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June 22, 2006
The Minister cajoles
In several comments this week the Minister has argued that responsibility for the public library service lies with local authorities and they must be left alone to determine their own destiny.
I would be uncomfortable to be the Minister who presides over the end of our public library service or the decimation of its collection of books. Allowing local authorities to be responsible and accountable doesn't mean that a Minister can wash his hands of the need to influence and lead. He can use the authority of his position to oblige people to listen, to face problems, to make proper analysis and to seek improvement. Leadership in a democracy is not about giving prescriptive solutions: it is about clarity of vision, encouragement, energy and persistence- as it is in most things.
In the article below, it is a political gesture of the most unimaginative kind to recall Tory governments of the past; and while it is right to observe that the current problems of library services lie as much in Tory councils as in Labour ones, it is plainly the Minister's job to find ways to address those problems on behalf of the public. Otherwise why do we have a Minister? And why do we have Ministry and a Quango- if they are unable to influence the service for the better? Far from being a "Ministry that is not fit for purpose" this is a Ministry that has no purpose.
Come on Minister, I fear that even Perkins, the library cat, could do better. If my experience of working with local councils is anything to go by "cajoling" them, as he suggests, is the least productive route forwards and always has been. A little help would be more practical, but you can only do that if you know how.
22 June 2006
The Bookseller
Lammy strikes back at the Tories
Katherine Rushton
Minister for Culture David Lammy has hit back at the Tory party following calls by his Conservative shadow Hugo Swire MP for councils to seize control of the library service.
Speaking at a Laser Foundation conference this week, Lammy said: "I would remind the Tories that when they were in power, hundreds of libraries were closed and budgets were slashed." Many of the authorities currently looking at library closures are under Conservative control, he added.
His comments came after an attack by Swire at a Tory forum on libraries in the House of Commons last week, in which he accused the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Museums, Libraries and Archives council of a "lack of leadership". Swire called on Tory councils to form a new steering group: "We will be bringing together Conservative local authorities to develop a strategy for developing and improving the service that is delivered," he said.
The current set-up also came under fire at the Tory forum from Headline author and Conservative party "A-list" candidate Louise Bagshawe, who vehemently attacked the low percentage of library funds currently directed to books. "Nine per cent is a pretty bad figure," she said. "We are making a terrible mistake."
The attention surrounding libraries has reached fever pitch in the past 10 days, as Lammy has been called to account over planned library closures in the UK. Desmond Clarke, head of libraries charity Libri and former Faber director, said: "I think the Conservatives are smelling blood."
Lammy said on Monday that he regrets the row: "I wish that these things weren't so political, because I think this is beyond political." He added that he would continue to "cajole" failing authorities to raise their standards.
Posted by Tim Coates at June 22, 2006 10:49 PM