Dear Editor, 

We are writing to raise awareness and share our deep concerns about the proposed reduction in staff hours at Amersham Library. We are troubled by both what is going to happen and the process of consultation.

The Amersham Action Group (AAG) is a non-political group of volunteers aiming to support the community, economy and environment in Amersham-on-the-Hill and we wish to draw people’s attention to the ramifications of Buckinghamshire Council introducing a self-service system called Library Flex.

Located in Chilterns Lifestyle Centre, Amersham Library is busier than ever. Since the Council closed their Amersham office, ending their face-to-face support, the library has become the Council Access Point, a service where library staff help people instead. You may not be aware that Amersham Library has also become the unofficial tourist information service with staff assisting visitors to the area which can only help our economy.

This new ‘Flex’ system will reduce staffing hours from 41 to 28.7 hours per week and at other times people can access the library via a self-operated technology if they are over 16 years of age AND have completed an induction programme. Children under 16 will not be able to use the service unless accompanied by an adult. At a time when we should be encouraging children to read more, limiting access to a public library really does not help.

Self-service machines are already in use at the library which frequently results in people requesting help from staff to use, it will therefore discriminate against people who are not computer literate and not comfortable using these machines alone and who may stop going to the library as a consequence.

There are obvious concerns about security of the library being used unmanned and it is clearly flawed to leave it to ordinary users of the library to challenge any unauthorised use or behaviour. The CCTV will not be monitored live, only retrospectively if something happens.

Many groups use the library for their activities, will it now be up to them to run the library when they are there? To allow entry to people who are not library members as well as ensure that anyone left in the library once the activity is finished is allowed to be there?

This is a short-term financial saving which will have a long-term negative impact on Amersham residents, particularly the youngest, the oldest and the most vulnerable.

We do not believe that the consultation is being handled so that people have a real say. The consultation is designed not to ask whether it should happen but only on how it should it happen, making it almost impossible for residents to object.

We would like to point out that Library Flex is planned for all of Buckinghamshire.

We are inviting people to sign our petition (https://tinyurl.com/AmershamLibraryPetition) to demand a proper consultation so Amersham residents can have their say on whether the proposed change should happen.

Alison Bailey,

Amersham Action Group

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