Too genteel in the library

Published: 24 June, 2010

• THE other night I attended a talk by Rachel Cooke of the Observer at the Heath Library about the problems of the changes made in the borough’s libraries.

She was very nice and intelligent and amusing but I was left feeling deeply unsatisfied by the policy she advocated of writing to MPs or the minister.

Looking round at the audience of grey-haired and white-haired people, mostly ladies – all genteel – I felt even more frustrated, But my exasperation hit the roof when I heard from Tulip Siddiq, the Labour council’s new library chief.

I wrote to her, in response to her statement in the New Journal saying she would hold a library surgery but could not reverse any changes made by the previous administration.

I asked her what was the point in talking to her if she had no intention of reversing the much-hated changes?
What politicians are elected on the basis of not changing their predecessors’ policies?
She replied that some changes were indeed possible.

For instance, she was discussing with one group the possibility of putting up pictures in the library, with another the possibility of rearranging shelving so as to add another table…

Discussing the possibility of adding a table!

What could be a better illustration of how this council has not only eviscerated but humiliated the libraries?

Surely such a matter should be one for the manager of a local library?

Why is a councillor, whose remit includes police, fire, education and hospitals devoting her time to talking about putting a table in a library?

How utterly babyish!

Library groups should have no truck with such patronising and demeaning behaviour.

The problem is, these people are far too genteel.

Did Mike Clarke withdraw his idea of urging people to talk and use mobile phones in libraries because of polite representations?

No! He withdrew it because he was widely ridiculed in the press.

Talking politely to such people is like talking politely to tyrants and expecting that they will be reasonable and ethical because you are.

It is naive and it just confirms their view that they are powerful and grand and library-lovers are humble petitioners who beg for two crumbs and will be thrilled if they get one.

Such people betray their constituents and the work and trust of centuries of enlightenment and democracy.
RHODA KOEING
Roderick Road, NW3