No, I just have the definition which is 'wide-ranging' and could be used on a geographical level as well as a resource level.



I couldn't possibly go into this at a greater level, I simply do not have the time at work to write such long emails and have such long discussions!  Sorry.



Ian Clark

Library Systems Officer,

Augustine House,

Canterbury Christ Church University



Email: [log in to unmask]

Tel. 01227 767700 ext 3141





-----Original Message-----

From: Gareth Osler [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 

Sent: 18 March 2011 16:40

To: [log in to unmask]

Subject: Re: On the meaning of 'comprehensive' (Public Libraries and Museums Act, 1964)



Ian, Martyn,



Can you cite anything behind your argument?  I must admit I thought about it, but:



1) I couldn't find any usage of the word comprehensive that was geographical in nature, but found it to be in general use for a number of decades prior to the 1964 Act  in an education context with a 'full range of education' sense of the word (I can find citations for this if needed).



2) The word 'service' is not a geographical term, rather "work done by one person or group that benefits another", surely comprehensive means in this respect then?  (As in 'comprehensive education', it is the education offered that is comprehensive.)



2) Quoting Library Review, Winter 1964 (full citation in the original post):



<<What is meant by "comprehensive" in this context is at least indicated in the Act , when library authorities are urged to "have regard for the desirability"  of providing "books and other printed matter, and pictures, gramophone records, films and other materials, sufficient in number, range and quality to meet the general requirements of both adults and children".>>



That should actually include as well "and any special requirements", not sure why it doesn't.  It might possibly also be worth while studying any records remaining from the committees that surround the Act, i.e., where the Act was derived from (an item for recommendations I think).  I think you can see at this point anyway why I concluded that it was the library service itself that was the object of the sentence.



On your point of the rural libraries Ian, a few thoughts off the top of my head:



1) The council has to provide its service equitably, so people get a fair share of the service for the rates they pay (they can't receive less of a service than others, at least in financial terms).  (I can dig out the name of the campaigner who had concluded this if anyone needs a citation.)



2) It is a statutory service, so the council does have to meet the needs necessary to use the service.  (I think I remember a senior civil servant or possibly minister saying this in the press, cannot find my bookmark at this point though.)



3) As it is a statutory service, in the same manner that if a school is closed there would be uproar if children found they did not have an alternative, library users must have reasonable access to the library service in this respect also.



4) As Wirral illustrates, even if a small library and not with brilliant issues, the value to the community of the library extends much further than the statistics the council has available (the value to parents and children, the value to local house prices, etc. etc. - I think people even value the fact that while they maybe do not use the library often, those that do and that go on to make a significant contribution to society need the library as a key stepping stone), the community are essentially well within their rights to say to the council, although you would prefer to maybe centralize library services, we actually value our small local library more than you realize given the facts and figures you have, and you are instructed to maintain the local library.  This more or less happened on Wirral, and as long as there is a reasonable alternative, then the council have to follow the instructions so to speak of its electorate (so petitions, stories, advocacy, indications of how much less people will use the library service if closed, etc. are all important here).



5) I do feel the electorate have a right also to say to a council, we have worked long and hard to bring our library service up to the level it is at, we do not want you to take us back to [however long ago it was that the libraries were at the level of the cuts].



However I'm not sure what the following is all about, I can comment on library legislation, but not the higher level local authority laws:



"I am satisfied that we are acting in accordance with our statutory duties – we do need to balance them all, so the one in relation to providing a comprehensive and efficient library service and the one requiring you to pass a balanced budget!"

http://ventnorblog.com/2011/03/17/davina-fiores-legal-advice-on-libraries-revealed/#ixzz1Gy97Ff5I