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January 1, 2007
Diana Edmonds MBE
We had 62,249 hits on the blog in December and I am fairly certain that exceeds the number of visits to any library authority website in the same month.
It is arresting to realise that so many people who read the blog are from different countries and different corners. Quite often what appears must seem very strange to them and I am conscious that I should explain more than I do.
If you search "Diana Edmonds" in the box in the right hand tramline you will find that on several occasions I have drawn attention to the spectacular performance figures of the library service in Haringey which is a Borough of North London. Like all the central London boroughs it contains a wide mix of people from wealthy and well educated to others and people who like soccer a lot.
Where almost everywhere else in England (but not absolutely everywhere) people will tell you that there is no longer a need or an appetite for public libraries- in Haringey they thrive. Why? because Diana and her estimable colleagues have made them better and better and better - in fine detail. They work on improvements from tiny bits of childrens' furniture to major technical changes; from books to develop reading skills in the incredible array of languages in the area- to support from and by Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.
Yet Diana is not part of the small circle of Chief Librarians who sit on all the committees and quangoes, on Government bodies and professional reviews. On these she is rarely to be seen. I am proud that she rings me up from time to time (to make sure I have noticed something she has done) and honoured that she asked to me spend a day visiting her libraries.
So - to foreigners who could never believe nor understand that still to this day the British Queen and Parliament hand out awards called "Membership of the British Empire" it will be curious to hear my loud applause that this year that award has been given to Diana for her efforts. I salute her and am pleased to be able to draw international attention to her work.
Posted by Tim Coates at January 1, 2007 3:55 PM
Comments
There is an article about Diana in the current issue of the Tottenham Journal. Lending up by 32% in five years:
http://digbig.com/4qpcf
(nb I've shortened the web address with DigBig as the full url was 202 characters long)
--That's right- and the national picture is lending down by 26% in those same five years. That's why her work is so important to those of us who believe that the national cause of decline in lending is the poor operation of the libraries, rather than any "fundamental change in society" as we keep being told. tim
Posted by: Martyn at January 5, 2007 9:24 PM