Double standard

1:53pm Friday 19th September 2008

In response to D M Colcomb's letter in last week's Wiltshire Times, it is fascinating to see just how dependent Wiltshire County Council still are on the printed word, using the Wiltshire Magazine to promote their activities and councillors.

This is despite having an obviously very expensive and elaborate website. So much for the phasing out of printed material in favour of online services.

Also featured in the Wiltshire Magazine, along with the "Great Leader" is the portfolio holder in charge of Libraries on the County Council Cabinet. Once again using the printed word, instead of the WCC website.

The County Council is operating double standards. When it suits them it is more than willing to spend our money and use printed material to supplement their website.

Yet on the other hand, they plan to slash the number of reference books in Trowbridge Reference Library from 7854 to a mere 2400, claiming online services will make up the difference.

This, despite surveys showing 30 percent of library users can't get the information they need from Wiltshire Libraries.

Secondary schools already face a major problem with students cutting and pasting online material and passing it off as their own coursework. (This is such a problem that computer programs to detect such misuse of online services are being introduced).

Without providing adequate reference books as an alternative, Wiltshire Library service are failing our children, under-resourcing a key component in supporting and raising the standard of their education.

A Milroy, Trowbridge