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January 29, 2007
Libraries in Wales
This long and heartening article about public libraries in Wales is good in the sense that it acknowledges that there is a problem and declares an intention to do something about. (if the link doesn't work - see the article below)
But it is disappointing that it doesn't recognise that much of the problem lies in the neglected state of the book and reading collections and that it doesn't address the problem of replicated management and administration in all the small local councils of Wales
The initiative should call for increased book expenditure and shared costs between councils.
This announcement is popping up on news items and it reminds me of the great "Lottery to give £80m to libraries-- but not a penny of it for books" headline in The Times - exactly a year ago. Politicians are daft enough to believe that spending our money is the same thing as solving a problem.. and they never learn. and we must appear daft enough to be taken in by them.
Libraries say a loud please as they start a campaign for new readers Jan 29 2007
Paul Rowland, Western Mail
THE campaign to rekindle Wales' love affair with libraries kicks off today.
More people use libraries in Wales than the rest of Britain, but numbers are declining. And their reputation for being archaic, dusty and uninviting is part of the reason.
The scheme comes amid a decline in the numbers of people regularly using libraries, as multi- media advances take their toll on demand for their services.
Visitor numbers have halved over the past two decades, with the figures for the number of books issued showing an even greater drop.
The latest campaign aims to reverse that trend by raising awareness of the facilities available at most local libraries.
The Assembly Government has also pledged to provide an extra £2.5m next year towards improving the Welsh library network, after it was revealed last year that none of the local authorities in Wales were meeting the standards for library services set in 2002.
Last year's figures showed an improvement in the number of authorities spending target levels on books and other materials, but revealed 13 out of 22 still weren't reaching expected standards.
It is now hoped that a campaign will raise the profile of library services, alongside a campaign to improve standards inside Wales' ageing library buildings.
The initiative will focus on the evolution of public libraries in Wales, with the intention of shedding their image as shabby old buildings and emphasise the investment in new technology and the multimedia facilities on offer.
Recent figures have also shown major improvements in visitor numbers in libraries that have benefited from refurbishments.
An £80,000 investment in refurbishing Oystermouth Library in 2005 resulted in a 31% increase in visits in the first year, alongside a 38% rise in requests, and book issues going up by 24%.
Children's book issues increased by 42% in the same period, and books issued to children under five increased by 102%.
The campaign will also see:
A nationwide marketing campaign aimed at changing the traditional image of libraries as quiet, dusty places which only stock historical romances;
Further investment in computer technology for Welsh libraries, particularly to improve online access to libraries;
Greater emphasis on co-operation between public and educational bodies to widen access to library resources;
More attention given to ensuring library staff have the appropriate skills to help users.
The scheme is being launched today at the Whiterose Information Resource Centre in New Tredegar, in Caerphilly, where research suggests 63% of the population regularly use a public library - one of the highest figures in Wales.
The Assembly Government- funded scheme will then tour libraries around Wales to encourage more use among a generation with a stronger affinity to games consoles and the internet, than short-loan paperbacks.
The funding will go towards providing facilities such as improved study facilities, modern furniture, community meeting places, wireless internet and better provision for disabled people.
Culture Minister Alun Pugh said he wants the proportion of Welsh people using libraries, said to be 27%, to increase.
"More people in Wales than anywhere else in the UK use libraries, and I want to see more people coming through the doors," he said. "Libraries offer so much, but too many people are put off by the outdated image of libraries or the depressing condition of some libraries.
"We want to increase access to our libraries and this is why I've made money available to create libraries fit for the 21st century."
TV presenter Sarra Elgan, who is supporting the campaign, said, "I remember visiting our local library as a child and thinking it was a haven - all those books to read, and you didn't have to pay for one of them."
Librarian Helen Pridham, 31, from Port Talbot, who works in Maesteg Library, said,
"There does tend to be a misconception about libraries, people think they're boring and that you have to be quiet - it couldn't be further from the truth."
Posted by Tim Coates at January 29, 2007 10:38 AM