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Taking up the Boris plan would be a step along the road to disassociate public libraries from being *council*/local authority services. Not all UK public libraries are run by councils/LAs of course but most are. So perhaps this is a move to a more diverse (and older) biz model for public libraries? Perhaps more along the lines of the US?
The Minns blog makes a case for libraries very much as integral with local authority services—‘one-stop-shop’ etc.
Ken
CEO, Ken Chad Consulting Ltd
Tel +44 (0)7788 727 845. Email: [log in to unmask] www.kenchadconsulting.com
Skype: kenchadconsulting Twitter: @KenChad
Open Library Systems Specifications: http://libtechrfp.wikispaces.com
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mick Fortune
Sent: 14 January 2011 07:02
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: London Mayor proposing new biz model for some London public Libraries
Hi Ken
From (usually reliable) gossip it's not the New York connection, it's because Tim Coates told him to do it. Whatever the reason it is an idea that begs further analysis.
Having read the story in two different places I am unclear whether the £2million is for running the libraries - with volunteer staff(?) - as Buckinghamshire are struggling to do in Chalfont St Giles and elsewhere - or just part of the general fund for Team London. I'm not sure how much asset value even £2 million represents in terms of removing expensive buildings from council asset registers. Perhaps the Library Alliance are poised to buy up the threatened libraries and take over?
How will the rest of the country respond one wonders? Perhaps some will follow Councillor Minns (leader of Hull city council) example as reported earlier in the week.
Mick
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ken Chad
Sent: 14 January 2011 00:16
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: London Mayor proposing new biz model for some London public Libraries
I wonder if this was influenced by the model of New York Public Library –after all Boris was born in New York
From the bookseller ‘
‘Boris Johnson is set to announce plans tonight (Thursday 13th January) to set up a trust to run libraries in London that are at risk of closure, the London Evening Standard website reports. The trust would be run by Team London, which Johnson is establishing this summer to bring together all his mentoring and volunteering projects. Private donors have already contributed £2m for the trust, with banks and individuals set to be asked to top up funds’.
Ken
CEO, Ken Chad Consulting Ltd
Tel +44 (0)7788 727 845. Email: [log in to unmask] www.kenchadconsulting.com
Skype: kenchadconsulting Twitter: @KenChad
Open Library Systems Specifications: http://libtechrfp.wikispaces.com
Some presentation on Slideshare: http://www.slideshare.net/kenchad
