Who said that libraries were dull?

So we have lost the vote to keep our library within the folds of Dorset Library Service (DLS). http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-14230634 What are the next steps? Because it was only by a small margin the Ad-Lib team think that we do not have grounds for a legal challenge. But one of us thinks that the chair that cast the deciding vote should have voted for the status quo, not the change. One of the points that was continually made was the need to make savings. I would like to know how much saving is going to be made by releasing 9 libraries into the wild, rather than the initial proposal of 20 libraries. We must keep in mind that this is not (perhaps) closure of the libraries, but making them community run, with some help from DLS. Part of the preparation is getting them up to scratch, and the costs of doing this are part of the reasons for making them community run, so that is not a saving. Also the costs of converting the Library Management System (LMS) to a sub-system for the freed libraries must be considered. Possible option 1: expect and promote a government u-turn, or a judicial review. Option 2: Challenge the decision, or argue that Colehill Library should not be included, because the maintenance costs were invalid (refenestration). Any other reasons? Option 3: do nothing and watch it close. Should we ask DCC how much the costs of closing it down are, decommissioning and removing the building, redundancy and pension make-up, etc? Option 4: Put in the effort to run it ourselves, as the county want us to. None of the present Focol Committee are willing to put in that effort – it is major. As part of the responsibility of any community group taking on responsibility for the local library, the group would need to: 1. Provide a robust business plan to demonstrate that the community led arrangements are sustainable and acceptable. 2. Formally constitute a group/organisation to run the library. 3. Consider registering as a charitable body as this may bring some financial benefit such as business rate relief and the possibility of applying for grants. 4. Be responsible for the lease of the library building or provide other suitable community space 5. Maintain the building 6. Be responsible for the premises related running costs of the community library premises 7. Make necessary insurance arrangements 8. Be responsible for health and safety for safe use by building users, volunteers and DCC staff supporting the service 9. Be aware of its safeguarding responsibilities for children and vulnerable adults 10. Recruit and supervise volunteers to provide the service. 11. Be responsible for the books on loan from DCC and work to any agreed processes (???) relating to the library offer 12. Decide on convenient opening hours for the local community. 13. Provide and maintain a minimum number of opening hours to be communicated to the general public and to Dorset County Council. This is to ensure that the stock and services supported by the County Council can be accessed by the local community. From Report [5] Appendix 7, page 84. The big one is item 10 – supervise. It is continual, and Volunteers will consider this duty(?) as a lower priority than other things in their life.