Really angry...

I'm usually fairly easy going, and not much gets to me. However, I'm really angry at the moment, so this is your warning; the blog will not be a nice read for some/many.

There's a petition out at the moment, "HM Government: act now to protect my statutory rights to a quality public library service" However, it would seem that most library and information professionals don't give a flying f* about it. 'What's that?' you say 'Of course librarians want to save their library services, not to mention all of the friends groups out there!' You can read more about the petition/campaign over on the CILIP site. The campaign started on December 15th, and to date the petition has 6,133 supporters.

6,133. 

In. a. month.

Some people seem to think that this is rather good, however, I think it's pathetic, derisory and damaging. That's about 230 people a day signing it. CILIP itself has over 13,000 members, and they will all have seen information on the campaign as it has featured heavily in Update. Let's make a wild guess here, and say that each member knows 4 people well enough to get them to sign it. That's 52,000 people, which is half way to getting the thing debated in Parliament. If each of those people who have signed it know another person and can get them to sign it, we're at a reasonable figure.

6,133.

In. a. month.

But apparently not. Apparently not enough people care about their library services to give 5 minutes (or less!) to signing the petition. I apologise to the 6,132 other people who have signed this, because you're excluded. But for the rest of you - what the fuck are you doing? I've got 10,000 people following my Twitter account, and yes, a lot of those are overseas etc, but if each one who could sign the petition did, and encouraged one other person to sign it, that figure would be looking a little bit healthier.

I've taken a look at a few accounts on social media from Friends groups, other librarians, other library groups, special library groups, CILIP groups and so on. Deafening. Seriously, you wouldn't know that there's a problem, let alone that there's a petition that people could sign. Apparently most of you don't give a fuck. THAT's why I'm angry. 

Of course, there are a number of reasons why people have chosen not to sign the petition. Let's take a look at a few of them.

'It's CILIP. Too little, too late'. I get that, but NOT to support a petition to save libraries because CILIP started it is about as pathetic as it gets. Yes, CILIP is late to the party in this respect, though it has done some great stuff with previous campaigns, #Savelibraries and so on. However, it IS doing something now. If you're in that camp (and I can think of at least one high profile group that is) pull your fingers out, grow up and start signing. Get more people to sign it. Not signing isn't telling CILIP what you think of them, it's telling the government that you're quite happy for them to close as many libraries as they want.

'I'm afraid that someone might see that I've put my name to it'. Doesn't work that way, and even if it did, if there are enough signatures yours is going to be lost in the mix. And to be honest, if you are too scared to sign it, then you deserve to see your library closed and your job lost. 

'I don't have time'. 5 minutes or less. Doesn't wash.

'Oh, someone else can do it'. Yeah, and someone else can save your library as well. But what if they don't? What if, as seems likely at the moment, every one is passing the buck? Everyone is expecting someone else to do it, so nothing happens. Which is pretty much the case that we've got here. 

6,133.

In. a. month,

Maybe it's simply not reaching the number of people that it needs to. We ALL need to start sharing details on the petition more than we have, and I'll hold my hand up to this one - I've only done so a few times on Facebook and Twitter, so you're going to be seeing much more of it from me in the future. And I hope that I'll see much more of it from all of you as well! Have YOU shared it? I'm guessing probably not, since I haven't been bored witless yet by seeing references to it. Put it into your own Twitter stream, write about it in your blog, share the hell out of it on Facebook. Thrust it under the face of everyone that you know, march them over to their computer(s) and get them to sign it today. We are an information profession. We should be able to do this stuff without even thinking - it's dead easy.

Having said that, there's been high profile support from authors such as Neil Gaiman, bless his heart. And it's been mentioned in The Bookseller, and in the national press. It's not as though it's an invisible campaign. 

'Bit worried about my employer finding out.' They don't need to know you signed, and besides you should be telling your boss that they bloody well need to be signing it as well. Because at this rate, your boss isn't going to be your boss much longer, they are going to be standing in front of you in the dole queue. 

Can't think of many other reasons right now to be honest - but if there's a good reason why you're not prepared to sign it, do let me know in the comments, because I would love to know.

