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Yes I believe it's possible Gary, and I think we have examples to prove it. All it requires a national framework which can be applied flexibly at local level. The Summer Reading Challenge is a prime example. A common framework is available for everyone to use as required at local level. Small variations in the offer locally don't matter if the overall message and concept is consistent and we shout about it loudly and all together. Public libraries are already absolutely brilliant at providing customised support to individuals. In fact they are so good at it that it impedes the ability to relay a simple national message. Yet a simple message is what's needed to convey the role and value of the service to everyone else. It should be possible to capitalize on library strengths by emphasizing reading and supported access to information and imaginative writing in our increasingly complex and information overloaded world. Literacy + free information + inspiration is a strong rationale and is completely consistent with a personalized service at local level. Liz Dubber _____ From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Gary Green Sent: 09 June 2010 12:42 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: "a simple message that encapsulates the complexity and value of the universal library offering to society" Some very good points there, Gareth. One thing I find interesting in the whole "What's a library service for?" debate is the suggestion that we need to provide a national public library service, but at the same time cater for local communities, even down to the needs of the individual. How do we build a library service that is standardised throughout the country, but also provides the individual with what they want, especially as individuals often want different things from us? Is it possible? Gary Technical Librarian Virtual Content Team Surrey County Council Tel. 01306-881499 Fax. 01306-743240 Surrey Libraries Twitter: www.twitter.com/surreylibraries Website: www.surreycc.gov.uk/libraries An outstanding council making Surrey a better place Forward thinking - responsive and reliable - working with others - value for money -----Forwarded by Gary Green/COM/SCC on 09/06/2010 12:29PM ----- To: [log in to unmask] From: Gareth Osler <[log in to unmask]> Sent by: "lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries" <[log in to unmask]> Date: 09/06/2010 12:59AM Subject: "a simple message that encapsulates the complexity and value of the universal library offering to society" "...where librarians went wrong is simple. We have failed to agree a simple message that encapsulates the complexity and value of the universal library offering to society. Lacking that simplicity of concept, we have failed to promote what we do." Elspeth Hyams KPMG proposes to reward success - but who is paying for failure? http://tinyurl.com/358xb45 An issue worthy of LIS-PUB-LIBS. I don't think the libraries have failed, I think there is maybe an imperative nowadays that there hasn't been so much in the past - inexpensive books, the Internet, both undermine the traditional role of the library (books and advisory). Relevance in a modern age is not the same as it was 20 years ago. For popular libraries, they could still be of even more value to their patrons moving into the modern age. Libraries losing their readers need to as a matter of urgency reconsider the context. Either way the role of libraries has changed. From a situation where reading was only ever to be found in libraries and bookshops and bookclubs and the newsagent, we now have a very different situation. To compound matters the question is now being asked do we still need libraries [are library staff avoiding this, if they are they are not doing themselves any favours]. Libraries were once a simple concept, but not nowadays, so some thinking is needed. Open any book on the subject of books and reading and literature and the values will pour out. Which doesn't help our our quest for a 'simplicity of concept'. I'm sure it could be done though. It would take a bit of work, and it would be a large work, but the ideas we have on the value of the library I'm sure could be synthesized out into a simpler message and concept. Anyway, to venture fourth my own version of a "a simple message that encapsulates the complexity and value of the universal library offering to society", originally a comment to another of Elspeth's posts, http://tinyurl.com/2ufbzvp- largely off the top of my head, only really a theory, but might start the ball rolling: "Just my own thoughts on this, but the Libraries should be aiming for the support of the public by saying that they have set themselves the task of advising the public on the very best that the libraries can offer them, explaining to the public and politicians that the libraries are currently at a crossroads in shedding the skin of the past, the historical baggage that is now not relevant, with the potential to raise the culture of our communities by orders of maginitude through the new technologies now available to us, but also as the libraries' understanding of itself both as an organisation and as an institution of society continues to advance. If the government makes its vision clear the libraries must then be prepared to define the exact outcomes it will provide and the details (and I mean detail) of how these outcomes will be attained (a mission statement). I think both the public and politicians sense the inate power of the libraries, and the libraries should in return assure the public the '"best people in their fields" from inside and outside government' are leading the libraries. I believe this is possible. The libraries and culture, the ideas and activities of a people, are a key component in the engine of a civilisation, raising ourselves up that ladder on which and as we get higher peoples' needs are increasingly met. Bob McKee points out that any changes in society start at the level of the individual, and libraries work very much at the level of the community and individual. Tim Coates points out that a key to the success of a library is stocking the books the community wants -- so libraries then say to people and in a very personal way, what knowledge, information, stories!, do you value and want. These are the values and the needs of the communiy and the individuals in that community. In this way a library raises the culture of a community. I think it is also intrinsic that the public will expect the senior library managers to be their experts on the ground in the value of the libraries. The following is an article not a million miles away from the subject in the news yesterday: New York Public Library Director Paul LeClerc Testifies at NY City Hall Re: NYPL Budget Cuts http://www.resourceshelf.com/2010/06/04/new-york-public-library-director-pau l-leclerc-testifies-at-ny-city-hall-re-nypl-budget-cuts/" Gareth Osler Library Web http://libraryweb.info <http://libraryweb.info/> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * This email and any attachments with it are intended for the addressee only. It may be confidential and may be the subject of legal and/or professional privilege. If you have received this email in error please notify the sender or [log in to unmask] The content may be personal or contain personal opinions and cannot be taken as an expression of the County Council's position. Surrey County Council reserves the right to monitor all incoming and outgoing mail. 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