Harringay online

Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

From the Haringey Indy

MORE than half of all Haringey's residents use its libraries making them some of the most popular in London, according to Government statistics.

Interim figures from the Department of Culture, Media and Sports show that almost 60 per cent of people in the borough have used Haringey libraries over the past year.

It means that Haringey libraries are in the top one per cent of library authorities in the country.

Obligatory quote

I love posting good news about libraries!

Tags for Forum Posts: libraries

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James W: Is there any evidence that folk are READING more books?

David J: I haven't bet for years but I noticed the odds on Reading the other night and thought they looked rather good, considering.

I reckon that's all the evidence you need, James.
Did i say it was a bad thing that the libraries are doing well ? of course not.
I simply put a (fair) question on the table about how statistics are manipulated.
Folk are borrowing more books therefore folk are reading more books, WRONG !
Would it still be a success story if the libraries had lots of folk going there but not to read books ?
Of course, modern libraries are about multimedia not just books, no problem there, now do you get my drift ?
I think the role of libraries is changing and well done to Haringey for staying ahead of the game. Yes, they are still important places to borrow books but the best ones offer much more than that. Now you can pick up the latest block buster at Sainsburys for a few quid, libraries are becoming more like information centres. Tower Hamlets re-branded their libraries as Idea Stores. They do all the traditional things libraries do but you can also access nearly all council service from them.
Classically speaking: BiblioTECH or LIBERation Zone instead of Idea Store ?
I agree with James. It's no criticism of our libraries to ask questions about the numbers we are dished up. Even when - and perhaps especially when - those numbers are looking good! After all, it's our money spent on our services.

It's also healthy to have public debates about what sort of libraries we want; and the rapidly changing role of librarians.

This is particularly important for experiments in deliberative democracy. (Which of course could include community websites like Harringay Online.) One requirement for building sound sensible judgements about policy issues is having the necessary knowledge available. Which must include a wide range of reliable and independent data and information ─ as far as possible, unspun by politicians and special interest groups.
Thanks Alan.
A fair sober response. One thing i'm finding hard to cope with in our 'modern' libraries is MOBILE PHONE users.
Person in library answers his phone: "hello, hello, hello, hello ? i'm in a library".
I have resorted to carrying one of these.
http://www.phonejammer.com/product.php?productid=16138&cat=249&...
They are LEGAL to own.
Legal to own maybe but not to use:

"Note for UK customers: jamming equipment is illegal to use in the UK as it violates section 8 of the 2006 Wireless Telegraphy Act, we are therefore unable to supply jammers to any UK business or private customer. Any UK Government or Military customer should ensure that they have the relevant exemption or immunity before purchasing.

"Due to non CE approval of these products we cannot sell these products to any private end user in any of the European Union countries."

Maybe the library itself, as a govt dept, would be allowed to install them. Or they could just get tighter at expelling people, for increasing amounts of time for repeat offences.

More intrusive is a youth playing Splatter Death Kill at the next machine.
Pamish. re: phonejammers.
You are right they are not illegal to own.
I own one.
They are illegal to use. I don't think cops even know of their existence. Just like everyone else i've spoken to. I will continue to use mine when (peace and quiet is) needed.
This is all good for me because i can still use my phone when i want ha ha.
Thanks Alan Wylie.
You put very simply what i was trying to say. (note to self. Ask for Alan to proof read my posts)
Alan Wylie.
Could you find out why libraries don't use these devices.
http://www.phonejammer.com/home.php?cat=253

other catagories:
schools.theatres.cinemas.prisons.hospitals.police stations etc etc.
I must be going to my local library at funny old times to miss all this manic noise, frantic DVD borrowing and kids playing computer games. Usually, I'm in a queue of folk returning books, or there are people sitting quietly reading the papers or using the computers. Hubby finds himself able to write his essays in Hornsey Library without too many problems. In the summer holidays, the libraries put on wonderful stuff for kids, nearly all of it with a literary theme.

Apart from the computers, the atmosphere and behaviour of people in Stroud Green is the same as it was 30 years ago when the library was my home from home.

Wood Green has perhaps taken on a very different function perhaps as a bit of a community hub and lost that hushed tones place of reflection feel but if people are using the place and finding it useful then I don't see the problem.

For once Haringey have shown a bit of vision and have a success story on their hands, credit where credit is due, it is down to good leadership. As a regular user of the library, I think Haringey are getting it right on this one; oh and yes we borrow lots of books and do you know we read them...every one
I'm glad you are happy with libraries and have no concerns whatsoever Liz.
Thanks for pointing out that i am mistaken. That my concerns merit no discussion.
Only joking :-)
Seriously, Liz do you really think people that take out books to get a free DVD read those books ?
What do you think about phonejammers at libraries etc ? (see other discussion about phonejammers)

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