Nelson & His World

Answers to some of Jacqui's questions have now been posted on the blog at http://www.nmm.ac.uk/library/2008/12/op ... _prov.html

Apparently Eleanor Gawne, Head of Library and Archives, considers the halving in opening hours from 40 hours per week in April 2008 to the 20 hours per week from now until 2012 to be (quote): 'slightly reduced service between 2009-2012'.

If that represents the NMM's attitude towards service levels, then I feel there is very little hope for the future.

She has also now finally admitted that part of the reason for the cuts in service is nothing to do with the construction of the Sammy Ofer wing. It is 'to continue work on enhancing catalogue records'. This is a disgrace. As many of us suspected, the Sammy Ofer wing has been used as a smokescreen to try to hide inadequate resourcing.

Again, if the NMM has insufficient resources to make any improvements without cutting services to users, what hope is there for the future?

She has also confirmed that no improvements will be made to service levels from 2009 to 2012, despite the fact that the plans were based on underestimated demand.

Things are looking better beyond 2012. There is now an announcement about opening hours after the Sammy Ofer wing opens in 2012:
See: http://www.nmm.ac.uk/researchers/librar ... -from-2012

The one late night a week is particularly good news for those travelling long distances who need to make best use of a day's visit.