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January 2, 2007
Appeal to writers, journalists, broadcasters and editors
The press has played a tremendously important part in this project to renew the public library service. Far too much was being done in the name of government without the proper scrutiny of the public. Few people realised that the reduction of numbers and quality of books in libraries was a deliberate and long term action on the part of those responsible-- nor did people realise the huge amounts of money that are taken up in its operation.
The next six months will bring a new government in the UK and probably a new Minister responsible for the public libraries. It is at the moment of his or her appointment that the greatest opportunity arises to initiate a programme of renovation.
Therefore I beg that any writer or journalist who is given the opportunity to do so should write about the need to take action. We need to raise the library service up the agenda of those items which need government action and policy. I put a blog entry the other day to summarise my view and there is much detail elsewhere on the site. In the next 2 weeks we should see a whole new set of figures about our public libraries. But of course, if I can be of any help then please do contact me. Tim
Posted by Tim Coates at January 2, 2007 8:19 AM