tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371203489316363738.post7228407494960701091..comments2024-01-30T07:41:20.885+00:00Comments on Broken Barnet: "Refurbishment" - Or: How to destroy a library service, the Barnet Tory wayMrs Angryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00586223909475832791noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371203489316363738.post-46099855435441280452018-01-11T21:30:23.056+00:002018-01-11T21:30:23.056+00:00Sitting in our local library study hall in Canada,...Sitting in our local library study hall in Canada, I reminisced about my years studying in Hendon library (as a correspondence student). On a whim I thought I'd look Hendon library up on the internet. What I saw made me feel sick: The closure of the 1st and 2nd floor of Hendon library! - What!!?<br /><br />I remember in 2001 to 2003 (when it was open, was closed because of refurbishment sometime round then) Hendon library's study room was full whenever exam time came around. People literally sitting on the floor because they didn't arrive early enough to procure a seat. Usually about March to June each year, and then a little less busy October to November. The point I'm making is, there are many people who have nowhere to study except at the local library. Studying at home is not productive, and full of distractions. I'd estimate daily there were about 60 people (school students + adults) all studying - at busy times - in Hendon library.<br /><br />In my time at Hendon Library, I met qualified doctors, dentists, pilots, lawyers and accountants (like myself) studying hard preparing for whatever exams were coming up. Even here, in my local library I'm surrounded by at least 40 adults, of all ages, studying for something, and it's not even busy yet.<br /><br />Because of having a quiet space to study productively in, I was luckily able to pass my exams, and because of that I earned good money to pay more than my fair share of taxes. Since passing my exams I alone have probably paid more in tax to the UK govt. than Capita want to earn in rent annually for the 1st and 2nd floor, and that's just me. Who knows how much collectively is earned by providing the facilities to allow people to study.<br /><br />Are we going to see a serious brain drain in Barnet now, thanks to short-term money saving? How much will be forfeited in lost tax revenue? How much does London want to lose out vs other countries that provide these facilities? Is everyone with any ambition in Hendon expected to now study at the local Starbucks?<br /><br />Where are all of Hendon's school students going to go when they need to prepare for their A level exams? It sounds like no research has been done on this whatsoever.<br /><br /><br />-AndyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371203489316363738.post-17852871120084564682017-12-19T15:52:29.186+00:002017-12-19T15:52:29.186+00:00Did you know the library space is no longer going ...Did you know the library space is no longer going to be rented out in order to get an income. Its going to be occupied by Capita.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371203489316363738.post-34795995164307685342017-07-12T22:34:39.816+01:002017-07-12T22:34:39.816+01:00Yes, in fact there is a link in the post, thanks A...Yes, in fact there is a link in the post, thanks Anon.Mrs Angryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00586223909475832791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371203489316363738.post-52437825395176804932017-07-12T14:27:31.271+01:002017-07-12T14:27:31.271+01:00Not directly related to your post here, but wanted...Not directly related to your post here, but wanted to make sure you have seen the recent inspection report on children's services. <a href="https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/local_authority_reports/barnet/051_Single%20inspection%20of%20LA%20children%27s%20services%20as%20pdf.pdf" rel="nofollow">Inspection report - Barnet</a>. Best wishes (not a Barnet resident or politician).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371203489316363738.post-11148876923307366442017-07-09T20:51:17.138+01:002017-07-09T20:51:17.138+01:00In the past few weeks my two year old daughter has...In the past few weeks my two year old daughter has started acting out journeys during which we 'go to the library' but it's closed. It isn't something we've put her up to. Clearly, she understands libraries to be places with locked doors, that she is kept out of.<br /><br />Well done Barnet!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com