This is my first post of the New Year; happy 2011 one and all. The MLA meets with Arts Council tomorrow for the first time at Board level. The agenda is how to ensure that the transition from MLA to ACE this summer can maintain and where possible strengthen the central expertise that can support local government in its hugely difficult task of maintaining comprehensive and efficient public libraries. As a backdrop, it is so encouraging having John's and Debby's strong, timely and insightful advocacy for a progressive 21st C agenda. Public libraries will not be preserved by wishful thinking and aspic. Strive to thrive; recognise the width and breadth of the social opportunities and fight hard to nourish change and embrace development that can serve the whole community, not simply the privileged, mainly white, middle class. These are perspectives that too few commentators - whether journalists or campaigners - care to hear about, still less to understand. Many high-performing public libraries are already out there, in the van, leading the way. New and refurbished libraries have opened in the past year and are being opened all across the country; shame that good news doesn't make headlines! There are services that are 24/7, deeply impressive and in-being today; let's spread that word. Where closures are inappropriate or strategies lack imagination or leadership we in MLA are on hand to help. As I write, we are engaged with a number of Authorities (fewer than 10) currently risking intervention under the Act. That suggests that many, many more are doing a cracking job for their communities despite the odds and amid tough funding. Meanwhile, thanks to John and Debby and others prepared to stand up and be counted among leaders for confident improvement, not hand-wringing despair!! Here's to a dynamic year ahead. Roy Roy Clare CBE Chief Executive Officer Museums Libraries & Archives Council T: +44 (0) 207 273 1476/9 F: +44 (0) 121 345 7303 [log in to unmask] www.mla.gov.uk <http://www.mla.gov.uk/> _____ From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Debby Raven Sent: 09 January 2011 03:49 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Fwd: excellent article:Public Libraries - Not so! I read Joanna Trollope's piece the day before and counted so many 'nostalgic' types of words and phrases that I thought, yet again (as in Joan Bakewell's recent piece) something by a privileged, white middle-aged/elderly woman looking back at a cosy, reassuring, protective, 'staying the same', service is not what is needed at present. And the main article gave the same impression - with a pic of an elderly lady among the bookshelves. Saying that though, a page article is good publicity for the plight of pub. libs. But why such a bad one? Begin forwarded message: From: John Dolan <[log in to unmask]> Date: January 9, 2011 1:24:29 PM BST To: Debby Raven <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: excellent article:Public Libraries - Not so! Reply-To: John Dolan <[log in to unmask]> Hi Frances, I don't think this is especially excellent. Benedicte knows and could do better. - it takes the closures as a given - the picture gives an old-fashioned library image - it doesn't say anything about o the diversity of library services delivered through this and other libraries, notwithstanding the building o children, young people, excluded groups, literacy, digital divide, community needs, rural access etc etc o net access [millions of hours of use], reference online, Enquire, increased borrowing, reader development, summer reading challenge, local and family history, health info', skilled info-searching, research etc etc We still need to get positive information and messages across to people, not least influencers including journalists Look at the efforts of librarians, mostly working in non-public library sectors which is amazing in itself. Look at these presentations for both inspiration and ideas http://prezi.com/if9wccvvunup/escaping-the-echo-chamber/ for - accurate information - a motivated, forward-looking view - a productive, outward-looking approach to advocacy And don't be misled; librarians in all sectors [see CILIP's survey] felt the need for advocacy to support their efforts. Urgent need to - promote "the library idea" - the fundamental common ground shared by libraries in all sectors - promote the benefits of and need for libraries - promote it outside the library community Join http://www.voicesforthelibrary.org.uk/wordpress/ .A new generation of library workers are doing fantastic things. Join them and help ... and tell all your friends and neighbours. John John Dolan OBE, BA, Dip Lib, MCLIP E. [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> Tw @johnrdolan T. 0121 476 4258 M. 07508 204200 _____ From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [ mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Frances Hendrix Sent: 08 January 2011 12:49 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: excellent article:Public Libraries Saturday January 8 2011 The Guardian http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/jan/07/library-closures-brent-counc il 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] _____ No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1191 / Virus Database: 1435/3366 - Release Date: 01/07/11 Debby Raven Freelance Writer & Editor Twitter: @LibraryInfoNews Blog: http://libraryinfonews.co.uk/ 0141 334 6019 07840 753836 74 Marlborough Avenue Glasgow G11 7BH ______________________________________________________________________ Unless stated otherwise the information contained in this e-mail and any attachments is confidential. If you have received it in error, you are on notice of its status. It is intended solely for the addressee. Any unauthorised use is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient please notify the sender immediately and delete the email and any attachments from your system. The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council is a Company Limited by Guarantee, Registered in England, with Company Number 03888251. The Registered Office being : Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, (MLA) Grosvenor House, 14 Bennett's Hill, Birmingham, B2 5RS. 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