Where else can people get expert access to information
without paying a consultant, or get help with IT, or any other of a
myriad
of socially useful things?

The implication that 'backroom work' is unskilled, unnecessary 
processing that could be done by machine is an insult to cataloguers and

classifiers who work hard to ensure that access to information is
appropriate
and optimal for the people who use their information service,
whether it is a public library or not.  It is not equivalent to the work
done
in a bookshop to get a book on the shelf for sale. When is the last time
you walked in to a bookshop and found a sensible subject arrangement
that allowed you (or a salesperson who should know the stock) to find a 
book not listed in alphabetical order by author?

The whole people's network was initiated as a response to the 
recognition that a nation needs an ICT literate population,
preferably also as information literate as possible.

This isn't entirely philanthropic on the part of government-
in the same way as school meals were introduced after 
the discovery of the shocking state of nutrition of the working class
during conscription, so the people's network was introduced to 
ensure that the UK would stand a chance of being competitive
in a global market that we cannot compete in any longer, 
in terms of manufacturing.

Yes, it would be nice if public libraries could maintain and 
improve bookstock at anything near the same levels I remember in the 70s
when I first started using the Carnegie library in Benwell, Newcastle.

But there is no way this could possibly happen on current budgets,
and certainly not without taking funding away from what the government
sees
as the socially necessary project of ensuring equitable access to IT and
electronically-
accessible information.  The people's network is much cheaper than
providing
subsidised PCs (which would be more effective in providing truly
equitable access),
so libraries will have to continue to support it, whatever Tim Coates
wants.

The Libri report was terrible marketing/PR for libraries- the way to get
more
money is to point out how well you are doing with what you have,
and give examples of how much better you could do with a little more.
If you have a good track record, you stand a better chance of being
believed.

Maybe the intention of the Libri report was to encourage more funding
for libraries,
but the effect of all the adverse publicity may not coincide with this.

CILIP may have made a valiant effort to counter this gloomy publicity-
I hope it's going to be enough.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: A general Library and Information Science list for news 
> and discussion. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of 
> Vallance, Dawn
> Sent: 29 April 2004 17:43
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Libri report on public libraries
> 
> 
> Emma,
> You make an interesting point.  Libri's report doesn't take 
> into the fact
> that libraries are, and have always been, more than just 
> about their lending
> stock. As far as I can see the report doesn't take account of 
> the fact that
> libraries provide access to information via the (mostly free) People's
> Network. In the age of ICT this is increasingly how people 
> seek information
> but where is the recognition in Mr Coates report?
> 
> Dawn
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Emma Shaw [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 29 April 2004 13:50
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Libri report on public libraries
> 
> 
> I think the reason why it has gained so much publicity is that
> information is a big thing these days especially in terms of
> government policy and the so called information society. People are
> wanting information more than ever before.
> 
> Obviously it really depends on what borough you live in and how much
> money they have. Some councils I guess have other priorities for what
> money is spent on and some boroughs have to cater for different needs
> which in some areas there are many and take up a lot of their budget
> and therefore have to make cuts in hours etc to save money. Some
> councils are so in debt libraries are the least of their worries.
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Emma
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> >Dear colleagues
> >
> >I agree with the sentiments of this letter but would 
> respectfully suggest
> >the writer move somewhere more civilised. I too am a 
> qualified librarian
> and
> >have worked in a variety of sectors although never in a 
> public library. I
> >have recently moved to Willesden Green, in the London 
> Borough of Brent,
> >where my public library is open on Saturdays and Sundays. 
> When I dropped in
> >last Sunday, on a particularly sunny afternoon, I was amazed 
> at the number
> >of people studying and reading the journals. The staff have 
> also been very
> >helpful providing information about local services.
> >
> >I understand that the Libri study was conducted in one small 
> region only.
> >Why is it receiving so much publicity? And why are some 
> regions so much
> >better at providing realistic library services than others? 
> Any thoughts
> >anyone?
> >
> >Michelle Homden
> >Information Officer
> >Prisoners Abroad
> >
> >[log in to unmask]
> >tel: 020 7561 6873
> >www.prisonersabroad.org.uk
> >
> >Prisoners Abroad is the only charity providing practical support and
> >campaigning for the welfare of Britons held abroad. 
> Registered charity no.
> >1093710
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: Shafika Abbasi [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> >Sent: 29 April 2004 13:10
> >To: [log in to unmask]
> >Subject: Re: Libri report on public libraries
> >
> >
> >Letter published in today's Guardian.
> >Hear, hear.
> >
> >SA
> >
> >
> >
> >Thursday April 29, 2004
> >The Guardian
> >
> >I am one of the millions who rarely use public libraries 
> (British libraries
> >could shut by 2020, April 28). How ironic, then, that I have 
> also spent the
> >past 15 years as a qualified librarian in the private and 
> public sectors.
> >This is because my local library is closed when I leave for 
> work and closed
> >when I get home. Its books and computers remain firmly 
> closed to the public
> >on two whole weekdays.
> >It is time the profession took its head out of the sand and 
> started to give
> >the public what they want: more books, longer opening hours and a
> >customer-friendly service.
> >
> >London
> >
> >_________________________________________________________________
> >Stay in touch with absent friends - get MSN Messenger
> >http://www.msn.co.uk/messenger
> 
> 
> --
> Emma Shaw
> Resources Assistant
> Science & Information Services (Library)
> Cancer Research UK
> 44 Lincoln's Inn Fields
> London
> WC2A 3PX
> 
> Email: [log in to unmask]
> 
> Tel: 020 7269 3587
> Fax: 020 7269 3084
> 
> 
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