Wednesday 16 March 2011

Practical Action You Can Take

Last week, on 7 March, Greg Clark MP, Minister of State for Decentralisation (seriously) announced that the Government is carrying out a review of statutory duties placed on local authorities by central government.  It wasn't a very loud announcement, I don't think - it had certainly slipped under my radar until yesterday, when Voices for the Library, Alan Gibbons, Katy Wrathwall (one of the CILIP Trustees), Public Libraries News, and others drew attention to it. ETA: a CILIP press release about this was issued on Monday 14 March.

The Dept for Communities and Local Government has drawn up a list of 1,200+ statutory duties that central government currently places on local authorities, the majority of which, they say, arise from primary legislation.  They are asking us, the general public, to comment on these or other statutory duties, and to say which should be kept, and which should be lost.

Three of the 1,200+ duties relate directly to public libraries.  Local authorities are currently required by law (the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964) to provide a 'comprehensive and efficient' library service.  Three duties imposed by this legislation are included in this review.  Removing the legal obligation to provide decent library services could have really serious consequences given the pressure that libraries are facing now when council could, and are, being held to account through legal challenges to their plans.

You can comment on this review via this form. Information about the review, including spreadsheets of all the identified duties (libraries are mentioned in the Excel second file), is available on this DCLG page.  These are the three duties affecting libraries are DCMS:
DCMS_026: Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 Section 1(2)

Duty: To provide information and facilities for the inspection of library premises, stocks, records, as the Secretary of State requires.

Function: Necessary for Secretary of State to fulfil (requirement) to superintend library service (see s1 of PLAMA 1964)

DCMS_027: Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 Section 7

Duty: To provide a comprehensive and efficient library service. In fulfilling this duty, must have particular regard to the matters in s7(2)

Function: Secure provision of local library services

DCMS_028: Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 Section 11

Duty: Supplemental provisions as to transfers of officers, assets and liabilities

Function: Provisions provide, for example, continuity of employment for transferring employees. This secures consistency across library transfers etc and in line with other local authority employment legislation

(This summary copied from the Voices for the Library post
Once you've filled in the form, you can also write to your local MP (find him or her here) (ETA: here's my letter) to voice your opinion on the subject.

To Library Campaigners across North Yorkshire


Last week, the Government announced a review of the statutory duties placed on local authorities by central government. 1294 are currently under review and the Government is asking the public to comment on these duties and “to challenge government on those which you feel are burdensome or no longer needed”. Three of these duties refer to public libraries and the statutory duty to provide a functioning library service.

I would therefore advice you to take part in the informal consultation process and to encourage others to do so too. The link to the questionnaire is here:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GP7BKKTvailable is a duty of central and local government and we need to make sure that the current Government recognises this.

There is more information on this review at the
Voices for the Library website here and also here. These posts include the reference numbers to specific duties that the questionnaire requires of respondents.

Please take part in this and encourage other people to do so too. Making information a

Thank you,

Simon Barron
Voices for the Library

Saturday 5 March 2011

Wednesday 2 March 2011

Bentham - Core Library for West Craven

From: jimmunday@hotmail.com
To: julie.blaisdale@northyorks.gov.uk
CC: cllr.david.ireton@northyorks.gov.uk; derek.law@northyorks.gov.uk; gary.fielding@northyorks.gov.uk
Subject: Bentham - The Core Library for West Craven.
Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2011 12:46:14 +0000


Dear Julie Blaisdale

Bentham - The Core Library for West Craven.

I was pleased to meet you at the recent meeting at Bentham Town Hall. It is always good to put a face to a name.

There is a very strong reasons for retaining Bentham as a core library for this area. The current proposals pick off both the libraries in this area - i.e. Bentham and Ingleton by treating them as separate entities. However if you re-crunch the numbers - combine Bentham and Ingleton libraries as a single unit. Then it is more obvious that Bentham should be designated as a core library to service the needs in West Craven.

If the figures are recast on this basis the case for Bentham as a Core Library is made.

Bentham should be the Core Library to satisfy the legal requirements for an accessible and comprehensive public library service for West Craven. It is easily accessible to the surrounding area by regular bus, train and community transport services. Settle is not. Contrasted with the other market towns you mentioned; they are all nearer to the designated core library and probably have better transport links.

