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May 30, 2007
Librarians and publishers
My attention has been drawn to this report of a symposium in Cambridge.
The New York Public Library service is no longer buying books from Cambridge University Press.
Could the same thing be taking place here? Is this the reason that libraries buy so few books these days?
Posted by Perkins at 1:35 PM | Comments (0)
May 28, 2007
Library and Information Gazette
I was very pleased and flattered to be invited by Tim Buckley Owen, who used to be at CILIP, to talk to him for an article for the Library and Information Gazette.
He reported the conversation very fairly in the May edition and I am grateful to him. He said that I am "anxious to build bridges with library professionals" because "we are joined by a desire to see libraries survive and prosper"
There is a response from two senior librarians, whom I have never met, in a long article on the page facing Tim's which says that building such bridges is not possible "until Tim Coates tempers his comments with a genuine understanding of the ethos of public service and community"
Ouch
Posted by Perkins at 8:30 PM | Comments (12)
May 25, 2007
Library book processing
There is a long entry two posts below this one in which I am advocating a standard processing for all public library books.
I am not talking about central buying or central processing; nor am I talking about something that some agency or anyone else should do.
I am simply saying that if your council -- and every council-- were to say to their supplier "I want the labels you place on my books etc to say This Is A Public Library Book" and no longer say "This belongs to the London Borough of Lambeth" or wherever, then the supplier would be in a position to reward you with masses more discount, because you would saved them a fortune in their cost of operation.
The money saved will remain in your own book fund. Unless you give it away to someone - it should remain there to be spent on more books
There is no sensible reason why not-- so let's do it. If you won't do it, let's have no more whingeing about how no one gives the library service enough money.
Posted by Perkins at 9:57 AM | Comments (17)
May 24, 2007
Benjamin Britten
My book of the moment is Humphrey Carpenter's biography of Benjamin Britten. I am just at the point when he wrote Curlew River- which I saw performed in Ripon Cathedral shortly after it had been written. It was as moving for me as the Passion Play at Oberammergau - which I also had the enormous fortune to see.
For anyone in Yorkshire, Olly is giving two performances at the Swaledale festival next week
Posted by Perkins at 1:17 PM | Comments (0)
May 23, 2007
Standard labels on library books
There are a few library authorities with quite large back logs of boxes of stock sitting in their distribution centres waiting to be unpacked. Sometimes boxes of books fill the corridors and canteens.
These are, of course, books that would be better on the library shelves, but (apparently) they have to be "processed" in one way or another before that can be allowed.
The question came up the other day whether some of these that have been sitting around for many months might be returned to their supplier and swapped for more recent stock.
The answer of course is that they can't-- not least because they have all been indelibly labelled with various stickers and stamps which bear the name of the library authority which renders them unsaleable to anyone else.
There are of course several answers to this:
a. Don't let it happen-- boxes must be unpacked on the day they arrive
b. Don't have a central distribution centre-- send the stuff "shelf ready" to individual libraries
c. Don't put the name of your library or authority on the label. Just have a label (if you really need it) that says "Library Book- please return when you have finished". That could be used by any authority. It would mean that
-- every library service could have the same processing and save a fortune at library suppliers
-- surplus stock could be swapped between councils
-- publishers could print special print runs of particular titles ready for library use.
Will somebody send me a cheque for £1m - which is about one fiftieth of what this will save?
Posted by Perkins at 10:14 AM | Comments (13)
Saffron Walden Town Library
#Saffron Walden Town Library is the library of the Saffron Walden Literary and Scientific Institution and was founded in 1832.
I am very grateful to Martyn Everett and his colleagues for their invitation a few weeks ago to attend one of their meetings and also an invitation to spend a day in the library, which I shall do with the greatest pleasure and self indulgence.
Their history of the library tells that it was founded by the town's leading citizens for the promotion and diffusion of useful and scientific knowledge. First by circulating books and periodicals among members and subscribers and after such circulation to preserve them as a library for the use of the Society.
