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January 24, 2007
Reflections on step 3
In step 3 yesterday I made two specific policy proposals
a. That the monitoring of the performance of the service nationally and locally be taken out of the hands of government and be taken over by Consumer Associations, and
b. A new training, accreditation and support service be created, also out of the hands of those who currently provide it, specifically intended to meet the requirements of councils
Within these two proposals I am proposing the end of CIPFA, LISU, PLUS, and library standards and I am questioning the role of CILIP in the public library service and the charter it holds. I am also questioning the membership and role of ACL, the influence of SCL and the relevance of the board of the MLA. You can be sure I shall cast doubt on the role currently given to MLA and its ability to carry it out and I shall certainly question the value of regional MLA's to the public library service. In other words-- I would like to see a clear out of influence which does not contribute to the service to the public and replace it with a simple effective structure that is clear and will be accountable and will work.
So those are major steps! The only comments- apart from the supportive ones, were about my apparent continuing disregard for the policy agendas of Central Government and my failiure to realise the importance of these.
I'm quite clear about this. The public library service is an end in itself. Obviously it contributes to a cvilised, cultured, educated, informed, involved and well-read society-- but only when it is a good library service. Our first concern is to turn it from being a mediocre and dismal service, which is incredibly expensive, in to one which is useful. Then we can worry about whether it makes a difference to society. Sadly at present it is a reflection of an uncultured and unambitious society- and those responsible need to make swift and radical changes.
Posted by Tim Coates at January 24, 2007 10:13 PM
Comments
Tim, so far so good, but the Libri report "From University to Village Hall" identified the way in which "paid library officials manipulate local authority executive and cabinet teams to the extent that we believe there is a fundamental flaw in the administration of local democracy today. Full-time councillors ally themselves more closely with the views and aspirations of their full-time officials than they do with their electors and, as a result, are compliant to the wishes of officials and unadventurous in policy-making; until this matter is addressed no directive or incentive is likely improve the service."
Elsewhere the report outlines how this alliance has effectively redefined the role of libraries as "supermarkets for council services". This is the ideology of managerialism which unfortunately effects more than just our public libraries, but it does need to be tackled if the situation in libraries is to be turned round. Could you explain how this crucial part of the problem can be resolved?
Posted by: Martyn at January 24, 2007 11:15 PM
Martyn
Thank you-- it's very heartening to see that report quoted, the man who wrote it is a sharp and wise person who is not well this week- so you give me chance to wish him a speedy recovery.
I hope that by putting the monitoring of the service into the hands of "consumer associations" - that they will set up the criteria that the public call for. I see them as being rather like the AA and RAC hotel guides of yesteryear which decided the criteria for allocating stars based on the views of their readers. This ought, in theory, to push councillors in the right direction, especially if the findings are clearly and loudly broadcast.
In this way we would get rid of library standards that actually cause libraries to throw away valuable books from their collections, for example.
Actually my friends at the "Good Library Guide" might be interested in this kind of role as well -I think the more the better. Tim
Posted by: Tim at January 24, 2007 11:45 PM