Correspondence with a Nottingham Librarian

Because of the increase in gun crime in the city, and, the police response to it, I had an interest to research the subject a little further. I know of instances in 2001 with the loss of another magazine and 1995 when they lost five hand guns out the back of a van. The doors were open, while they drove along, ‘cos it was hot!

Checked back though their cuttings archives and nothing was there. I asked an assistant about it, and , apparently they only keep ‘important cuttings’ !!

I composed myself, and asked to speak to a senior archivist.

She said; we mainly keep cutting of ‘policy changes’ rather than ‘incidents’. And “Yep, I agree, it does seem we’ve been ‘kind’ to the police!”. She also remembered the story from the time, [thus if she remembered 8 years later, chances are in might have been important!] As a senior troublemaker, I told her there and then, that I would be grateful if that policy could be changed immediately, to take into account, what are self-evidently serious matters, that should result in ‘important cuttings’ and would be taking it up with the Nottinghamshire Senior Librarian next week. [watch this space] .

Oh god!! I mean, bloody heck, my whole life is like this. So there’s another couple of hours next week, to account for all this .. .. ..

So, this is what I asked ……. >>

John Turner (Service Manager, Central Library)

Central Library,

Angel Row,

NOTTINGHAM NG1 6HP

RE: review of ‘importance’ of cuttings you keep on archive

Because of the increase in gun crime in the city, and, the police response to it, I had an interest to research the subject a little further. I was aware of a number of incidents at the loss of police weapons

I visited the Local History [4th floor] section of the library on Saturday morning. [having been referred there by the business section. My object was to look up previous instance of the loss of ammo and weapons by police in the county. In addition to last weeks loss, I knew of instances in 2001 with the loss of a magazine with bullets and another instance in 1995 when they lost five hand guns out the back of a van. At that time, this was the only info on dates I had.

Checked back though the cuttings archives that had been supplied by an assistant, nothing was there. I asked for further advice in searching on the subject, and, apparently you only keep ‘important cuttings.’

Speaking to a more senior archivist. She said; we mainly keep cutting of ‘policy changes’ rather than ‘incidents’. And “Yep, I agree, it does seem we’ve been ‘kind’ to the police, ‘by omission’, in not keeping these copies”. She also remembered the story from the time, [thus if she remembered 8 years later, chances are it might have been important!] Now, bearing in mind some of the issues, that appear to be facing the city, can I ask you to review, what you might consider as ‘important’

I would be grateful if your policy could be changed, to take into account, what are self-evidently serious matters, that should, I would have thought, result in ‘important cuttings’.

Anyway, all to late to be of any assistance to me now, I charged off and spoke to a journalist at the Evening Post who had written a recent piece on the subject, and had sited some of the incidents that I wanted to look into. Accurate dates where given to me and I now have the information I was looking into, was able to go straight there, on your film records of the Post.

Of course, I appreciate you can’t keep everything.

But just ask you to consider, that as the librarian had said: ” I agree, it does seem we’ve been ‘kind’ to the police, ‘by omission’, in not keeping these copies”.

Regards

Alan Lodge

and this was his reply, [quite positive really] >>

………………………………..

John Turner

john.turner@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

RE: review of ‘importance’ of cuttings you keep on archive

Dear Alan Lodge

I apologise for the delay in replying to you. Thank you for your observations which are very useful.

I have asked the Local Studies team to review the policy as I feel the points you raise deserve further consideration. I understand your frustration that the cuttings we keep on crime did not include the stories you were interested in. I agree the stories were memorable and therefore arguably important enough to keep in cuttings files. I am pleased you were able to obtain the references from the journalist and as a result see what you needed on the microfilm we keep.

One of the main reasons for the policy we operate is the breadth of coverage in the Evening Post and the limited time we have available to operate a cuttings service. I believe the Evening Post do not provide an indexing service which would be a more comprehensive alternative.

Thanks for making your observations which gives us an opportunity to review our policies and determine whether we can improve our services as a result.

John Turner

Service Manger

Central Library

Angel Row

Nottingham

NG1 6HP

tel: 0115 9152828

fax; 0115 9152850

Some background to the gun situation here:

http://tash_lodge.blogspot.com/2003_02_02_tash_lodge_archive.html#88756662

http://tash_lodge.blogspot.com/2003_01_26_tash_lodge_archive.html#88374768