Therefore perhaps this situation can be reconsidered and Bentham designated as a Core Library to service this often forgotten corner of the county.
  
Regards

Yours sincerely  

Jim Munday

Inglefield, 57 Robin Lane,
Bentham,
North Yorkshire LA2 7AG
015242 63152
Mob 0785 498 9936

Date: Wed, 16 Feb 2011 16:41:38 +0000
From: Julie.Blaisdale@northyorks.gov.uk
To: jimmunday@hotmail.com
CC: Cllr.David.Ireton@northyorks.gov.uk; Derek.Law@northyorks.gov.uk; Gary.Fielding@northyorks.gov.uk
Subject: Re: FW: The reasons Bentham should be retained as a Core Library forWest Craven.

Dear Mr Munday

Thank you for your correspondence regarding Bentham library and for your attendance at the meeting to  discuss the library proposals on Monday evening. It was good to meet with you and discuss your
concerns.

Bentham is not the only market town affected by the proposals.
Boroughbridge, Tadcaster, Easingwold and Bedale are also affected.  However, an extra £350k has been restored into the Libraries' budget in order to provide communities such as Bentham with some time to consider how they might work on partnership arrangements with NYCC in order to find solutions that will assist with cost effective outcomes that will deliver the savings whilst, at the same time, maintaining the service in local communities. However, it has to be stressed that the current funding model, ie fully funding all elements of the current library service from mainstream NYCC funding is no longer an option.

As I said at the meeting, the County Council is still out to consultation on its library proposals and your views/comments will be taken on board as part of this process. Thank you for your contribution to the consultation process so far and I look forward to working with yourself and the residents of Bentham on developing a solution that will maintain a library presence in your community.

Kind regards -
Julie Blaisdale

Julie Blaisdale
Assistant Director, Library & Community Services
Adult & Community Services
North Yorkshire County Council
Racecourse Lane
Northallerton
North Yorkshire
DL7 8DD
Tel: 01609 533494

Jim Munday mailto:jimmunday@hotmail.com%3E%2014/02/2011%2014:41%20%3E%3E

Dear Derek Law

I understand that you and Chris Metcalfe have delegated decision making powers  over the Library Consultation proposals.

There would appear to have been an oversight in the proposals regarding the designation of "core libaries".
Bentham is the second largest population centre in Craven and sadly we seem to have been forgotten. Attached is my letter which clearly explains why Bentham should be re-assessed as a core library. I trust
you win be able to designate it as such even if this means that Crosshills or Settle were to close instead.

Regards

Jim Munday
Inglefield, 57 Robin Lane,
Bentham,
North Yorkshire LA2 7AG
015242 63152
Mob 0785 498 9936

Saturday 26 February 2011

Craven District Council Library Consultation response

Council Offices
Granville Street
SKIPTON
North Yorkshire
BD23 1PS

Telephone: 01756 706249
Fax: 01756 706257
e-mail: gcooper@cravendc.gov.uk
Please address correspondence on this matter to:
Gillian Cooper – Strategic Manager,
Legal and Democratic Services
Ref : GC/CW

25th February, 2011

Dear Ms Blaisdale

North Yorkshire Library Consultation

At the meeting of Craven District Council held on 23rd February 2011 Members considered a Notice of Motion asking Council to submit representations opposing the proposed closure of public libraries within the District.  During the course of the debate Members expressed concern at what they considered to be a further erosion in services to the rural community, and also expressed the view that if cuts are to be made in the library service, those cuts should be spread across all libraries in all parts of the County. Council adopted the following motion

“This Council supports the retention of all libraries in Craven, including the mobile library service, and is concerned at the further proposed reduction in services to rural areas. Furthermore, if cuts to the library service are to be made the Council demands equality for the rural areas with the cuts applied fairly and equally across all libraries in North Yorkshire.”

Should you require any clarification of the above submission please do not hesitate to contact Chris Waterhouse, Committee Officer, at the above offices on 01756 706235, or e-mail cwaterhouse@cravendc.gov.uk. I understand individual Members of the Council have already submitted comments in response to the consultation exercise.

