Let's not play librarians

Squatters have occupied and reopened the empty Friern Barnet library. Quite what is happening though is still unclear from the media coverage but the comments of those interviewed and filmed lead me to have concerns about the message being delivered.

It is sad that in our desire to save libraries we have seen communities, though reluctant, pushed to run their library, endeavouring to keep doors open and the service ticking over, in the hope that a professional service will be reinstated sometime in the future. This often comes with huge responsibilities to fundraise to meet on-going costs and the thorny issue of sufficient volunteers to man them. Many see this as unsustainable, also giving the council permission to lay the blame on the community, should the arrangement fail. The next year or so will be very telling on this front.

Of greater concern are those jumping in eagerly to run libraries, openly expressing the view that they can do a better job than professional librarians and experienced trained staff. This, I really cannot understand.



The problem I see with Friern Barnet though is that the local campaigners have fought long and hard to save their library. I understood that they had consistently refused to negotiate on running it themselves or accepting to use other premises as an alternative, yet the squatters have begun discussions with Barnet Council to do just this.

It concerns me too that there may be no real commitment to seeing the project through. One of the squatters is quoted, 

“I've learnt many skills over the years as a squatter – roofing, fixing electrics, unblocking toilets; now I can add community librarian to my CV."

Is that really the point?

It also begs the question how might things have been different had he instead gained entry to a disused hospital building or school?

A resident on the video is also filmed  saying, when asked how she is feeling being a volunteer librarian, 

“It feels good”

I'm sure it does feel good to be able to do something proactive after the months and months of frustration, protest and petitions failed to get Barnet Council to keep the library open. But this appears to have been a spur of the moment decision – an unplanned takeover of the space via an open window.  How much thought went into the running and manning of this library? What also isn’t clear is what the volunteer librarians see as their role, what commitment they are willing to make and what skills, other than a pair of willing hands, do they bring to the role?

Before anyone screams that I am anti volunteer, I've spent years of my life volunteering but I have never undertaken anything that undermined some else’s employment or profession.

Volunteering is undoubtedly of huge benefit in many areas, including libraries, but anyone who has worked with volunteers will know what a difficult issue it can be. Volunteers often have their own ideas and agendas that they feel they have a right to pursue as they are offering their time for free. The usual constraints of employment do not apply, and if a volunteer does not like the way things are going, feels undervalued or finds something better comes up, they often lack staying power to see ‘the job’ through.

Has any real consideration gone into this reopened library, how it might work or is this the act of opportunists, gathering support from well-meaning residents to validate their occupation?

And the thing that really makes my heart sink is seeing that date stamp being wielded.  Do those assisting in this exercise really think there is nothing to running a library; that professional qualifications, expertise and experience matter so little; that libraries are merely about stamping a book or two and straightening a few shelves?

I may be wrong, and I am happy to be corrected if I am, but I think what we might be witnessing here are squatters, occupying a building under the pretence of running a library for the community and, in so doing, undoing the valiant work of those who have campaigned long and hard for a professional service to be reinstated. In so doing, they may also be dividing a united community.

Let’s not play librarians without seriously exploring all the consequences.