--------------------------------------------------------------
David
McMenemy
Department
of Computer and Information Sciences
University
of Strathclyde
Glasgow,
Scotland
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The
University of Strathclyde is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with
registration number SC015263.
From:
lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Roy Clare
Sent: 28 August 2008 19:42
To:
[log in to unmask]
Subject: Leadership and the role of
public libraries
I am
sorry, but this thread seems to have lost its way! There may be something we
need to do about CIPFA stats, and I am looking at that. But, please, the
public libraries that I see in all corners of the country are neither
dumbed-down (whatever that catch-all means) nor staffed by despairing people;
in fact, many are inspiring and innovative. The best are moving with the
times, engaging their communities and becoming indispensable to the lives of
real people from ever-wider cultural and social backgrounds.
As an
example, only this week as part of my professional work, I have been inside a
community library that is a product of an enlightened, recent partnership with
adult education. As a result, the library has attracted a correspondingly
wider public and has become an attractive and useful centre for the community;
it has seen a three-fold increase in numbers of daily users in its first six
months, and the figures are still growing.
Incidentally,
the Indicator 9 criteria include informal learners of all kinds; in
addition, ‘best practice’ public libraries ably hook themselves into a range
of other Indicators. But the truth is that good public libraries don’t need
Indicators to prove it; they are well-led, dynamic and engaging; they cover
recreation, informal learning and information; they connect to the needs of
local people, with whom they have engaged.
I
accept that there is much to be done to improve the strategic context for
public libraries through delivering the vision in the MLA’s new Action Plan,
and we are getting on with it. But at a local level, public libraries staff
hung up on perceived better ages past are on a sure-fire route to extinction;
and are an indicator in their own right – of gaps, perhaps, in creativity and
imagination and maybe a telling sign of weak leadership, among other things?
These
shortcomings – if that is what they prove to be – need to be challenged,
because the future of public libraries depends on all of us working together
and fixing the issues. Let’s be quick, though, as there is no one else to do
it for us; we are the people we have been waiting for.
Roy
Roy Clare CBE
Chief
Executive, MLA
The Museums,
Libraries and Archives Council
+44 (0) 207 273
1476
...
promoting best practice ... inspiring innovation
...
Please note our new address
(phone numbers and email addresses unchanged):
MLA, Wellcome Wolfson
Building, 165 Queen's Gate, London, SW7 5HD
If this email
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-----Original
Message-----
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Wylie,
Alan
Sent: 28 August 2008 11:55
To:
[log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: CIPFA changes
etc.
The
education/information role of public libraries has been eroded over the past
few years, Reference Libraries/Depts are being cut back or staffed with
non-professional and untrained staff and the emergence of the 'Ideas Store'
concept hasn't helped matters.
Some of us despair at the dumbing-down of the service
and having to work in jumped up internet cafes.
Islington Central Reference Library
From:
lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries on behalf of Frances Hendrix
Sent:
Thu 28/08/2008 10:57
To:
[log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: CIPFA changes
etc.
It illustrates the
weakness of the bodies you mention to advocate on behalf of, or improve
the perception and treatment of, the public library sector.
Frances
Hendrix
Martin House Farm, Hilltop Lane, Whittle le Woods, Chorley, Lancs
PR6 7QR, UK
tel: 01257 274 833. fax: 01257 266 488
email: [log in to unmask]
----- Original
Message -----
Sent:
Thursday, August 28, 2008 10:54 AM
Subject: CIPFA
changes etc.
We shouldn’t
forget that the government has already decided how the performance of public
libraries will be measured, that is by the single national indicator 9 – Use
of Public Libraries. This will be based on the proportion of adults in a
local authority area who say they have used a public library in the last 12
months. This information will be collected as part of the annual Active
People survey. The definition of use is quite broad except that it includes
this killer phrase
“Note – usage
will only be included if it is done during spare/leisure time, and not as
part of full-time work, formal education or formal volunteering”
It seems to me
that this strikes at the heart of the public library service. Libraries have
always had the threefold role – information, education, recreation. To
perceive them only as a leisure service could be the death knell for the
service.
How this got
through the consultation process with CILIP, MLA, SCL etc I don’t know.
You can read the
full definition on the DCLG website at
http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/localgovernment/doc/739555.doc
(p15)
and the
background at
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/finalnationalindicators
There are other
concerns over this indicator, e.g. cross authority usage, but this one seems
to me most crucial. Is it too late for our leaders to do anything about
it?
Tim
Tim
Parrott
Redevelopment
Project Officer
Liverpool
Libraries and Information Services
Tel: 0151 233
5830
Fax 0151 233
5824
email:
[log in to unmask]
Liverpool
European Capital of Culture 2008
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