There is still a major misconception here which is dangerous, especially if suppliers size on it. Frances seems to imply that, with the exclusion of stock for minority ethnic groups(?),..there would be little difference in the core of most library collections.
Leaving aside what constitutes 'core'...that would be another whole debate...are we really suggesting that with the incredibly huge quantity and variety of audio titles available we are somehow all zooming in on the same small peak of this massive iceberg. Statistically it is more likely that there is more common ground with ethnic audio because the range and quantity is far smaller. Suppliers are always going to be cautious/conservative, irrespective of any spec. we supply. Also can they guarantee that they have access to all the suppliers out there ...including the many specialist ones?
I've worked in libraries for over 35 years..in England and Scotland. The most continuously requested item I have ever experienced..book or audio...is the Harry Smith Anthology of American Folk Music...continuously reserved for almost 3 years in Edinburgh..even with 2 copies!
Can I really anticipate a supplier providing me, unasked, with an £80 6CD box set of bootleg quality American recordings from 1927 - 1935 ...even if they know it is the Holy Grail of Western popular music.
There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio...
Best
Garry
-----Original Message-----
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Frances Hendrix
Sent: 23 July 2007 09:18
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Audio Visual Supplier Selection
I have missed where I or anyone has suggested the PwC Better Stock programme would increase issues., and I agree issues are the NOT the only indicator of a good service.
However if librarians had less time spent on routine work they could spend more time on developing reading and other activities, engaging more with non and disaffected readers, and this in turn could actually put up issues. The fact that issues counting is so highlighted is due to the fact that Impart and Value measures are either not used by libraries (not all of them any way), and when they are they are not promoted sufficiently to indicate the impact the total library service has on a community.
f
-----Original Message-----
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Peter Hebdon
Sent: 23 July 2007 09:01
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Audio Visual Supplier Selection
The point has been missed, I never said that we were doing anything wrong, what I said was where was the evidence that supplier select and centralised buying in the MLA model was going to improve issues!
Peter Hebdon
Senior Librarian, Fiction & Reader Development
Wallsend Library
Ferndale Road
Wallsend
NE28 7NB
Tel: 0191 200 6968
Fax: 0191 200 6967
Email: [log in to unmask]
Unless otherwise stated, opinions, conclusions and other information expressed in this message are personal and not those of North Tyneside Council
David McMenemy
<[log in to unmask] To:
[log in to unmask]
RATH.AC.UK> cc: (bcc:
Peter Hebdon/Cultural Services/ECS/ntc)
Sent by: Subject: Re: Audio
Visual Supplier Selection
"lis-pub-libs: UK
Public Libraries"
<LIS-PUB-LIBS@JISCMAIL
.AC.UK>
20/07/2007 16:34
Please respond to
David McMenemy
Why does it HAVE to be the destination of choice? Why do you assume that library issues are decreasing because we are doing something wrong?
I'm afraid I'm with Archibald MacLeish when he says:
"What is more important in a library than anything else - than everything else - is the fact that it exists."
We've been enlightened enough for 150 years to understand that. What's changed?
> Are issues the bee all and end all of what a 21st century library is
> all about
>
> The competition out there for reading material is quite severe, it is
> easy to go else where. How are we going to make libraries the
> destination of choice?
>
> Library staff have had the decisions for 150 years, and we are where
> we are?
> f
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Peter Hebdon
> Sent: 20 July 2007 15:00
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Audio Visual Supplier Selection
>
> I have followed this thread with interest, and now have some
questions:
>
> Some libraries may still have large staffing budgets but others have
> already made savings in this area and increased opening hours, so on
> what basis are these 'savings' going to be made.
>
> How can someone based somewhere in the country buy not just for 149
> library authorities but all their service points, without simply
> making us another branch of Borders or Waterstones, you can write as
> many profiles as you want it will never replace the knowledge and
> expertise of the people on the spot.
>
> Given that we are all trying to raise issues, what evidence that this
> centralised buying will increase issues?
> Experiments with fiction via 'Branching Out' do not appear conclusive
> in this area.
>
> I would suggest that the MLA and others should for once actually let
> the library staff, librarians etc decide for themselves how we will
> deliver our service to our communities, as many of the ideas come from
> people with little or no knowledge of how libraries work and interact
> with their communities.
>
> Peter Hebdon
> Senior Librarian, Fiction & Reader Development
>
> Wallsend Library
> Ferndale Road
> Wallsend
> NE28 7NB
>
> Tel: 0191 200 6968
> Fax: 0191 200 6967
> Email: [log in to unmask]
>
> Unless otherwise stated, opinions, conclusions and other information
> expressed in this message are personal and not those of North Tyneside
> Council
>
>
>
>
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