Why is it important to sign it?

If you choose not to sign it, you're covertly giving the government more permission to close libraries. They look at this petition, Vaizey, Cameron, Whittingdale and the rest of the sorry crew are going to be laughing their socks off. If all we can manage is 6,000 signatures it's basically saying that we don't care. Rather than stopping them in their tracks, it's going to be encouraging them to do even MORE to close libraries because they think they can get away with it. And you know what - they'll probably be right, because if most of you can't be bothered to get up off your backsides and even just sign a petition, you're not likely to do anything else, let's face it. 

So I'm angry, and quite frankly, you should be as well. 6,000 signatures is pathetic. It's making the entire profession look like a laughing stock, and it's giving the government a green light to do whatever they want. And if you're angry, do something about it. Sign the petition. And if you've already signed it, get two more people to sign it. Ask your loved one, your siblings, your parents and your adult children to sign it. If you're cross with me, then show me just how cross you are and tweet a link to the petition. Share it on Facebook. Print copies of the details off and leave them in your staff rooms. Then next week, do it again. And again. Rinse and repeat until we get something that's not quite as pathetic as 6,133 signatures. 

6,133

In. a. month.

For fucks sake.

Edited to add: Apparently my language is 'vile'. Yes, it is. It's because I'm angry, and sometimes language like that makes a very strong point. However, at least one person has it would seem decided not to sign the petition because she doesn't approve of it. I'm not entirely sure how to respond to such a pathetic and infantile approach, but will have a go. If you think my language is worse than 2 libraries closing a week, get over it. If, as it seems is the case, that you're not signing because you want to spite me for my use of language, then you're part of the problem. 

Comments

[Trevor Craig]

I understand the anger Phil, I really do. One other reason why people might not sign it is they feel powerless and don't think a petition, however large will make any difference. Government even in coalition or with a tiny majority really don't care what people think. Thanks to our stupid voting system both locally and nationally, they can do what they want and ignore us. :-(

[Dilys Baker]

I would have signed. But then I got to the vile language. Why?

[Simon McLeish]

Thank you Phil. You have encouraged me to sign it today. Libraries played a huge part in my childhood and I am very grateful for that - and it will be to the detriment of social mobility and education if public libraries become a thing of the past. 6,338 signatures now: I think you have made a difference.

[Helen B]

Thank you Phil. When those who don't normally swear do just that, it is an indication of how really angry they are. I do give a flying f* and I have been pushing it, but I will give it another go, and another, and yet another.

[Leon Bolton]

Dilys: you are signing a petition for libraries instigated by Cilip, not Phil. Object all you want to his language but that is absolutely no reason not to sign the petition. Please reconsider.

Phil: totally understand and share your frustration...and don't have a problem with the language!

[Ann-marie Knox]

Being a Librarian is like having a calling, and our conscientious hard work teaching the next generation is taken for granted, undervalued and degraded by our employers. They are so short sighted they should have gone to Specsavers.

I will be voting. Thank you Phil.

Ann-marie Knox MCLIP

[Francesca Marcelline]

Well said Phil! Share and sign with a passion!

[Tracy Hager]

Hi Phil, I for one appreciate your message and how you've expressed yourself. I'm fed up of with the apathy. Oddly, I shared the petition back in December, the first day I saw it. I'm sure I would have signed the petition then, although I was just able to sign it again. This makes me wonder if my first attempt was successful? Anyway, thank you for expressing what so many of us feel.

[V Dewhurst]

I signed it straight away - to be honest I think so many of us are so bogged down with work that it's probably been put aside in the 'to do' pile - which never gets done!

[Chitra Soundar]

I grew up in a country with almost zero public libraries and I was proud to be in Britain where libraries are vibrant and friendly and community hubs. It is shame we are closing libraries here. I have signed and shared and going to ask more people personally as well.

[Christopher Pipe]

And why aren't public library staff signing in droves, and beseeching, even pestering, all their users to sign? Why are they ignoring people who offer to help campaign for better library provision, in effect declining offers of support? If they don't believe in and care about their own libraries, is it time we users started campaigning for their dismissal and replacement by professionals who are committed?

