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May 5, 2006
Libraries in London: MLA London : Prize on offer
Yesterday I reported the closing down of the "London Libraries Development Agency". This evening I can also report the closing of yet another agency which could have been working to improve the library service in London but which appears to have done nothing throughout the whole of its existence. This is called MLA London. Whatever this outfit was supposed to do I found an explanation of the closure on its (now defunct) website which says
"25.09.05
How do archives, libraries and museums form meaningful and sustainable relationships that meet the needs of their local communities?
There are several existing models of best practice in community participation for the archive, museum and library sector. These initiatives tend to address the main processes involved in developing service delivery to specific community groups.
However, evidence suggests that there is a gap between what archives, libraries and museums understand by community participation and what are the realities of community need"
My sponsors are offering a prize for the best translation of this statement into English (or any other language). I think it means "Please pass the smoked salmon sandwiches".
They had fine offices, too, in Clerkenwell, which is very smart.
Posted by Perkins at May 5, 2006 7:01 PM
Comments
Well, it is all very well saying (as did a previous commenter) that Ken should be given power to work for London libraries, as he has been Mayor for so long but does not seem to have done much yet.
What an illiterate mission statement for the MLA -- at first I thought the acronym was MIA, for which "missing in action" would be appropriate.
What about the famous London "literary mafia" (Harold Pinter et al)? Will they throw their weight behind this goal? Melvyn Bragg?
I would have thought it would be ideal for some politician to take up as a campaign because it won't cost much. Seems to me that Tony Blair (or anyone who happens to be PM) would love to do something that is obviously good but doesn't cost them. If Tony Blair wants to rehabilitate himself, he could introduce a universal library card for Britain (let's not be small minded and stick to just London!) and go down in the history books....
Posted by: Maxine Clarke at May 9, 2006 10:12 PM