves in the library and I had read them. Are we now to be treated to a reduced diet?

My plea is: Martinborough library needs the return of Shirley.

                                                                                      Glenys Hansen

Where’s Shirley

Where has our librarian gone? When served several weeks ago  I enquired about  Shirley’s absense, I was told that she was on leave but would be back on deck the following Tuesday 

The day arrived but Shirley didn’t, nor has she appeared since. The library is not the same without her helpful, entertaining, experienced presence.

No one seems to know why she is not there. Many people have asked me if I could shed any light on the matter. I can’t but perhaps you can?

Yours in anticipation, Polly Burling

No I can’t Polly, however the Mayor was invited to reply but could not do so as it is ‘an opperational matter’.- Editor.

    

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