Yours sincerely


Gill Cooper
Strategic Manager Legal and Democratic Services

bold highlights added IP

Friday 25 February 2011

Jane Chilton letter to Ed Vaizey

Date: 17 February 2011 20:37:28 GMT
Subject: proposed library closures
Dear Mr Vaisey,
I wish to draw your attention to the consultation ongoing in North Yorkshire at the moment on the reduction in library services.  North Yorkshire proposes either to close 23 of their smaller libraries or turn them into community run libraries.  Both Ingleton and Bentham libraries come into this category of either closure or switch to community status.
Local people already volunteer for many activities in the community. The Tourist Information Service is staffed by volunteers.  Children's playgrounds are run by volunteers as is the local swimming pool.  The population of these two communities is relatively small.  They could not achieve a satisfactory voluntary library service, which would not only involve staffing the library but maintaining the fabric of the buildings and the on costs of running the libraries. At a meeting in Bentham on 14th February the residents rejected the council's proposal for them to consider a community library because of the factors stated above.
The nearest library would then be in Settle, some 11 miles away.  There is no public transport between Bentham and Settle that would enable residents to use that library, and a very limited bus service from Ingleton.  Therefore if both these libraries were to close, those without a car would have no access to a public library.
Your own literature states:
"We would be concerned if libraries were closed, or their services disproportionately reduced, just to save money."
On Wednesday 16th February, the council rejected the opportunity tabled by one of the councillors to debate a motion offering an alternative solution to the cuts in library funding.
I know that you propose a "wait and see" approach to council cutbacks in library services, but it is obvious that the swingeing cutbacks in provision in North Yorkshire are simply about saving money and not about producing a better or more efficient service.
Could you please, therefore, remind North Yorkshire County Council of its duty to
" provide a comprehensive and efficient library service for all persons desiring to make use thereof, . . . "   Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964.
Regards,
Jane Chilton


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: CANNON RYAN <
Ryan.Cannon@culture.gsi.gov.uk>
Date: Wed, Feb 23, 2011 at 3:11 PM
Subject: CMS 166733 Libraries
To: "
niltobychilton@sky.com" <niltobychilton@sky.com>

Dear Ms Chilton
Thank you for your email of 17 February to Ed Vaizey MP expressing your concerns about the proposed closures of libraries by North Yorkshire County Council. Your letter has now been passed on to the libraries’ policy team in the DCMS as they are responsible for monitoring and assessing all correspondence to the Department on library services.
The Government has said its most urgent priority is to tackle the UK's record deficit in order to restore confidence in our economy and support recovery. The reduction in local government resource over the next spending period presents a real challenge and library services cannot be excluded from the cuts authorities are having to make. It may be helpful for some background information to be provided to you on the subject of library services.
The Government is committed to championing the public library service. Libraries can and do contribute to a range of local and national government priorities – for example, they can help people access a whole range of educational materials, find employment or get online  support for any issues such as health and well-being improvement, and work with parents, schools and colleges to support education and learning agendas. All these connections can have positive benefits for communities.
Decisions about library services, both before and after consultation with local communities, are a matter for the local authority in the first instance. The Secretary of State, the Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, has a duty under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 to superintend the delivery of library services by local authorities.
Developments concerning library services across England are being carefully monitored by officials. The Minister for Culture, Ed Vaizey MP, recently wrote to every local authority in England to remind them of their responsibility under the Act to provide a ‘comprehensive and efficient’ library service. In that letter he repeated the key findings from the report of the inquiry that was held in 2009 into proposed closures of libraries by Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council: that when re-organising library services it is important that authorities have a strategy, that they have considered the needs of their local communities and that they have consulted local people.
The closure of a library does not of itself signal an automatic breach of the 1964 Act. Sometimes a library authority will close or consider closing a library to ensure a more efficient service across its geographical area overall and this will be based on a local assessment of library needs. Before reducing the library service to communities local authorities should consider other efficiency options, including some innovative ideas such as - shared services, merging functions or staffing across authorities or public services, and the use of volunteers or of other community buildings.
To help local councils adapt to the current economic challenge, the Minister launched The Future Libraries Programme last summer. This is a joint Museums Libraries and Archive Council (MLA) and Local Government Association Group (LGA) programme which aims to support over 30 participating authorities to explore options that will help them to deliver the front line services communities want and need more efficiently. As it develops, learning from the 10 pilot projects will be shared widely to support non-participating authorities to deliver their services more efficiently too. Further information about the programme is available on the MLA website at http://www.mla.gov.uk/what/programmes/the_future_libraries_programme. The MLA is available to support any authority in developing plans for their library service.
We are aware that many local authority library proposals remain subject to consultation with local communities and that the MLA is in contact with many authorities. Consideration by the Secretary of State of whether or not any statutory powers should be used to assess an authority’s compliance with the 1964 Act will be made on a case-by-case basis and after careful consideration of all relevant facts and local circumstances. 
 Yours sincerely 
 Ryan Cannon
Public Engagement and Recognition Unit
Department for Culture, Media and Sport |2-4 Cockspur Street |London |SW1Y 5DH * Ryan.Cannon@culture.gsi.gov.uk|; www.culture.gov.uk
DCMS aims to improve the quality of life for all through cultural and sporting activities, to support the pursuit of excellence and to champion the tourism, creative and leisure industries.

