>Main decisions following consultation
>
> * we will establish a new national body for libraries, museums and
>archives, to be called the
> Museums, Libraries and Archives Council
>
.........
>
>We have considered carefully the views expressed in the consultation on the
>case for merging the Museums and Galleries
>Commission and the Library and Information Commission; we believe that the
>arguments in favour of bringing the two sectors
>together are sound. However, rather than merge the two bodies, we believe it
>would be better to create an entirely new body
>which would also encompass the archives sector. Archives share many
>functions of museums and libraries, and their inclusion in
>the new body will enable a more holistic approach to be taken on key
>strategic issues. The new body will also incorporate the
>functions of the current Advisory Council on Libraries.
>
In other words, "we had already made our minds up and have chosen to ignore
all the comments that said this was a silly idea."
The profession must make the best of this decision and must work to ensure
that the new LMAC keeps its eye on, and supports all library and
information matters, but the decision does make a bit of a mockery of the
idea that the earlier document was a consultation document.
Professor Charles Oppenheim
Dept of Information and Library Studies
Loughborough University
Loughborough
Leics LE11 3TU
01509-223065
Fax 01509-223053
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