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July 15, 2005
Libri comment to DCMS Select Committee response
Given that it has taken the DCMS four months to issue this report, one might have expected more than bland assurances that they had foreseen all the problems identified by the Select Committee, were already implementing the correct measures, and therefore no further action was required.
It displays a lack of leadership to say that extending and implementing key standards - on book loans, materials for the disabled, opening times, value for money, the three "E's", the balance of management and frontline staff, free internet access, and the quality of and response to user consultation - should be left to local authorities. Local authorities are under intense financial pressure and are making the cuts at the points of least resistance. Too often this means libraries. In fulfilling his statutory responsibility of delivering a comprehensive and efficient library service, the Minister must be more creative in devising ways of ensuring delivery which do involve passing the buck to those where the financial pressure is most severe.
It is, of course, always good to see new money provided for libraries.
But we should remember that this £2 million a year for two years represents
just 0.2% of the annual spend on libraries in the UK. We should also
remember that saving £2 million is well within the capability of even a middle-sized library authority which sets out to improve the efficiencies of its book purchasing.
The Libri report - From University to Village Hall 
- could have been written as a response to the Minister's limp comments to the Select Committee's proposals. Of course libraries need £4 million. But more than that they need leadership and direction - and that is what is lacking at both the DCMS and the MLA.
Posted by Philip Pettifor at July 15, 2005 11:07 PM