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Upper Hutt Library Changes
I am disappointed to have to tell you that I have not heard from any councillors other than Angela McLeod who has acknowledged me and she has indicated that she is looking into it and would like to meet in the near future.
Steve Taylor has contacted me and he at least went and spent time in the Library, he says for him its ok, but he could see it might not suit all.
He also said he thought it was an “operational matter” and couldn’t see what he could do, but we could meet if I liked – I felt dismissed so I declined a meeting, I don’t see the point in using my time to talk to folk who are supposed to represent me and don’t know how that works.
I had been having ongoing correspondence with the Director Community Services – one Mike Ryan – who now no longer replies to my letters- I have been asking him to supply often quoted relevant information. He consistently does not supply it.
The Questions:
• To be given access to the quoted research of “similar libraries here and overseas” that Library and Council say is the successful model that they have adopted for our Library. To be given the statistical data and the sources.
I also asked:
• Is the Library registering and counting over the counter complaints?
• Is the Library registering and counting daily requests for help?
• Do staff point out and direct complainants to feedback forms?
I asked the Mayor in person
Now that there is little to no ‘line of sight’ in the Library and people can effectively disappear behind shelving - accident, illness, emergency, criminality all are obscured in the current layout? He told me there were many cameras I asked if they were being monitored, he said he didn’t know but he would ask and get back to me – I am still waiting.
• CCTV who is monitoring and how often? Will incidents be seen while happening or will it be only useful as evidence after the fact?
I have good reason to believe they do not have the information that they quote as the basis for changing our library. I believe they have never had it.
My feeling is that this trendy philosophy has come directly from our new Library Manager, Marion Read, to satisfy Councils need for a ‘cost to benefit’ analysis, so that data could then be used to downsize or downgrade our Library. Something she perhaps was a part of in Auckland where she came to us from?
We don’t even have a Chief or Head Librarian anymore, which has me wondering what the qualifications now are and whether or not Library Managers cost less than Librarians?
Does Marion Read reside in or pay rates in Upper Hutt?
Remember all these people are paid by us to administer our city, and along with fulfilling what the local body law requires of all our local bodies, they are also supposed to reflect their specific community needs, wants and identity!
Our representatives are elected by us to represent us and are paid for by us.
Be assured that I will not vote for anyone that ignores me and takes my money while doing so!
How sad is it that we will now have to spend even more of our unpaid time and effort to require our paid for by us City Council to comply with the law?
My issues are and have always been Accessibility and Inclusivity
If you want more detail on my correspondence with UHCC go to my blog www.publiclibrarytrends.blogspot.co.nz...
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Poll: Have you ever had a scary flight?
A plane flying from Christchurch to Wellington on Sunday had smoke billowing out of the engine and upon landing, passengers had to open the emergency exit and jump out. Have you had any scary flying experiences?
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56.7% Yes!
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43.3% No, it's always been smooth flying
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ALEXANDER ROAD SPEED LIMIT
Alexander Road in Trentham-Wallaceville of which 50% separates a golf course from a military encampment enclosure and the rest has mostly high fenced off industrial and residential areas on both sides, should have a 70km speed restriction.
Only a short time ago the road had a 80km restriction and was reduced to a pedestrian 50km much to the frustration of many. It has never been an accident prone stretch of road.
The several round-abouts ensure speed is reduced to 30-40km when these things occur.
I recently stayed a few days in Feilding - often given the title of the best town in NZ - and one of the lengthy main streets has a 70km speed restriction despite a predominance of unfenced residential properties on both sides.
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LIVE Q&A: Financial well-being with Cat Rikihana
Today (Wednesday) we're having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with Cat Rikihana who is a financial mentor, educator and financial capability practitioner at Financial Freedom Trust in the Manawatū.
Cat Rikihana (Ngai Tahu) like many financial mentors around Aotearoa, works with individuals, groups and whānau to successfully navigate financial stress and hardship. Mentors work alongside whānau to increase confidence and skills in personal money management and advocate with and for clients. Cat enjoys delivering online and face-to-face workshops which provide opportunities to normalise money conversations and encourages people to make time to consider their financial well-being.
Cat is also an independent financial well-being coach, educator and indigenous life coach at Restore Wellness Network. She is a published writer and currently in the process of writing her first non-fiction book: 'A financial self-care guide for women in Aotearoa.'
She'd love to answer any questions you may have around your budgeting and spending habits, strategies for saving, retirement planning and debt. (Don't be shy, but be mindful about what you disclose!)
↓ Share your questions now and Cat will reply to your comment below ↓
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