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"We've been enlightened enough for 150 years to understand that. What's changed?" The total political climate surrounding and effecting libraries that's what's changed. Todays public libraries exist within very complex and diverse socio-economic constructs ie local authorities. Our priorities are shaped by internal and external political agendas often completely outside of our control or influence. I have worked in a variety of libraries controlled by different political parties who have given very different steers on how policy should progress. Coupled with that libraries are often moved internally between different directorates (Education, Leisure, Adult Services, Community Services etc etc) Again our priorities are regularly amended to fit into the new structure. Libraries today just do not exist as separate philosophical entities (if they ever did). I may not agree with this but that is the hard reality. David Tanner Unless otherwise stated, opinions, conclusions and other information expressed in this message are personal and not those of North Yorkshire County Council >>> On 20/07/2007 at 4:34 pm, in message <[log in to unmask]>, David McMenemy <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > 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." > > > >> 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 >> >> >> >> >> This email has been scanned for viruses and inappropriate content by >> Clearswift MIMEsweeper service. North Tyneside Council does not >> guarantee this email to be free of any viruses. It is the responsibility >> of the recipient to ensure that this message and any attachments are >> virus free. >> WARNING This E-mail and any attachments may contain information that is confidential or privileged, and is intended solely for the use of the named recipient. If you are not the intended recipient, please be aware that any disclosure, copying, distribution or any action taken is prohibited and may be unlawful. Any opinions expressed are those of the author and not necessarily the view of the Council. North Yorkshire County Council.