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December 22, 2006
Public libraries, MLA, DCMS etc
I have been under some heavy pressure the last few days (which I cheerfully resist!) to look out for a forthcoming major review of library policy by the MLA. The implication is that we are going to see a volte-face.
This "review" is. among other things, an opportunity to tell me to be quiet for a while they work out what it will say. But they have played this game so often before that it makes me laugh
In the past 2 years only we have seen
- A protracted and vacuous response to the excellent Select Committee report, which effectively nullified the benefit that could have been obtained
- A long delay over publication of the PKF report on library efficiency and then a totally failed attempt to communicate its very important conclusions to library authorities
- Endless promises that the steering committee for the PWC study would contain relevant industry figures who could give an outside perspective on the matter
- The subsequent clear and emerging failure of the PWC report to produce a programme that councils can use- all of which renders the whole study a huge waste of money
- Promises that performance measures will be translated into Impact measures which will improve the service have come to nothing.
- The MLA has set up a host of regional partner offices- but there has been no attempt to provide them with the exprertise to implement major improvements in public library services.
- Most councils have gone over to cabinet style administration and each year there are local elections which change the portfolio responsibilities of individual elected members. Yet no attempt whatsoever is made to help these people understand the issues facing public libraries
- During the whole of this time the most difficult question councils is over their budgets. They need help and support in working out how to control costs and improve service at the same time. The MLA-- even in its current discourse- appears not even to engage in this matter
and on and on
There are two faults with the MLA which render it a useless body with respect to public libraries
- firstly its management is limited to experience only of the world of public libraries and none other. It therefore struggles to give leadership and ideas which are of the quality that are needed. This could be overcome, but that requires change at the very top.
-Secondly it has failed to establish any credibility or authority with local library authorities. This is because of the list above and many other previous endeavours. This will not be easy to change without a fundamental renewal of the role and its methods. It cannot, in my view, be done from within
Therefore it is not worth waiting for yet another vague statement of unimplementable postures. Prove me wrong-- nobody will be more pleased.
All this doessn't mean there isn't a need for an effective body to help local councils do the job properly. There is a need - but the MLA and DCMS are not playing the role at present. I'm sorry. We can (and do) work on councils on their own and collectively, but the MLA is no help and would be better off closing down.
Posted by Tim Coates at December 22, 2006 10:07 AM
Comments
This Christmas comment, if heeded, would bring readers a present that lasts a lifetime.
Alas, bureaucrats seem to prefer a quick grab of some "forecourt flowers" (as I heard Jonathan Ross remark).
Posted by: christopher.hawtree at December 23, 2006 11:40 AM