Tuesday 22 February 2011

Free Books for World Book Night

Free books for World Book Night



      
On Friday March 4th, from 4.00 until 6.00, free books will be given away in Bentham Library in preparation for World Book Night on March 5th, when the aim is for a million free books to be distributed by thousands of givers.

The books to be given away in Bentham are The Reluctant Fundamentalist  by Mohsin Hamid and A Life Like Other People’s by Alan Bennett.


Be there to celebrate and take away your free copies!





Monday 21 February 2011

NYCC meeting and Library solutions 21th Feb

Bentham update – 21st February 2011
At the NYCC meeting in Northallerton on 16th February 2011, the Chairman of the Council did not allow the following motion to be debated, because the consultation period was still in progress:

9. MOTION – CLOSURE OF LIBRARIES
County Councillor John Clark to move and County Councillor John Savage to
second:-
“Free access to books and other sources of information is a cornerstone of a civilised society. The Library Consultation has caused immense unease and foreboding throughout North Yorkshire. In the present financial climate this has to be balanced with the totally unreasonable reduction in government grants to Local Authorities and hence the need for cuts.
The Consultation proposals have left many residents of North Yorkshire with the justified view that the  ‘we are all in it together’ approach does not apply.
Those in the smaller communities are going to bear the brunt of the ‘cuts’ while those in the larger towns are to be left unscathed. This Council therefore resolves that:
i) 6 of the 10 Mobile Libraries will be retained
ii) All the smaller Libraries will be kept open, albeit with reduced hours.
iii) There will be a reduction in the opening hours of the main Libraries.
iv) The proposed Super Mobile Library will not be proceeded with.”

The mover believes that the Chairman should allow this motion to be debated on the day and has provided the following statement of reasons:
Because of:
i) Immense public concern relating to the retention of North Yorkshire County Council Libraries
ii) It is budget related and, therefore, would be more appropriate to be debated at this full Council.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The ny times (the publicity paper from North Yorkshire County Council) in its March edition, out just now, Derek Law, Corporate Director of Adult and Community Services states that: “It is our vision to build on and accelerate the work we have done in communities such as Grassington and Hawes to ensure that individuals are given every opportunity to increase their wider health and well- being and the well -being of their community by participating in the development and delivery of a local library service.”

The Grassington Hub is having to raise £10,000 per year. The consultation does not appear to be about community needs etc, but about getting communities to take on the burden of running their own libraries.

County Councillor Chris Metcalfe, executive member for Adult and Community Services (on leave until 28/2/2011) says in ny news, March edition: “ Since the start of our consultation, we have received many approaches offering possible solutions from North Yorkshire residents and partnership agencies and we are keen to hear from more community groups or individuals who would be prepared to work with us to help provide a library service to their community”.