[Graham Shackson]

It is vital that we keep our country libraries, It is the difference between people learning and enjoying literature and not being able to do either. Elderly people will just give up reading and that will be disastrous for country folk.

[Steve Griffiths]

I would have thought that someone with an obvious interest in libraries would have a sufficient vocabulary - even of expletives - such that the constant repetition of the boring old f*ck would not be necessary. It really devalues an otherwise excellent argument.

[Sydney Harris]

yep, well said, nothing more to add, sign up you`all

[Liz Dexter]

You have never seemed the type of person to swear unneccessarily - so when you swear, it means it's necessary. I think there are more words in the piece than swear words, so it's not exactly indicative of a limited vocabulary! I've signed and shared the petition, although I'm no longer a librarian or a CILIP member. Fair play to you for this post and I hope it does some good.

[Colleen Fitzgerald]

I signed the petition and asked that it be put on our library's social media page. I was told it was 'too political' for us to advertise. I was shocked. I manage the social media page for the CILIP East of England Network and have posted it several times.

[Maria Giovanna De Simone]

Well said. I signed and shared on my facebook, then I read your post, and I decided to share the petition on my employer's twitter and facebook page too. I work for a very privileged college library, far from all of this, but I think that when it comes to the right to information we should all stand up for each other and fight for our rights.

[Tom Sykes]

Signed this last week, but have to admit the low numbers of signatories initially did make me think twice about signing, I'm embarrased to admit that. I then signed up because, well it's a no-brainer.

I'm sure its Cilip's behaviour up till now that is causing doubt, but as you say, better late than never.

Stuck a poster in the library as well, why not!?

[Tracey Pratchett]

I'm usually pretty switched on, Twitter, Facebook etc but thus is the first time I've seen this. Maybe timing over holidays? Just saying. I've signed and shared. Also have encouraged friends and family to complete local surveys/ petitions as Lancs get ready to close libraries ...

[Richard Veevers]

Hi Phil
Thanks for this.
I've cursed, I cried, I've laughed and I've even politely debated, all to no avail.
I left CILIP last year primarily because, as a public librarian, I didn't feel that CILIP connected with the public. From the numbers of signees on the petition (and from some of the distasteful comments left on your blog) it would appear that I don't have to change my mind just yet.
I submitted a paper about public libraries for 2015's CILIP conference, I'll be doing the same again for 2016. Maybe the audience will be a little more receptive this time!?

[Ian Anstice (Hon FCLIP!)]

I've pushed the petition from the get go and been campaigning for years. It's not hurt me and, frankly, even got me a few awards in the process. What I see is a feeling of depression and futility amongst librarians. I've never understood that. Stand up, do the best you can or - one day - those campaigning for you may, just, give up. And those who hate libraries will be smirking.

By the way, I've publicised the petition but I've never put it on my personal Facebook account. I'll do that now. Thank you Phil for an excellent and timely post.

[Anglea Betts]

Very well said. Totally agree with everything you've said (and swearing is definitely needed at times). We are living up to our stereotype of being quite and meek, at a time when we should be outspoken and frankly angry at what the government is doing to library services across the country. I had already signed, but haven't really shared. So thanks for the reminder and I will be encouraging library and non-library folk to sign.

[Jennie Hillyard]

I think this was a very valid point - like many of us, I signed the petition, shared it on Facebook and then moved on to dealing with Christmas. I didn't think to look back and see how it was doing and whether it needed a helping hand.
So I reshared it on Facebook, both as myself and as our local CILIP regional members group and it's gained a few more signatures.
I'm pleased to see we're nearly at the 7,500 target (I wonder why they set it so low?) and I hope it can go on from strength to strength.

[Jennie]

Perfect sentiments Phil. Your languange is beautifully passionate.

[John Vincent]

Phil, thanks for this. (I'm one of the 6132 others who signed!) I don't understand why people aren't signing - it may be a "it's all about public libraries, and I work in another sector" view, but ALL types of library are potentially under threat. Do sign now!!