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March 16, 2007
Overview and bulldozers
The retraction of Brent Council from its intention to close 6 of its 12 libraries is no doubt because of the press campaign over the past 18 months to highlight this issue. Councillors have become aware of the bad press notices they will receive for such actions. Three phone calls to Brent made the councillors aware of the bear pit of bad publicity into which they were walking
This has been a blunt instrument but a powerful one. I am pleased. The message that reducing book funds is not acceptable either, is also beginning to be heard. It is not yet as dominating as the message about closures, but many councillors have registered that this old favourite recourse also will attract disfavour. It isn't just the local paper that might comment and embarrass elected council members but there is a good chance that the national and the trade press will name and shame those who can be held responsible. This is all good - it must be sustained. We have done well.
The pressure, now, within councils, is how to solve the powerful budget problems without these two solutions being permitted..
The real problem is even greater : it is how to IMPROVE the library service with less funding. The answer lies in very clear focus on the priorities - and being able to accept that the library service must not spend money on anything other than its essence. It is possible and a library service, by being forced to face these matters really seriously, can become much better, but it is not obvious to most people how to do it.
The first requirement is that heads of cultural service and their own directors of council departments need to devote time and thought to libraries in a way that they have not so far done. Councillors are getting the messages, but the senior officers in councils who are there to make political will into reality, are not yet grasping the issues.. Perhaps it is time some of them were named in the national papers, too-- but it would be better to sit in meetings and talk carefully and openly about it.
There are answers and they aren't that difficult, but it is difficult for councils to approach them alone and unsupported. It is time for serious discussion at this level.
I have for a long time believed that the only way to rebuild our public library service is to demolish all the existing institutions and get right down to the foundations. We may not yet have achieved that completely, but at least the bulldozers are on the site. If you are in the way of them, it may be best to collect your coat and leave now.
Posted by Tim Coates at March 16, 2007 9:35 AM