On page 6 of the ny times publication we are told that “Library solutions are in your hands”.  “Solutions that are already being investigated and will hopefully come to fruition include:
·      A town council taking over the lease of the library building to deliver their services from the building while at the same time maintaining a library
·      Moving the library to an already established public venue, such as an arts centre, where volunteers run the library with support from the County Council or other partners.
·      Establishing a library outlet in a pub where volunteers contribute to the service by delivering books to older people in their own homes.
·      Community groups amalgamating facilities under one roof, for example the tourist information centres, Citizens Advice Bureau, the library, the town council, parish council and district council, thus ensuring that the building remains available for broader community use.”

Saturday 19 February 2011

The reasons Bentham should be retained as a Core Library for West Craven

Dear Julie Blaisdale

The reasons Bentham should be retained as a Core Library for West Craven.

Thank you for your recent letters, regarding the proposed withdrawal of all Library Services from the 7,570 people living in the west of Craven by closing both Bentham and Ingleton libraries. I very much appreciate the time and courtesy of your replies. This is clearly a difficult time for everyone concerned.

There are two good reasons for retaining Bentham as a core library consistent with your policies – firstly Bentham is growing community and secondly it is accessibile from the whole of West Craven.

Bentham is a thriving expanding market town:-

Angus Fire the town's largest employer recently started a £5m investment plan  guaranteeing jobs for the foreseeable future.
     Bentham Auction Market is now the 2nd largest sheep market in Britain
-        Operating 2-3 days a week with support services from- banks, accountants, vets etc.
 
Housing availability will help the population to expand –
-         34 affordable homes have just been completed and there is considerable scope for further new homes without the restrictions common in the National Parks.
 
Bentham is to have a new primary school.
 
Bentham library, although well hidden and little promoted, has more annual visits and significantly lower cost per active user than say Crosshills. Bentham library has a significantly younger user profile than most libraries also guaranteeing future demand.

A core library in Bentham would provide accessible library services to the whole of the west of Craven with regular existing transport links by bus from Ingleton; by train from Clapham and by Little Red Bus from the entire area. Settle however is largely inaccessible from the West of Craven.

Please do not reply to this letter as you are clearly very busy. I trust however that you will review your initial plans to take appropriate action to make Bentham a core library.

Thank you

Yours sincerely  

  
Jim Munday

Bentham Library Protest - press release


BENTHAM LIBRARY    PROTEST  READ-IN   on SAT  5th  FEB

Bentham Library is threatened with closure and the residents of this thriving market town are in fighting mood. Rather than taking up arms, they are taking up their books and organising a “Read-in” on Saturday 5th February .

Support for the campaign is widespread with Alan Bennett, author, playwright and actor, writing specially with his message: “ Closing Libraries is Child Abuse
 and Hilary Mantel, acclaimed author and Booker prize-winner, writing: ”The closure of any public library is deplorable but Bentham is a particularly hard case” and citing the lack of public transport and distance to the proposed “core” libraries in Settle and Skipton. She writes: “ How can it be reasonable or justified to cast communities like this into a cultural desert?”  and

”I implore the local authority to take stock of what will be lost, and think again: be open-minded and give a lead in retaining for communities in North Yorkshire the resources that, in the first place, came from the public purse”.

A local resident says;” North Yorkshire County Council proposals would deny access to library information services to all those living in the far west of the County. This runs contrary to NYCC claim that core libraries should be accessible and  in thriving market towns. Bentham is a thriving market town which boasts the second largest  sheep market in Britain.
We must maintain Bentham as a “core” library:  current proposals make NYCC  inaccessible”

Please support us and join the “read-in “ for a fun morning

For further info ring: Irena Pritchard on 015242  61076
Read-in   Sat 5th  Feb  10am – 1pm at Bentham library, High Bentham  LA2 7JU
on corner of Main St and Robin Lane


PS There will also be a local council- led  public meeting to discuss the future of Bentham  Library with NYCC reps and Library Action group members  on Wed 14th Feb 7pm at Bentham Town Hall (The” ballroom”)  