It isn't hard for most people to understand what a library is nor why it is such a useful thing, and it would astonish the leading citizens of Saffron Walden of any generation to see the confusion which appears to have grown up in the fine English county of Hampshire about what a public library is for.
Readers of this blog might like to follow the forthcoming enquiry in Hampshire about their libraries on the website which the county have set up for the purpose.
Hampshire County Council have produced a remarkable background paper for the review, which I have copied below.
I would say that if the Minister for the Arts were to do his job he should have called the Hampshire Library Service a "failing" service and intervened in its operation some time ago.
On the other hand, the Saffron Walden Town library is a wonderful example of the kind of library from which a community truly does gain benefit
Culture and Communities PRC
Libraries Review
Overview of Issues from Literature Review – April 2007
Background
This review of library and information services is being undertaken in a context in which public library services appear to be in a state of decline. Indeed there is almost universal agreement in the literature that there is a continuing and steady decline in the use of public libraries. Hampshire Library Service, in common with many other services has attempted to address the decline in part by looking for innovative solutions. The Gosport Discovery Centre is the product of innovative thinking and attempts to provide a locally relevant service. Some fear that such innovation is tantamount to ‘throwing the baby out with the bathwater’, however it is also argued that it is important for library services to recognise that changes in society may require services to evolve, “The make-up of communities is changing, and libraries must make sure they keep up with those changes, with new needs and expectation”, (Government response to the third report of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, Session 2004-05: Public Libraries)
“Libraries are an important, valued council service, with the potential to contribute to priorities for learning, inclusion and e-government…But, despite growing demand for books and information…traditional library services are in decline” Building better library services briefing, Audit Commission 2002
“…the snapshot of library services revealed by our evidence is unsurprising. There were pockets of excellence but, overall, there were equal proportions of satisfactory and less than adequate services across the country. The data submitted to us showed that overall spending was up but, within this total, spending on books was down; as were loans of books and overall visitor numbers. We regard a situation in which core performance indicators, and gross throughput, are falling – but overall costs are rising – as a signal of a service in distress. This must be reversed.” House of Commons: Culture, Media and Sport Committee: Public Libraries – Third Report of Session 2004-05, Volume 1, Summary (10 March 2005)
The LISU Annual Library Statistics for 2006 note in their summary of key findings that:
• The greatest increases in total expenditure per capita of the last year have been in Wales, Scotland and the English counties
• Overall, materials for public use represent 12% of total spending, £2.26 per person
• Over £602 million was spent on library staff in 2004-05
• Over £95 million was spent on books in 2004-05
• £23 million was spent on audio-visual materials
• £6 million on electronic resources
• There has been a further fall in total book stock to 108 million for the UK, 74% of which was for lending, the rest reference and reserve. This averages 1.8 per head of population, compared to 2.2 per person ten years ago.
• Proportion of children’s books has increased to 30% of the total
• 12 million books were added in 2004-05, representing 11.2%, falling short of the 14.9% target set by the Public Library Service Standards.
• Children’s issues have increased by 2.1% in the UK, the first increase in 8 years
• Northern Ireland issues risen by 6.6% where lending stock has increased by 11.9%
• The number of visits overall has increased for the third year running and is now 2.5% higher than five years ago
The latest library statistics therefore both confirm a general decline in book lending, but may contain some positive signs for libraries. The picture provided is not simple. It is, for example, probably too easy to draw a conclusion from Northern Ireland that increased book stocks result in increased issues; there are undoubtedly other factors as well, such as those identified below, however increased book stocks may have a part in what may be a reversal of a decline in lending.
Key Issues identified in the Literature
In 2002, the Audit Commission produced ‘Building Better Library Services’, a report (or collection of reports) based on the experience of inspecting public libraries. Although slightly dated in terms of some of the data and trends cited in the reports, they provide a useful framework for considering key issues that feature in almost all critiques of public library services:
• What do people want from their library service?
