The much heralded new look library has opened in margate's Cecil Square, renamed as the gateway this new establishment is an experimental hybrid half-council offices, half-library and half-arsed. Sorry one half to many, but don't blame me, blame the council.
The first impression you get of the library, as you walk in, is that you must be in the wrong place, as there are large numbers of people milling about, waiting to discuss business with the council. Unlike the previous library, it seems that it has even fewer books than it used to, there appears to be no demarcation between Thanet council's territory and that of the library.
On the upper floor of the library, the reference section, things are a bit better, although the gallery area no longer exists, being a home for a bank of computers presumably dedicated to the Internet.
As you will know the old entrance, has been sealed up and a small little area has been set aside as a displayed area, currently its showing the finalists in the Thanet's is beautiful photography competition, incidentally the signage is very poor and its not clear whether your welcome or not since you have pass by a long line of Thanet residents discussing their private business with junior council dib dobs (sorry "officers").
The first impression you get of the library, as you walk in, is that you must be in the wrong place, as there are large numbers of people milling about, waiting to discuss business with the council. Unlike the previous library, it seems that it has even fewer books than it used to, there appears to be no demarcation between Thanet council's territory and that of the library.
On the upper floor of the library, the reference section, things are a bit better, although the gallery area no longer exists, being a home for a bank of computers presumably dedicated to the Internet.
As you will know the old entrance, has been sealed up and a small little area has been set aside as a displayed area, currently its showing the finalists in the Thanet's is beautiful photography competition, incidentally the signage is very poor and its not clear whether your welcome or not since you have pass by a long line of Thanet residents discussing their private business with junior council dib dobs (sorry "officers").
Still does this work? well if the intention is to keep joe public away from those higher ups, you know those with reserved parking (Mill Lane Carpark), on 35K plus, then yes, since the entrance to the council offices now has signs to the effect of "sling your hook" "get orf o my land" or "trademans entrance next door", I assume they have some security wallah just inside the council offices should some tax payer chance their arm and gain entry to the more exclusive areas.
Not surprisingly the country's most highly paid local authority chief, Kent County Council Chief Executive Peter Gilroy, came out with this to my mind, rather tedious codswallop “Thanet’s Gateway Plus is an effective and simple way for local residents to access a broad range of services and its eagerly anticipated opening marks an exciting development in the regeneration of the town and the beginning of the next phase in rolling Gateways out across the county. I would like to encourage as many people as possible to use the services on offer and to make the most of the expertise of the team that will be on hand to provide information and advice.”
KCC Leader Paul Carter also was in equally inspiring form when he chiped in with “The Gateway programme is a positive initiative that will provide local residents with easy access to a range of public services.”
What we actually have with the Gateway is the death of the public libray system, all the money spent appears to have gone in increasing ground space for the council. To use a word best saved for Bullshit Bingo I don't get the "synergy" between sorting out council tax rebates etc and improving the mind through education or simply finding a good read. What we're pioneering in Margate is a new way to cut spending.
Click here for TDC's version
Click here for KCC'S version
KCC Leader Paul Carter also was in equally inspiring form when he chiped in with “The Gateway programme is a positive initiative that will provide local residents with easy access to a range of public services.”
What we actually have with the Gateway is the death of the public libray system, all the money spent appears to have gone in increasing ground space for the council. To use a word best saved for Bullshit Bingo I don't get the "synergy" between sorting out council tax rebates etc and improving the mind through education or simply finding a good read. What we're pioneering in Margate is a new way to cut spending.
Click here for TDC's version
Click here for KCC'S version
Well TDC never listens to people in Thanet, so this is just another way of alieninating the public further.TDC needs to start LISTENENING to poeple it represents! People are fedup with the way Margate is declining and this Council seems happy to let it decay. Council employees enjoy free parking and should make a contribution towards their free parking, the current cost is 240p per day, each. This money could improve the library!! The Council is happy to put the cost up of Joe public's parking and further draging the very fragile ecomomy of Margate down further..
ReplyDeleteV.TRUE
ReplyDeleteI have a very good access to the internet and at prices like 10p plus postage and packaging (amazon.co.uk second hand books) I'd rather wait three days for a good read then go to the replacement for what was the worst part of the council offices ever (think Queens House, Ramsgate but smaller). The problem is that the library in Margate was basically crap and understocked to start with.
ReplyDeleteMargate Library used to be a great resourceful place-yes it needed a make over but not a take over by the district,it has ruined our great Library..grrr
ReplyDeleteI Absolutly agree with you Tony.IT IS A SHAMBLES
ReplyDeleteWell done TDC, yet another reason not to venture into Central Margate, no decent library, a high st with all the empty shops.If they can't get the basics right, then no regeneration will ever suceeed.
ReplyDeleteJust to say as someone on the inside, Margate library was never crap but had been run into the ground by council idiots who expect every department to be income generators which clearly a public library is not. The library staff have worked incredibly hard for months on this project so as horrible as it might seem to some a little support wouldnt go amiss guys.
ReplyDeletei'm curious as to whether you lot are regular visitors to the library or whether you're just enjoying having something else to add to your moans about the council.
ReplyDeleteI am really shocked by what has gone on here. Libraries are being obliterated right under our noses and if that wasn't bad enough, we are fed a lot of Corporate nonsense about an "improved service".
ReplyDeleteHow can KCC describe this as "improved library services" That is a lie!
There are half the books, a quarter of the dvd's and cd's, it is noisy,cramped, you must fight your way through a line of people queueing for TDC services, there are no categories of books so you have to hunt through everything to find what you want.
No wonder Carter has time to run his own blog. He's obviously doing bugger all else. He's especially not noticing what TDC have done to his library service.
Well Said.
ReplyDeleteFighting thro the queues of applicants etc for other Council services in the library is an absolute disgrace!! And agree the Council is more interested in increased income generation and budget savings and this is accelarating the decay of the town.
ReplyDeleteMy motivation in touching on this subject is Libraries are a fundamental provision in society like a legal system, free education, free health. Its what makes our society, so when penny pinching bureaucrats erode such provision and lavish heaps of bull to mask their deeds, what else can you do but at least comment on it.
ReplyDeleteAnd look at the threat to our museums. My sympathy to those who have to do their best with the council doing their worst.
I write about things that are important to me, yes sometimes its part of middle age angst, but for the most part its about things that could be better run or done. This is a prime example of distortion and propaganda masking actual facts Margate Library has been vandalized in a Land grab by council administrators just like the Mill Lane car park
I'd like to know what happened to that lovely painting that used to be in the foyer of the Library. I've looked all over the refurbed building and no sign. I wonder whose house it is hanging in.
ReplyDeleteSold off to pay for paper clips
ReplyDeleteI must say that the staff at the library as as helpful and polite as ever. I can't fault them. But that doesn't alter the fact that the change is a complete disaster.
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