Nice People 13: Nice Save

Nikkster

PasturesNew wrote: »

No, that's my speshulness shining through, where I miscommunicate and p155 people off without realising
Although I know I didn't just p155 you off... but "other people" would now be ranting about me online about how rude I was

I was joking (hence the rotfl smiley) So it says more about my poor sense of humour

I'll definitely treat us to a G+T next time I'm over. Might even go so far as to ask for cucumber

Nikkster

PasturesNew wrote: »

Now you'll have started Michaels off.... expect PMs soon.

Two girls, getting drunk ... with a cucumber. He may never be the same again!

I have no idea what you are talking about :A

HAMISH_MCTAVISH

PasturesNew wrote: »

he'd have hated it as we didn't grow hairs on our chests immediately. If it doesn't put hair on your chest, it's not booze in his book.

There is absolutely no excuse for hairy chested women PN, fairly sure I'm fine with you two not growing hair on your chests, so pink fizzy stuff is all good if that's what it takes....:D

PasturesNew wrote: »

Two girls, getting drunk ... with a cucumber.

TMI

PasturesNew

HAMISH_MCTAVISH wrote: »

There is absolutely no excuse for hairy chested women PN

Not even in Scotland? Where it's colder and a hairy chested wifey would reduce your household heating bills??

HAMISH_MCTAVISH

PasturesNew wrote: »

Not even in Scotland? Where it's colder and a hairy chested wifey would reduce your household heating bills??

We have other ways to keep warm.

vivatifosi

I just tried to write a considered post in response to michaels's and yorkies comments re libraries. First I wasn't allowed to quote and then it lost what I'd written, so will try again.

As always, I can't say who I work for or where, though michaels knows and has met me at work.

Libraries are changing. They have to change to stay relevant, but they also have to change to respond to budgetary pressures and different technologies, community needs and so forth.

I'm glad that michaels is responding to the Hertfordshire survey. It's important that people are aware of the issues and are part of the formation of the service going forward. The public can only get out what they put in, and if they don't inform the county of their thoughts, then services cannot be commissioned according to their need moving forward. For my part I think Hertfordshire's approach is brave, pragmatic and strategically focused.

Co-location will become the norm. With what will depend on the area and suitability of spaces; when will depend on leases and what needs doing first. The use of volunteers and partnering with other community organisations will also be commonplace, and rightly so. Serving customers face-to-face in a library is expensive. Doing so digitally is significantly cheaper. That's why we have to change. If library staff resist they will go the way of the dinosaur. As I've alluded to with the police example, we will become more of a community information point. We're taking on a greater role in getting people connected.

If it costs money for them to come to the library, there has to be a saving elsewhere. We save the DVLA money by facilitating people applying for their driving licences; HMRC money when small business owners can come in and do their returns online. We also teach a lot of people the wrong side of the digital divide to get online.

What do people come to the library for? Yes they borrow books, but the elderly come in and we may be the only person they speak to all week. The homeless come in to stay warm. Children come to listen to story or sing nursery rhymes, or make craft projects like in michaels's library. Older kids do their homework. Commuters drop by to find out about ebooks. People come in to trace their family history.

It's a really exciting time to work in libraries, providing you are pragmatic and not a dinosaur. Change is good. Bring it on.

Nikkster

vivatifosi wrote: »

providing you are pragmatic and not a dinosaur. Change is good. Bring it on.

I can see you as much of a dinosaur as I could picture Lydia as Smaug

On the upside, I guess all these activities going on help to remind people that libraries can be fun and exciting places (and thus books the same), which is no bad thing.

Great post viva.

michaels

Thanks Viva. I am worried if I respond to the survey only saying what I want a library for I may impact on all the many other (more deserving?) users who may be less likely to respond....

michaels

PasturesNew wrote: »

This week the DM put St A in one of the top positions for "number of £1 million houses sold". More there than Scotland
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2815066/More-1m-homes-sold-St-Albans-Scotland-66-exchange-hands-Hertfordshire-city-far-2014-number-seven-figure-sales-soar.html

Probably at least 1-2 of each my my DKs classmates live in 1m+ houses (and possibly more)...and this is in one of the less popular and less posh state primaries in town. On the other hand probably 5-10 classmates are housed by the council.

vivatifosi

Michaels, I'd say respond anyway. I know where you are coming from but all LAs have responsibilities for their whole population. Nobody is more or less deserving, though some groups are harder to serve (due for example to location) or need more support and effort due to their needs. The LA will be wanting to get the opinions of all people, from across the different demographic groups. That will help inform a rounded response.