Big Society Lord Wei

Big society tsar Lord Wei 'doesn't have enough time to perform role'
Man kickstarting volunteering revolution finds working for free three days a week is incompatible with 'having a life'
·         Polly Curtis, Whitehall correspondent
·         guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 1 February 2011 20.07 GMT
·         Article history
Lord Nat Wei has no private income to fall back on, and is cutting his voluntary hours to earn more money and see more of his family. It could become the allegory of the "big society" age. The man appointed by the prime minister to kickstart a revolution in citizen activism is to scale back his hours after discovering that working for free three days a week is incompatible with "having a life".
Lord Wei of Shoreditch, who was given a Tory peerage last year and a desk in the Cabinet Office as the "big society tsar", is to reduce his hours on the project from three days a week to two, to allow him to see his family more and to take on other jobs to pay the bills.
A common criticism of the plans, under which the government hopes thatcommunities will take over the running of local services such as schools and charity projects, is that people don't have time to run a public service on top of holding down a job and seeing their families.
Wei has told friends he is cutting his hours to allow him to earn more money and "have more of a life". He originally worked three full days a week and will now work two days, with the hours split over three, while taking on more non-executive directorships with private companies.
The role is voluntary and Wei had to to give up jobs in the charitable sector when he was appointed to avoid a conflict of interest. Whitehall sources said that when he was invited to take the role he had expected it to be remunerated but was told only the night before that it was a voluntary post and there would be no salary. Other unpaid coalition advisers include Lord Heseltine and the "digital champion" Martha Lane Fox – both millionaires.
Much of Wei's work has focused on how to free ordinary people from the daily grind to give them more time to do voluntary work and involve themselves in their communities under the big society plans. Since taking the post, Wei has had a relatively low profile and there have been suggestions that he has not made enough impact on the public understanding of 'big society'. The scheme is reported to be facing Whitehall resistance and the stretched capacities of local authorities.
Wei, 34, is a former management consultant who has no private income to fall back on. He was one of the founders of the Teach First scheme, then worked for Ark, one of the biggest sponsors of academies, before setting up the Shaftesbury Partnership, a social entrepreneurial company.
A Cabinet Office spokesman suggested that Wei had worked extra hours in the early phase of the programme. "The government remains committed to devolving power to citizens and supporting a big society," he said.

Goverment Dept and other contacts

NYCC
Chief ExecutiveRichard Flinton
North Yorkshire County Council, County Hall, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL7 8AD

NYCC
Corporate Director of Adult and Community Services
Derek Law
North Yorkshire County Council, County Hall, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL7 8AD

NYCC
Councillor Metcalfe holds the Adult Services and Library portfolio
interestingly Councillor Metcalfe is on leave until the end of February 11, while holding the portfolio for Library services

Department of Culture Media and Sport – have a contact us page
www.culture.gov.uk/
The Minister is Jeremy Hunt - huntj@parliament.uk
the junior minister Ed Vaizey - vaizeye@parliament.uk

Department of Communities and Local Government – contact us page
www.communities.gov.uk
The Secretary is Eric Pickles - eric.pickles@communities.gsi.gov.uk

