Marek - it is already a Peoples Library! We don't need to risk another thread about a referendum, praise the Lord. We have paid for this service and use it often enough for it to be useful. It's as annoying as when people declare that the NHS is free - it isn't, we have paid for it, it is simply not charged for at the time of use. It is like a pre-paid insurance system.
If the library service is to be reduced there will be protest.............!!!!!
Guest 703- Registered: 30 Jul 2010
- Posts: 2,096
We use the mobile library, in retail terms instead of a self service checkout it's more like having a personal shopper - they find anything we want and deliver it almost to our door the next week
Like Howard with Sainsbury, I've almost stopped using B&Q unless I can't find the item elsewhere because of the self service checkout. Then when I go to Homebase I say I'm going back to B&Q every time I have to run the double glazing sales assault course to get back to the car.
That is so irritating, isn't it?! If I wanted double glazing I would have found someone myself and probably wouldn't plump for a guy hovering by the door of a DYI!
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
We have a great get-out: sorry, grade 2 listed, conservation area. I'm beginning to believe it myself.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Weird Granny Slater
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 7 Jun 2017
- Posts: 2,980
I was idly leafing through various DTC documents while waiting for some paint to dry and came across this statement in support of planning application 17/01452 for 11 flats and retail at Buckland Mill Service Station: 'We are looking forward to reading the new library books this development will bring to Dover Library'.
Intrigued (not least by the thought of anyone at DTC actually reading a book) I found the documents on the DDC planning pages. It turns out that KCC, having assessed the development's impact on service delivery, have concluded that this 'will require mitigation either through the direct provision of infrastructure or the payment of an appropriate financial contribution'. One of the upshots of this is that Dover library's book budget would benefit to the tune of £528.17 over a three-year period. Hurrah!
Is this provision common knowledge?
In any case, though £176.06 annually seems a small sum (and why for only three years?), it is based on 2014 figures (surely there are more up-to-date ones) that estimate the number of 'active borrowers' in Kent as being only some 13.28% of the population. Poor in my view.
But, here's the thing: according to KCC
Dover library's bookstock per 1000 population is significantly below the county average, and both are well below the England and total UK averages.
So, I suggest you get your purchase requests in early, and insist that the book's for Dover library, or they'll put it in Canterbury or, worse, Deal. Then you might get your hands on it before the DTC book club do.
All documents here:
https://planning.dover.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=DCAPR_233830'Pass the cow dung, my dropsy's killing me' - Heraclitus
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
"But, here's the thing: according to KCC Dover library's bookstock per 1000 population is significantly below the county average, and both are well below the England and total UK averages."
I find that very surprising as it always looks well stocked me and one can order any book that is in a Kent library. The previous library we had was dire and closed half day on Wednesday and Saturday.
Guest 1395- Registered: 5 Nov 2014
- Posts: 463
I must admit that I haven't been to the library in years as I ran out of books in there that I wanted to read! Keep thinking about going back but haven't got there yet.
Lew Finnis
Weird Granny Slater- Location: Dover
- Registered: 7 Jun 2017
- Posts: 2,980
'Pass the cow dung, my dropsy's killing me' - Heraclitus
Button
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 22 Jul 2016
- Posts: 3,003
Wow, that's a long, long time - does this mean I get a book for a year? Aerated concrete perchance?
Bob Whysman likes this
(Not my real name.)
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,823
That's a long time and wonder how much needs to be done
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Weird Granny Slater- Location: Dover
- Registered: 7 Jun 2017
- Posts: 2,980
Books are renewing until 13 Nov currently.
No idea what happens if return due between 30 Oct and 13 Nov and renewal not possible. Or how to pick up reserved books.
Will there be as much sleeping space or room for disruptive children to run around pulling books from shelves in Dover Gateway? We need answers to these important questions.
'Pass the cow dung, my dropsy's killing me' - Heraclitus
Captain Haddock
- Location: Marlinspike Hall
- Registered: 8 Oct 2012
- Posts: 7,848
Earlier this century (!) I was working in a Secondary School which had its Library, at great cost, refurbished and relaunched as a Learning (sic) Centre.
All books were dumped in a skip over the Summer Holidays, tables and chairs on which some did their homework were replaced by soft furnishing and coffee tables, and a bank of computers provided to 'facilitate learning' which, being much more computer skilled than the school 'tech-monkeys', the students used to access on-line gaming and to search for that elusive Britney Spears SexTape in their lunch hour.
Best of luck with the Library!
"Shall we go, you and I, while we can? Through the transitive nightfall of diamonds"
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,823
I don't know if others have viewed the library , I didn't think it was that bad to need such an uplift.
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Weird Granny Slater- Location: Dover
- Registered: 7 Jun 2017
- Posts: 2,980
Captain Haddock wrote:Best of luck with the Library!
Briefly considered coming over to Deal instead. Quickly decided I couldn't deal with your crackheads, urine-soaked oldies, and bladed yoofs: our staff are much classier.
Matey likes this
'Pass the cow dung, my dropsy's killing me' - Heraclitus
Dover History Pages- Registered: 12 Dec 2020
- Posts: 29
Keith Sansum1 wrote:I don't know if others have viewed the library , I didn't think it was that bad to need such an uplift.
Go take a look and count the buckets in the building complex - it is leaking like a sieve !
Bob Whysman
- Registered: 23 Aug 2013
- Posts: 1,931
Button wrote:Wow, that's a long, long time - does this mean I get a book for a year?
That’s a novel idea!
Button likes this
Do nothing and nothing happens.
Martyn Webster- Registered: 18 Nov 2017
- Posts: 53
"We apologise for any inconvenience caused" !!
victor matcham likes this
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,823
Let's hope it becomes one of the best to visit
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Weird Granny Slater- Location: Dover
- Registered: 7 Jun 2017
- Posts: 2,980
Well, today I visited the temporary library at the Gateway. Not that bad, I suppose, unless you're looking for a book. Mainly popular fiction (including 'family sagas' at the front) and a small section of non-fiction (cookery).
(I was hardly through the door when an excited assistant jumped me, 'Hello, how can I help you today?'. There followed a short conversation in which it transpired that I knew more than her about basic front-office library transactions. I cut it short by reassuring her that I knew what I was doing (true) as I am a qualified librarian (also true).)
I quizzed a very nice man at an information desk and found out that much of the Dover stock is now in storage and inaccessible. If you want a book that's a Dover item, ask at the library for a copy from another branch (if there is one) and, if you flutter your eyelashes or protest very loudly, he'll waive the reservation fee.
The local studies material has largely gone, too. Though I'm assured there are 'some maps' and microfiche.
Any questions, ask a librarian!
'Pass the cow dung, my dropsy's killing me' - Heraclitus
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,823
How long is the works to be at the library ?
Is the works for the better?
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
'Pass the cow dung, my dropsy's killing me' - Heraclitus