Hi Phil
I agree that the lack of library profile at this conference is a big
disappointment especially as Age UK contributed to recent research mapping
the extent and impact of the health and well being activity of public
libraries (MLA, 2010).
There are some really exciting developments underway that we need to be
talking about on platforms such as this. Alongside, important local library
partnerships, The Reading Agency is currently working with Age UK on the
development of a national social reading programme for older people and
training for older people as reading champions. As I am sure you are aware,
we have also worked with SCL West Midlands to pilot a public library reading
and health offer that is about to be rolled out more widely. This is very
much designed as a tool for libraries to advocate the value of their
services and support partnership development with a wide range of health and
social care organisations.
Your posting has prompted me to try to remedy this conference gap for next
year. I am very much hoping that The Reading Agency will be able to secure a
future slot to talk about the work of libraries in this area.
Debbie Hicks
The Reading Agency
----- Original Message -----
From: "Philip Jones" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, June 24, 2011 11:19 AM
Subject: Surprising absence of libraries from Age UK conference
Dear All
I recieved a news e-mail from GoON:ND11 this morning which included
information about the Age UK conference for 2011 entitled "Services for
later life": http://www.ageuk.org.uk/SFLL
I had a quick look to see whether there were any mentions of libraries or
library faces in the programme but unfortunately not. It feels like a
surprising omission seeing as senior citizens are traditionally strong
library users and recent media coverage would presumably make libraries a
hot topic. It's probably too late to do anything about it now but someone
should really be looking at these kinds of conferences (especially where
they're run by such a prominent partner of many library services) and making
sure libraries get a look-in.
This isn't a dig at CILIP because I think they've been doing remarkably well
at advocating for libraries of late but it's surely a sign that we're
lacking in influence generally. A properly national library service with one
library card and a strong brand would have real clout and wouldn't have to
rely on the MLA, DCMS, CILIP or the Arts Council to scrap around for
recognition it deserved. 151 different library services in a small country
is ludicrous and the growth of the London Libraries Consortium shows it's
possible to at least make moves in this direction.
Phil Jones
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