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August 21, 2006
Liverpool
Further to the entry below about Liverpool libraries turning themselves into internet cafes and health centres.
Last year the libraries in Liverpool reduced their evening opening hours and as a result the most recent published figures show that book lending in the city declined by 25% in one year.
People talk about "lack of leadership" in the public library service. It is right that each council is held responsible for delivering a high standard of libraries, but wrong that the library fraternity in each council feels able (and is permitted) to decide its own version of what a public library is. That comes about because there is a vacuum of leadership and clarity in the DCMS and MLA and with the current regime there isn't sufficient credibility in what is said to change that.
Library authorities should not be permitted to and should not receive central government or lottery funding for transforming the buildings of the library service to some other function than providing a decent library service.
No training machines.
Posted by Tim Coates at August 21, 2006 8:23 AM
Comments
Long live Tim's regular readers, and good libraries! I'll bet there are many local councillors and senior people in the library service reading this blog, too. Please respond, discuss, debate!! Please use your position, authority, and skills to turn the tide for British libraries. When you do so, there will be a host of people ready with support, praise, votes, and toasted teacakes.
Posted by: Karen Christensen at August 21, 2006 10:54 AM
Just to confirm the accuracy of the Private Eye story here is the transcript of an online enquiry session with Liverpool library:
Chat Transcript: I have just read in The Good library Blog that" Private Eye that the Liverpool Library has 'invested ?12,000 in five 'muscle toning' stations to be installed next to the computing area and used by people queuing for internet access'. Fitness instructors will be on hand (at further cost presumably) to demonstrate the equipment. Also 'the city plans to roll-out the idea into branch libraries next' Please tell me this is not true!
Librarian: Hi welcome to Enquire yes what you've heard is true I'll check it out and get back to you
Librarian: It is all part of their refurbishment for Capital of Culture. We will checj details for you. It may take a few minutes.
Librarian: They will be mini gymns and at the moment are only confined to the Central Library in William Brown Street. It was reported in the Liverpool Daily Post a few weeks ago. Would you like us to find you the exact reference?
Bill Neve: Thank you for confirming that. I had hoped it was a Private Eye spoof story.
Librarian: The article can be found in the Liverpool Daily Post August 4th 2006 Page 19 and also £rd August Page 9. They want to encourage their library borrowers to "build fit bodies as well as fit minds" and if successful will be extended to branch libraries at the end of the year. They open in the Central library on 4th September this year
Posted by: Bill Neve at August 21, 2006 2:00 PM
I too was hoping that this was a Private Eye spoof, it is too ridiculous for words.
A gym is a gym.
A library is a library.
Would one go to the dry cleaners to purchase a kilo of Toulouse sausages?
Posted by: Margo Harker at August 21, 2006 6:18 PM