• Availability of book and information services?
• Accessibility: opening times, location, physical access
• Improving the experience: making libraries a welcoming space
• Raising awareness
In addition, there is a clear expectation that the Audit Commission believes that it is critical that services are user-focused and that services actively engage with their users. Another key issue must therefore be that of user or public engagement and knowing/understanding the community that needs to be served.
Another issue, identified in the Audit Commission report(s), but commented on more extensively in other papers, is that of efficient and effective management of libraries. The focus of the present review, however, is primarily on questioning whether the approach that the public library service of Hampshire has adopted, could or should be reviewed in order to meet the expectations of users and potential library users.
Finally, relevant to the provision of public library services, must be the recognition of general, and sometimes more community specific, or demographic factors that may impinge upon the lives of those who do, or might use libraries. These factors, while relevant, may not be within the gift of library services to change, but need to be addressed as a matter of strategy. Such factors might include:
• Disposable income
• Purchasing of books
• Competing leisure pursuits
• Home access to technology and information
• Demographic issues such as locality specific
o Income levels
o Educational levels
o Work/life aspirations
Library services need to be responsive to community contexts, matching services to public expectations, however, ideally it could be argued that library strategies should, in part, have the capacity or flexibility to engage proactively and appropriately with distinctively different communities. Reality, however dictates that currently the County has responsibility for the service in Hampshire, while some would probably prefer more central government control.
What do people want from their library service?
The literature appears to show that people tend agree on the main characteristics of a library, for example:
1. “Libraries need to provide the books and information services people want – or people will have no reason to come.
2. The services need to be easily accessible, in terms of opening times and location – or many potential users may be put off using them.
3. The need to provide a welcoming experience for the user, in terms of the environment and how easy services are to use – or people will choose to go elsewhere.
4. And, people need to be aware of the full range of services on offer and how they can get them.”
Building Better Library Services (Acknowledge – learning from audit, inspection and research), Audit Commission, par.55,
The above are generally true and obvious principles that echo the framework that is adopted for this review. It should be noted that these principles have their origin in the approach to library audit that has been adopted by the Audit Commission, and they also must reflect the learning that has come out of that process.
Cambridgeshire Library Service, currently rebuilding the Cambridge Central Library, describes what type of facility it plans for its ‘flagship’ library (Cambridgeshire County Council’s Cambridge Central Library, Outline Concept document, 2006)
“…customers will use the library to:
• Browse and select books, music and films for relaxation and enjoyment
• Obtain information – particularly to support their formal and informal learning requirements
• Access the internet, use email and the ICT learning packages provided in the Learning Centre
• Use the ‘one-stop shop’ facilities for information about local and national public facilities and services
• Exploit the study and learning facilities
• Attend library events including lectures, talks and film shows in the lecture/meeting room
• Enjoy the coffee shop
Prior to finalising the design of the building, library users and potential users were asked what factors they considered to be important for the new development. The following were identified as most valued by the public:
• Central location
• Quality and range of book, music and audio visual stock
• Staff helpfulness and friendliness
• Information services
• Café
• Self-service machines
The intention is for the new library to meet or exceed these aspirations of the public for the service, albeit the new library will have a slightly smaller footprint. A quick analysis of the public consultation results simply confirms other work, ie. that location, good books and resources, and a welcoming venue are together the basic elements of a good library experience.
Summary – what people want from their library service
It would appear that, on the face of it, what people want from libraries, or the more innovative re-branded ‘discovery centres’ are not too different from what is now tending to be provided in newer or re-developed libraries such as Gosport, the Norwich Millennium Library, or the new Cambridge Central Library or Winchester Library, both currently under construction.
New buildings and substantial renovations may have a positive impact on the public, if their views have been accurately assessed, by virtue of the fact that the buildings are likely to be welcoming with good facilities. Focusing on such buildings may distract the observer from the usually large number of libraries for which English County authorities are responsible. The impact of new builds and major refurbishments may therefore have only a limited impact on the wider system. Nevertheless, affordable refurbishments on a rolling programme are possible with good planning.
