PRESS RELEASE
PUBLIC LIBRARY DRAFT STANDARDS
SUPPORT FROM LIBRARIANS
Delegates at a recent CPI Seminar on the DCMS draft standards for public
libraries agreed the following communique.
The Seminar
- unanimously welcomes the publication of the draft Standards for Modern
Public Libraries;
- congratulates the DCMS and its partners on this initiative in promoting
the improvement of public library services in England and for facilitating
widespread consultation;
- looks forward to the final version of the standards due for publication
later this year.
The Seminar
- fully supports both the principles which underlie the 24 draft standards
and the overall framework of the Standards and Intervention Points;
- acknowledges that the standards represent the start of an ongoing process
of developing best practice in the delivery of library services to local
people, both users and non-users;
- puts forward four points which delegates identified as being particular
issues for consideration by DCMS.
These are:
- given the Government's policies on lifelong learning, the desirability of
including standards which relate to library services to children, based on
'Investing in children' (1995);
- concern as to the robustness of the standard relating to the proportion
of professional staff, given the range and variety of library services and
the skills and competencies required of staff in the context of the
People's Network;
- endorsement of the recognition in the draft standards that more work
needs to be done on the methodology for measuring the quality of bookstock
and ensuring an adequate choice of reading materials for children and
adults;
- the need to ensure consistency and avoidance of anomalies within the
package of standards.
The Seminar agreed to issue this communique to encourage all interested
parties, including local people and other users of libraries, to send
comments on the draft standards to Peter Beauchamp at the DCMS by 3 July.
Notes for Editors
1. The Seminar 'Setting New Standards: the way ahead for public libraries',
organised by Capital Planning Information (CPI), was held at Stamford on 8
June 2000. 48 delegates attended and 39 public library authorities were
represented. The communique is based on the contributions of the delegates
at the Seminar, and does not necessarily represent the views of individual
authorities or of other organisations.
2. 'Comprehensive and Efficient - Standards for Modern Public Libraries: A
Consultation Paper'. Department for Culture, Media and Sport, May 2000.
Tel: 020 7211 6128.
<http://www.culture.gov.uk/heritage/library_standards.html>
3. Views on the draft standards should be sent Peter Beauchamp, Chief
Library Adviser, DCMS, 2-4 Cockspur Street, London SW1Y 5DH, by Monday 3
July 2000.
4. CPI, established in 1976, is a consultancy and research company
specialising in the field of library and information services. For further
information on projects, publications or seminars contact David Barton or
Anne Sugg at CPI Limited, 91 High Street, Bruton, Somerset, UK, BA10 0BH.
Tel:44(0)1749 812963, Fax: 44(0)1749 812964,
Email: [log in to unmask]
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