Prime Minister

Julian Smith MP Skipton and Ripon
julian.smith.mp@parliament.uk


NYCC Councillor David Ireton

NYCC Craven Area meeting 10/2/2011 - issues raised

Dear Councillors,
Saving Libraries
North Yorkshire County Council’s  (NYCC) budget needs to be reduced. The reduction appears to be to the services to the public. Are any reductions planned to the management structure of NYCC?
Statistical information on Local Authorities’ (LAs) pay and management indicates, that in 1997 the average number of people in the public sector with salaries above £50,000 was 7, by 2008 the number of people earning above £50,000 increased to 81. In the last 3 years, there has been an increase of 20% in middle management posts in LAs.
We council tax payers, pay for services to be delivered effectively and efficiently. Is this happening?
A Library Consultation has been launched, yet management at NYCC are already saying that they cannot afford to run any more than 18 libraries. What is the consultation about?
The “alternative ways of delivering the service” seems to be a short for libraries run by volunteers. Not only run, but funded as well.
Rural communities always seem to bear the brunt of any cuts. People in rural communities pay the same Council Tax and get very few services for it. Bentham, e.g., pays the highest Council tax in all of Craven. Now the rural communities have been selected for library cuts.  Some, what appears to be strange decisions, have been made about which libraries are closing and which are staying open. In Craven e.g. Crosshills is staying open where the cost per user, according to NYCC statistics, is £35.93 whereas at Bentham it is £26.52. Crosshills is 6.9 miles from nearest Skipton library, whereas Bentham is 11.3 miles from nearest Settle Library, with no direct public transport.
Libraries’ budget, as presented in the Consultation document, does not give any details of how this money is spent. Should we be asking, how much does it cost to run the actual libraries that deliver the service? How much of the budget is spent on non- front line (back office) library costs? Can reductions be made in these costs?  Can the management structure of the library service at NYCC be reduced? Can the supply chain of buying books be reduced? On average a book which cost a Council £1, has actual costs of £20 by the time it has gone through the supply chain.  It is possible to reduce these costs, as all these reductions have been achieved in Hillingdon, London for example.
You have been elected to represent us and secure the services for the communities you are representing. I would like to urge you to take a fresh look at how budgets can be reduced, including the one at County Hall. I would also like you to look at how the library budget can be reduced without closing libraries. I have made few suggestions and would hope that you will give them your consideration.
Yorkshire Post 4th Feb reported
“Senior Councillors of NYCC have stressed that communities need to step in to run their local libraries or face losing the service.”
I sincerely hope, that you are not one of them and that you will do your utmost to make sure rural communities in North Yorkshire do not lose their much valued and needed libraries.
Irena Pritchard – Bentham library users group

NYCC Districts - data

North Yorkshire County Council Districts
Craven District Council   covers 1,177 square km and has a population of 55,500 (mid year 2009 estimates).  
Population density - 47 people/km2, each Library needs to serve an area of 392km2 (a square of 19.8 x 19.8 km)                       
Council Tax Band A ranges from £964 to £1,037.
Closure of 4 Libraries, remaining open 3, each Library serving 18,500 people

Hambleton District Council  covers 1,311 square km and has a population of 87,300 (mid 2009 estimates).

Population density - 67 people/km2, each Library needs to serve 437km2 (a square of 20.9 x 20.9 km)
                                    Council Tax Band A ranges from £950 - £999.
Closure of 3 Libraries, remaining open 3, each Library serving 29,100 people

Harrogate Borough Council  covers 1,308 square km (505 sq miles), with a population of 157,900 (mid year 2009 estimates).  
Population density - 121 people/km2, each Library needs to serve 436km2 (a square of 20.9 x 20.9 km)                                        
Council Tax for Band A ranges from £1,030 to £1,055.
Closure of 5 Libraries, remaining open 3, each Library serving 52,633 people

Richmondshire District Council  covers 1,319 square kms and has a population of 52,800 (mid year 2009 estimate).
Population density - 40 people/km2, each Library needs to serve 660km2 (a square of 25.7 x 25.7 km)
                                                                        Council Tax Band A ranges from £1,012  to £1,069
Closure of 2 Libraries, remaining open 2, each Library serving 26,400 people


Ryedale District Council -      covers 1,507 sq km and has a population of 53,600  (mid year 2009 estimate). 
Population density - 36 people/km2, each Library needs to serve 502km2 (a square of 22.4 x 22.4km)                                           
Council Tax Band A ranges from £1,001 to £1.033
Closure of 2 Libraries, remaining open 3, each Library serving 17,866 people

Scarborough District Council  covers 817 square km and has a population of 108,500 (mid year 2009 estimates).
Population density - 133 people/km2, each Library needs to serve 272km2 (a square of 16.5 x 16.5 km)
                                                                        Council Tax Band A ranges from £1,029 to £1,058.
Closure of 3 Libraries, remaining open 3, each Library serving 36,166 people


Selby District Council            covers an area of 600 sq km and has a population of 82,200 (mid year 2009 estimate).
Population density - 137 people/km2, the Library needs to serve 600km2 (a square of 24.5 x 24.5 km)                                          
Council Tax Band A ranges from £992 to £1,040.
Closure of 3 Libraries, remaining open 1, serving 82,200 people