UK libraries dumped 11% of computers since 2010-11... everybody has one anyway, right?

Notice in library (where computer used to be)

This Library is no longer providing internet access or computer services.

To complain please visit www.madeuplibrarydomain.com/registercomplaint/libraryid/8923766827365f87235c758967234791123iu2294

6 Months later library says "we removed the computers and have received no complaints so the service must not have been needed"

What support?

"While 98 per cent of Universal Credit claimants make their claim online there is support for people who need extra help. Staff are on hand to help people to claim and we can give support over the phone or through a home visit where needed." ®

Not up here in the NE of England it isn't. Every week we get new UC claimants without IT skills referred to us by the JobCentre. The dialog seems to be:

"Fill in this 28 screen UC application & we'll consider your claim";

"But I don't have a computer & have never used one";

"Go to the library, they'll sort you out. In the meantime until the claim is completed & approved there's a food bank you might want to visit".

Problem?

It would be interesting to find out what the peak usage rates are for the computers. Since 2010 more people have internet at home, and more people have smartphones (so they only need wifi at the library). If there are unused computers during the busiest times it would be hard to justify not downsizing as the equipment ages out.

It's almost like...

...the government looked at every possible risk which could threaten a solid and reliable rollout of UC to everyone's satisfaction, then set in motion plans which would ensure that every risk manifested in reality.

A Welsh Grand Slam And a 11% increase in library computers...! [Cue down votes from English & Irish rugby supporters. And a hat tip to Scotland for such a great comeback]

Seriously, "A statement from the Department for Work and Pensions argued that ... all job centres had free Wi-Fi." Great news for the UC claimants that had to sell their laptops to bridge the 6+ week wait

Presumably the 89% left since 2010/11...

Are not the same ones. The same old hardware running the same old OS as they were in 2010/2011?

There are more vulnerable than you think

We employ several who don't have an email address, no computer, no smartphone. Perfectly upstanding members of society who graft and pay their taxes. Up until a few years ago the same group had no bank account either (we insisted eventually). In many ways they fall into the vulnerable group as well, or they certainly will when they retire, they just aren't on the radar yet.

I’ve got an iMac

Sculpture, alter or computer. You decide.

computers. just say no.

Not exactly the same but...

At my university, most department closed or drastically reduced the number of computers freely available for everybody, but the library that was doted with a bunch of new machines (that was part of the renovation after the flood in 2011).

The reality?

As someone who managed public IT in a UK public library service until I retired (early) a couple of years ago, IMO the realities are very complex...

First question - what is your personal expectation of a public 'library,? What is that expectation of every central and local government body and agency to provide free support services fro them for which they pay nothing outside general taxation? Do these expectations match? 30+ years ago, the former editor of the Guardian, wrote an article quoting a Director of Social Services stating that a certain library was his biggest day care centre. Currently libraries are being touted as social centres to replace the disappearing pubs. All things to all people?

Since the mass introduction of Lottery funded public library IT around the Millennium, there has seldom been funding for regular refresh - it certainly doesn't keep up with market development.

If you close libraries, you generally lose the public IT within it - unless that is relocated, and that may not then be in a convenient place for users.

You will probably have queuing in peak times and lots of spare capacity at quiet times - if you only have one library open on a Sunday in an urban area, it will be saturated with demand for IT.

If you reduce library hours, you reduce access to the IT, unless you keep the libraries open (questionable term) in Self-Service libraries when the libraries are unstaffed, paid or volunteer.

How IT Savvy do you expect staff to be - with the hardware, software, online applications and services, whatever - alongside their other varied duties? Books (remember them?) management, user management, children's activities, etc.etc. Possibly loan tools and lawnmowers in future. How much do you pay them (if anything). How well do you train them? How well do you regard them?

The greater profusion of personal devices - even for those on low incomes - changed the demand on the service. Public WiFi - inside and outside the libraries changed the balance, and changed the game. Can you print from your personal device in your library?. Are library management looking at the metrics (if they have any) and pro-actively adjusting the services?

I could go on...

You get what you pay for, and as they say with politics, you get the leaders you deserve.

The film...

...I, Daniel Blake is coming true.

Statistics ...

Another set of numbers being played for the agenda rather than to reveal anything new of value.

A growing number of us have internet access from home and work, but there is no mention of how many people now actually attend public libraries any more.

Further more, why would you use a device that you know you will be monitored and records retained my public-sector officials?