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October 18, 2006
Libraries will host the Olympics
I confess this latest press release from the MLA has completely defeated me for meaning
However Susan Hill has some emphatic words to say about it!
Perhaps somone should pass Susan's comments to the chair of the MLA, Mark Wood, or Tessa Jowell, or Darrell Hair.
I also set a target for what the public library service, particularly in London, could do by 2012, when the Olympics will take place. I said that the library service, by then, could have one library card, one catalogue, one website to show where the libraries are, and most of them could be open in the evevning with the books one would need to read and study.. I said that early this year when I realised that by 2012 we will spend, as a country, three times more money on public libraries than we will spend on the Olympics.. the difference is that one project is being managed carefully under the eye of the press and the other isn't being managed at all.
Posted by Tim Coates at October 18, 2006 9:42 AM
Comments
This is most annoying. I usually enjoy thinking of a contrary argument for Tim, but in this case it is clear that it is not possible.
From the "Setting the Pace" document:
"Community Information Portal – Public
libraries, in particular, are already a key
source of information and meeting places
in communities, and should aim to act
as information hubs for activity related
to the Games."
Er, no, people will get their information on the television. I'm glad London will host the games, but the MLA Partnership Vision is just nonsense. I mean read it:
"Museums, libraries and archives will ensure that the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games are an inclusive event. They will engage with an emerging generation of young people, celebrate diversity and help deliver the best ever Games, sustaining a legacy for people in all regions. We will champion the development of collections, audiences and workforce so that the 2012 Games will be a transformational event for the sector and the country."
Oh come on. There will be a lot of nice displays, some interesting promotional events, and maybe even a bit of reading tagged on to the Olympics. But a "transformational event"???? Ho Ho.
Posted by: Duchess of Malfi at October 18, 2006 12:38 PM
Snipped from MLA Press Release
>>To generate ideas and discuss the possible scope of a sector offer for the Games, the MLA Partnership held workshops over the summer with people from museums, libraries and archives across the country.<<
Is there a Librarian, or archivist, in the house who attended one of the Summer workshops ????
What an excellent opportunity for the esteemed Minister to come forward to this blog and state exactly which multi-cultural book events (if any) were planned in these workshops.
The Press Release is typical non-speak from a pink gin government who are waffling (as usual)
Posted by: Clive Keeble at October 18, 2006 7:36 PM
Strangely the word book is only mentioned twice in the supporting 12 page prospectus. Once proposing that bookshelves be used to mark the height of a high jump, and once suggesting that a book of British short stories could be given to all competing atheletes.
No suggestion that extra books on sport will be purchased for libraries, or even that libraries might use the increased interest in sport to promote aspects of their book collections.
Posted by: Martyn at October 18, 2006 10:41 PM
It is not only the MLA which cannot speak in plain understandable english
Vide : Publishing News - Mark Fields comments
http://www.publishingnews.co.uk/pn/pno_news8.asp?
>> Field said he had gained support and advice from within the book industry for his proposed venture and added, “We are in talks with IT companies and other organisations to help with some blue sky thinking about modernising the library service without in any way reducing the core function of a library which we see as lending books and providing reference and other materials.” <<
Er yes, and what the heck is "blue sky thinking" ??
Posted by: Clive Keeble at October 20, 2006 11:15 AM
Hear hear (you, Tim).
I would vote for you as PM or as my local MP, any time. You have the right idea.
Posted by: maxine at October 20, 2006 10:03 PM