February 1987
‘Yes’ for Library Video Lending
A warning was given last night that jobs could be lost in the private sector of the video hire market because of competition for a proposed video lending service at the central library in the Wellgate Centre.It was issued to members of Dundee District Council’s cultural services committee by solicitor Mr Andrew Lyall, who appeared as a deputation representing a number of video traders.
He told the committee that many more jobs would be lost in the private sector that the two it was proposed to create with the new video lending service. Before the committee last night was a report by chief librarian Mr J.B. Ramage which recommended the establishment of a video lending service at the central library.
Mr Ramage said that in the past few years a number of library authorities have commenced video tape lending on a self-financing basis and the experience gained by them was now seen to be sufficient to warrant Dundee investigating the possibility of videos being lent within central library.
These authorities amongst those who had set up such facilities – Motherwell in 1981, Monklands in 1983 and Falkirk in 1979 – now had great experience in video lending and all showed a net surplus of income over expenditure.
Mr Ramage said that public lending of videos was perceived as differing from commercial lending of videos in that, whilst there was a common middle ground of lending popular feature films, public libraries can and do supply minor interest videos such as a wide range of children’s language, educational and D.I.Y. films which are not lent by the commercial market. Public libraries did not lend “X-rated” material.
Mr Ramage recommended the setting up of a self-financing video library at the central library that a sum of £22 250 be made available for initial stock, stationary and advertising and that a request for two part-time assistants be remitted to the manpower committee.
Mr Lyall told the committee that he was representing video traders who had premises throughout the Dundee area. The people he represented had all invested risk capital to build up their businesses. Many of the businesses were tenants of district council property. The fear was that any diminution in their business would lead to redundancies in the companies he represented and those he did not.
During questioning later in the committee, when the appropriate item was reached on the agenda. Mr Ramage said that of the current “Top 10” videos, only five would be likely to be stocked in the central library. The library would not be stocking the “Rambo” type film.
The department was not seeking to operate the service in the central library and all district libraries as well, the system which now operated in Falkirk.
Committee convener Mr Frank Christie moved approval of Mr Ramage’s recommendations and told the committee it was quite clear that the authority has a market to reach. From time to time that market may come into conflict with private video traders but the central library would be dealing with the quality of video that, in the main, was not available from the private sector.
Mrs Catherine Murray moved an amendment that no video lending service be started in the central library. She told councillors that she appreciated that part of the stock would be special interest videos and some of the old classics.
However, it was obvious that the library department did not want to run the facility at a deficit and therefore, must have the popular films as well.
Mr Christie’s motion was approved by 17 votes to six.
McLean annoyed, Wallace impressed
By The Sports Editor
As Jim McLean fumed over Dundee United’s display in the 1-1 Scottish Cup third round draw with Airdrie at Tannadice his assistant, Gordon Wallace, was running the rule over Barcalona – United’s UEFA Cup quarter final opponents in their Saturday game against Real Madrid.
To manager McLean first. He was just as annoyed with United’s showing yesterday as he had been immediately after the game. “It could have been worse, of course. We have a second chance and we must grab it”. There are questions over whether the game can go on as Airdrie’s Broomfield pitch was even more badly affected than most by the recent Arctic weather, but the United view is that they will go ahead with their preparations on the assumption that the game will go on.
One plus for United is that Eamonn Bannon is available for selection again. His problem was a thigh strain but he did some training yesterday morning.
Paul Heggarty still won’t be there, however. His next outing, provided the ground conditions are suitable, could be against Falkirk reserves, at Brockville on Friday night.
United are scheduled to play a reserve game at Hamilton tonight. Available again after suspension is Dave Bowman “which leaves us in a better position for Saturday,” commented the manager.
Now to Gordon Wallace. He was Gary Lineker score all three Barcelona goals, “which didn’t surprise me because everyone in the game knows he is a scorer. Anyone who gets them at that level is a quality player”
“And” continued Gordon, who knows a few things about scoring goals himself, “he didn’t only score three, he also had another five or six goes at goal which he could have scored from”.
