Congratulations to East Sussex County Council for keeping the community in the loop with their information about what is happening with the flood damaged library in Pevensey Bay.
People that criticise the activities of county councils (quite rightly in many cases) need to look at the other side of the coin.
With the net now and so much connection between local people and local authorities there is an opportunity to work with local people in some new ways. Uppermost in this new digital dialogue are information transmissions both from residents to councils and from councils to residents.
At its best it is a two way street.
The media release from East Sussex County Council this morning (April 23) is a textbook example of how to work with local people.
Information is power. By enabling local people to see the situation at Pevensey Bay Library, the authorities are doing the right thing. They are telling people what is happening and with this knowledge local people can continue to make temporary arrangements with their reading and usage of the precious services at the library.
They can find a few alternatives in the short term for their own needs, for their children, reading the newspapers, catching up with the minutes of the Parish Council, seeing what is going on in the locality with the posterboard, research and day to day contact with the world of books.
Well done also to the Royal Oak and Castle Public house in Pevensey in relation to their work as an alternative drop in centre so that people can exchange books as part of the Pub in the Hub scheme.
Let us hope that we can return to a full service with Pevensey Bay Library. It plays a vital part in the life of the community.
East Sussex County Council deserves praise for keeping the community informed and aiming to do the right thing.
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East Sussex County Council
media release, 23 April 2015
Work continues at library damaged by flood
LIBRARY staff are looking at more ways to offer library services to Pevensey residents as work to repair a flood–hit facility continues.
East Sussex County Council is working with the owners of Pevensey Bay Library after extensive flooding in January forced the library to close.
Full assessments of the building’s condition will need to take place before any work can take place.
With the closure remaining in place, the county council are looking for a suitable location in the area where residents can peruse and borrow books on a temporary basis.
“We are well aware of the inconvenience that the continued closure of Pevensey Bay Library is causing and we apologise for this,” said Valerie Wright, Library Operations Manager at East Sussex County Council.
“We will continue to update residents as we get more information and would like to assure customers that we are doing everything we can to continue to provide a service.”
Library customers will have their books automatically renewed until the building reopens and can visit any East Sussex library – the closest being Eastbourne, Langney, Hampden Park and Bexhill.
For residents unable to travel, East Sussex County Council has an e-library which allows people to browse a catalogue, borrow e-books and find help with everything from family history to homework.
Residents are also reminded that The Royal Oak and Castle in Pevensey hosts a Book Exchange as part of The Pub is the Hub scheme. This innovative service is as a result of a partnership with Adult Social Care and local businesses, which aims to support and strengthen communities. A range of ex library books for adults and children is available for anyone to borrow or read at the pub.
For enquiries, access to the county council’s e-library or renew a book online visit www.eastsussex.gov.uk/libraries
Alternatively call 0345 60 80 195 or visit East Sussex libraries facebook page at www.facebook.com/eastsussexlibraries for information.
