This is all good stuff. However I fail to understand why this has to be said
now, when Cilip were part of the consultation Group for the Framework
Document, and a major stakeholder in the process? Were the arguments not put
forcefully and clearly enough then? If they were they were obviously
ignored?
Frances Hendrix
----- Original Message -----
From: "Hanstock, Terry" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, March 19, 2003 2:12 PM
Subject: FW: MEDIA RELEASE: CLEAR WATER BETWEEN CILIP AND MINISTER ON PUBL
IC LIBRARY RESOURCING
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Tim Owen [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 19 March 2003 12:54
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: MEDIA RELEASE: CLEAR WATER BETWEEN CILIP AND MINISTER ON PUBLIC
> LIBRARY RESOURCING
>
> MEDIA RELEASE
> Wednesday 19 March 2003
> For immediate release (Please copy to online discussion lists)
>
> CLEAR WATER BETWEEN CILIP AND MINISTER ON PUBLIC LIBRARY RESOURCING
>
> CILIP London Book Fair briefing reveals significant differences of
approach
> to public library service development
>
> There is clear water between CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library
and
> Information Professionals and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport
> (DCMS) over the future of public libraries. The extent of the gap was
> revealed at a special CILIP Executive Briefing at the London Book Fair on
> Tuesday March 18. Core funding, development planning and performance
> measurement are key areas of difference.
>
> Libraries Minister Baroness Blackstone provoked disagreement with senior
> public librarians at the briefing by declaring that implementing the
vision
> of the DCMS strategy document Framework for the Future was "not
necessarily
> about new money". Instead, the Minister challenged library authorities to
> "make the best use of the enormous amount of current money" in developing
> new services tailored to their users' needs.
>
> Pointing out that local authorities had received a 6% overall funding
> increase, and that it was for local authorities - "not central diktat" -
to
> decide how it should be spent, Baroness Blackstone urged public libraries
to
> work more closely with other local services such as education, and to
expand
> consortium purchasing. She also said that she wanted to hear from the
> public library community about how to get the message of the value of the
> service across to local authorities.
>
> Acknowledging that "the unprecedented government attention given to public
> libraries is a good thing," CILIP's Chief Executive Bob McKee called
> Framework for the Future "a promising start". But he was disappointed at
the
> report's failure to mention the need for sustainable funding for
initiatives
> such as the People's Network, or to tackle the "dysfunctional division"
> between DCMS as the Department responsible for public library services in
> England, and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister as the source of
> funding. Reinforcing the message that public libraries had faced years of
> under-investment, he added: "There is no substitute for adequate core
> funding."
>
> Dr McKee also expressed concern at the "enfeebling" of public library
> services that would result from their reduced weighting as an indicator in
> the new local authority Comprehensive Performance Assessments. Warning of
> the risk that local authorities were more likely to allocate resources
away
> from lower weighted services, he expressed concern at the government's
> proposal to phase out Annual Library Plans and review Public Library
> Standards. They had "helped to raise the profile of the service within
> local authorities and to remind councillors that this was a statutory
> service," he said, " and in a number of cases this has resulted in better
> funding for the local library service." Dr McKee also called on
government
> to provide a new funding stream for public libraries - a Standards Fund or
a
> Lottery fund - to help counter the legacy of under-investment in the
> service.
>
> "Development planning, performance management, investment strategy - these
> three tests will clarify, before the next General Election, whether the
> Government is serious or just paying lip service," Dr McKee concluded.
>
> Interviews with Bob McKee and others, recorded in advance for the BBC
Radio
> 4 Today programme in anticipation of the CILIP briefing, were subsequently
> crowded out by the dramatic international and Parliamentary events of the
> previous day. Nevertheless, the media remain very interested in the
public
> library service, and we've "flagged up CILIP's involvement with this
issue,"
> Dr McKee concluded. "CILIP will continue to do what it can to press the
> government on the three tests of their seriousness about public library
> service."
>
> Contact: Tim Owen, Head of External Relations.
> Tel: 020 7255 0652. Email: [log in to unmask]
>
>
> Notes to Editors
>
> CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals is
> the leading professional body for librarians, information specialists and
> knowledge managers, with around 23,500 members working in all sectors,
> including business and industry, science and technology, further and
higher
> education, schools, local and central government, the health service, the
> voluntary sector, national and public libraries.
>
> CILIP's goals are to: position the profession at the heart of the
> information revolution; develop and enhance the role and skills of all its
> Members; present and champion those skills, together with new ones which
> will be acquired through continuing professional development; and ensure
> that individuals, enterprises and not for profit organisations have ready
> and timely access to the information they need.
>
> - Ends -
>
>
> <<030319lbf.DOC>>
>
> Tim Owen, Head of External Relations
> CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals
> 7 Ridgmount St, London WC1E 7AE.
> Direct line: +44 (0)20 7255 0652
> Email: [log in to unmask]
>
> Umbrella 2003 ~ 3 - 5 July ~ UMIST, Manchester
> The one event for information professionals you can't afford to miss -
> sessions, exhibition, plenaries, social events - see
> www.umbrella2003.org.uk. Register before 15 April to take advantage of
the
> earlybird rates. Email <mailto:[log in to unmask]> for a brochure and
> registration form.
>
>
>
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