He was impressed both by the stadium and the actual playing surface – which is interesting because is an open secret that United play their best on good surfaces.
Lectures Open to Public
A series of lectures on current financial topics, organised by Dundee University’s department of Economics, accountancy and business finance, will be open to the public.
The lectures, on each Thursday afternoon this month, will take place in the accountancy lecture theatre, 1 Perth Road, at 4 p.m.
This week the series begins with a lecture given by Mr G.A.Stout of the Alliance Trust P.L.C. on “Venture Capital”.
Next week Mr R. Semple of Wood MacKenzie, Ltd, will discuss “The Big Band” – Financial Revolution in the City?”
The following Thursday Mr R.J.M McMaster for the Manchester Exchange Group Ltd, will give “An Introduction to the U.K. Monday Markets”
The last lecture in the series will be given by Jack Martin, small business development officer for the S.D.A. in Dundee, who will lecture on “Finance for Small Firms”.
£200 Raised
Last night Dundee Rotaract Club enjoyed a talk from Inspector Jack Ramsay from Tayside Police headquarters. It was also reported that the Burns supper dance raised around £200 for charity.
Chalmers’ Footwear Sale
Don’t Leave It Too Late To Benefit
Fine Bargains Still Available
168-170 Brook Street, Broughty Ferry
Tel. 74100. Open all week.
72-74 Castle Street, Forfar
Tel 63740, closed on Thursdays.
Top Ten
Singles
1. I Knew You Were Waiting…Franklyn/Michael
2. Heartache….Pepsi and Shirley
3. Shoplifters of the World Unite…The Smiths
4. Almaz….Randy Crawford
5. Down to Earth…Curiosity Killed the Cat
6. Magic Smile….Rosie Vela
7. Male Stripper. Man to Man with Man….Parrish
8. I Love My Radio….Taffy
9. It Doesn’t Have to Be This Way….Blow Monkeys
10. You Sexy Thing….Hot Chocolate.
Videos
1. Cobra (Warner)
2. Commando (CBS/Fox)
3. Highlander (Cannon)
4. Police Academy 3 (Warner)
5. Iron Eagle (R.C.A.)
6. Rocky IV (Warner)
7. Back to the Future (C.I.C.)
8. Jagged Edge (R.C.A.)
9. Police Story (Palace/Premier)
10. Money Pit (C.I.C.)
Now It’s RepRock
Dundee Rep is holding what should be an excellent night of “alternative” music on February 15 to coincide with their new production, “The Slab Boys”
It’s due to start at 8pm with The Wildhouse (whose 50s name fits in with the 1957 setting of the play) and the Junkies playing live, and a disco, too.
The Wildhouse, who describe themselves as a cross between Orange Juice and The Swans, are releasing their first record “The Groovy Me E.P.” on their own label in a few weeks.
The line-up of the Dundee group is Paul (Love) Wilson on country guitar and vocals, John Weir on stand-up drums, vocalist Shee-Shee McGhee, Peter MacMillan on Sterling guitar and bass player Peter Moug.
The Junkies are a local duo who play “fast-moving acoustic country and western”. Sounds like some night!
Sale
Ladies and Mens Anoraks…£5 to £10 off.
Ladies duvet coats…£10 off.
Bodywarmers…£5 off.
Out ‘n’ About
49 Nethergate, Dundee.
(near Angus Hotel).
New Post Draws Many Applicants
The relatively new local authority post of equal opportunities officer is proving a much-sought-after position.
When Dundee District Council advertised their job there were over 70 applicants.
Tayside Regional Council have advertised their £13 000 a-year post and more than 80 applicants have been received.
Yesterday afternoon a special two-woman sub-committee spent nearly two hours considering the applications. They drew up a leet for interview over a couple of days in about three weeks.