Have a look at the attached Frank
The evidence is there, the examples are there and the methodologies are there to prove we can and do make a difference.
The seminar launch of this report was a huge success and the keynote speakers spoke eloquently about the report, about the Impact of Public libraries, but also about how we need to re enforce our work and influence people.
fn
-----Original Message-----
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Frank Black
Sent: 11 July 2005 14:50
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: The parlous state of public libraries
I was fascinated to listen to yet another exposition of the parlous state of British public libraries programme in Sunday's Open Book programme on Radio4.
Although Trevor Knight, Head of Sutton and Miranda McKearney of the Reading Agency were valiant in their attempt to stem the flow, the usual succession of worthy people were wheeled out to recount their own memories of the local library of their youth and caste doubt on the future of libraries.
The presenter, Francis Spufford, managed to mention silence in libraries and to wonder whether libraries might be trying to compete with bookshops.
Alan Bennett said that Philip Larkin was a bit severe when a book was returned late whilst BL CEO, Lyn Brindley, talked about - well, the British Library. Nikesh Arora, head of Google in Europe said that Google's plan to digitize every book would result in increased use of libraries and Philip Pullman said that its good to have a quiet place to study.
As usual, there was no one to say that Hulme Library (Manchester) had a coffee bar in 1966, 16 years before the first Waterstones store opened, or that public libraries have been providing comfortable seating for over 150 years and have been at the forefront of every technological development going. We do the best we can with the money we have. The funds from just one failed government IT project would enable us to do an even better job.
Commentators will continue to be disappointed with the performance of public libraries if we insist on measuring our success in terms of the number of books bought or issued. We must take into account the life enhancing experiences which libraries provide every day - a housebound visit here, a mobile library service there (the only one to call in the village), a play set for an amateur dramatics group, a wide range of large print books, music scores for the youth orchestra - not to mention those local and family history enquiries from around the world! ...and how could any parent possibly keep up with the demand of book hungry children without the range of titles available at their local library.
If we don't find a new way of measuring this ignorant sniping will surely continue.
I just can't wait for the next well researched Guardian article, LIBRI report or TV exposé.
Frank Black
Wiltshire
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