CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals
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News from CILIP
Tuesday 24 May 2005
For immediate release (Please copy to online discussion lists)
Good news on public library use highlights need for investment says leading library organisation
14 million increase in visits is "payback time" for public library modernisation
CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals has welcomed the news of a 14 million increase in public library visits in 2003/04. However it also warned that these results reinforced the need for increased investment in public library buildings and book stock.
"I hope it is indicative of the good things to come that the first act of David Lammy, as the new Minister for Culture, was to reveal on Friday the latest statistics showing a substantial increase in the number of visits to public libraries," commented CILIP's President Elect and Director of Cultural & Community Services in Derbyshire, Martin Molloy. "I look forward to working with the Minister in future and celebrating many more successes."
Also welcoming the findings, which were published last week by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, CILIP's Chief Executive Bob McKee added: "This is payback time for the immense amount of work that library staff have put in to modernise their services over the last few years. The introduction of the People's Network has been an undoubted success, alongside other initiatives such as an increase in opening hours."
But there are downsides to the latest statistics as well, confirming that the steep decline in book loans continues. "There is no room for complacency," Mr Molloy continued. "Public libraries need to transform themselves if they are to meet the demands, and potential demands, of today. But the good news is that, when investment is put into public libraries, there is an impressive return."
Agreeing on the need for continued investment, Bob McKee said: "The recent report of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee made a clear case for increased investment in public library buildings and in the bookstock of local public library services. I do hope that the new Minister gives serious consideration to the recommendations in that report." CILIP was very willing to help DCMS take forward recommendations made in the Select Committee report, he continued.
Adding that he would prefer Government's response to be late - even after the Parliamentary recess - rather than being a hasty reaction, Dr McKee confirmed that CILIP remained committed to helping public libraries achieve the vision set out in the 2003 Department of Culture, Media & Sport report 'Framework for the Future'. He concluded: "We believe that with the appropriate investment, there will be many more good news stories coming from public libraries in the future."
Contact: Tim Buckley Owen, Head of Membership, Marketing & Media.
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Notes to Editors
CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals is the leading professional body for librarians, information specialists and knowledge managers. It forms a community of around 35,000 people engaged in library and information work, of whom around 23,000 are CILIP Members and around 12,000 are regular customers of CILIP Enterprises.
CILIP members work in all sectors, including business and industry, science and technology, further and higher education, schools, local and central government, the health service, the voluntary sector, national and public libraries. For more information about CILIP, please go to www.cilip.org.uk.
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