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November 1, 2006
Public Library Service Standards
The entry I made previously describes a view of what public libraries do. I have formed it from market research and from views of as many people as possible including readers of this blog.
From this statement it is easy to define what the public library service standards need to seek:
Firstly they should be applied to individual libraries, not councils. The local people should be able to say these things of their own library. The council then, in its turn, has a responsibility to ensure that libraries of high standards are available to all those who live, work or visit their area, but the library standards should be questions asked of each library:.
- Does it have an abundant and comprehensive collection of books:
- New publications
- fiction and non fiction
- Previouly published work
- Old books and old collections
- For study
- Of the neighbourhood
- for formal and informal reference
- and newspapers and magazines for all the local communities
- and sources of information in all media ?
-Does it provide suitable places for private study that are clean, dignified, comfortable and practical. Are there adequate numbers of free access computers for readers to use without difficulty?
- Is the library itself welcoming, tidy, well presented, bright clean modern safe and welcoming?
- Does the library go out of its way to look after and encourage the reading needs of children of all ages?
- Does the library readily and clearly offer to help and understand disabilities of any kind?
- Is the library open as long as the streets are safe outside?
- Does the library carry material and provide access to information about all aspects of local history and the local area. Is it a genuine local resource
- Are the reading amd information services free and easy to use ?
- Are the staff helpful, knowledgable, friendly and enthusiastic ?
And what should the standard of all these aspects be? Ten out of ten- without exception. Judged by whom? The people who live near the library.
All these entries are copyright of Tim Coates and may be reproduced but only with my permission and under my licence. I don't want to see them stolen by DCMS, MLA, Price Waterhouse Cooper or the Audit Commission - or anybody else
Posted by Perkins at November 1, 2006 3:04 PM