The question remains, if at least in newer buildings, the expectations of the public are apparently being met, whether such ‘solutions’ will have more than a little or limited impact on reversing the general decline, acknowledging however, that such builds are in a small, albeit higher profile minority. Do the success criteria reflect the interests of a rapidly changing society, ie. are they right? Is it necessary to look more closely at what is implied by the framework adopted here, such as, what is it about books that can make a library more attractive?
Availability of book and information services
Books
“Unlike many of the other services that are provided by councils, they (public libraries) are used out of choice rather than necessity”, (Building Better Library Services (Acknowledge – learning from audit, inspection and research), Audit Commission, par.4, 2002. It goes on to say that people visit libraries for a purpose, or possibly several purposes, since they are not mutually exclusive, such as for information, recreation and advice. If people cannot get the information they are seeking, or the type of book they want to read, then they will be less inclined to see libraries as satisfying their needs.
The Audit Commission makes the following observation, “Books and information are the heart of a good library service...While inspectors have found that the majority of councils are providing a good range of materials for some specific target groups...56% of inspectors have raised concerns over the quality, condition and range of stock available to users in general” Building better library services (Briefing), The Audit Commission, par.11, 2002.
The House of Commons select committee indicated that one cause of dissatisfaction with the quality of books for loan, could be due to lack of investment in book stocks, “A substantial increase in the percentage of funding spent by each library authority on books should be a priority”, Public Libraries, House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, Third Report of Session 2004-05, par44, 2005. The assumption here is that libraries need sufficient funding to allow a reasonable range of books and enough copies to satisfy demand. The debate would then have to focus on where in the range between ‘ideal’ and ‘inadequate’ the ‘reasonable’ area ought to be, given funding always has limits. Indeed, the choice to provide more funding for books will inevitably mean less funding will be available for other things.
“We believe that there are, in practice, two key debates which are only confused by conflation. The first is over the core function of public libraries and embraces, but goes beyond, the 'books versus IT' question. We are in no doubt that, while libraries are about more than books (and newspapers and journals), these traditional materials must be the bedrock upon which the library services rest, no matter how the institution is refreshed or re-branded in the light of local consultation. The explosion of relevant new technologies has to be embraced by institutions but this should be done in the context of their key functions to gather, order, present and disseminate, challenging, as well as relevant, material and information for their local communities.” Public Libraries, House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Third Report of Session 2004-05, par35, 2005. The paragraph goes on to note, however, that libraries do not buy copies of Encyclopaedia Britannica anymore because it is only published now electronically, thus drawing attention to changing world of books and publishing to which libraries have to adapt.
Range of books
If people go to libraries with the express intention of being able to select and borrow a particular type of book, then they will be dissuaded from using the service if the range of books is inadequate to stimulate and keep their interest, Audit Commission inspectors found, “that many councils are neglecting a wide range of material which has been shown, when well promoted, to have widespread appeal…Inspectors also found that many library services’ stock are significantly biased towards older people, and hence unlikely to attract other potential users”, (Building Better Library Services (Acknowledge – Report), Audit Commission, par.35, 2002. Within their spending budgets, library services have to make choices. Those choices, it is suggested in the Audit Commission report, have the potential to attract and kept users interested, or further accelerate the “overall decline in use”. But, the range appropriate to one community, may not be appropriate to another. Knowing the user base is an essential ingredient in getting the match between libraries and their communities close. How do libraries engage with their communities, and how good are library systems in assisting them to know their customers’ preferences?
Quantity of books
The literature often refers to book stocks, particularly fiction, in terms of number of volumes and/or value. From a user’s point of view, the relevance of quantity is particularly pertinent to the ease or difficulty the person has in finding and borrowing a copy of the book. A good range of books needs to be combined with an appropriate number of copies to allow borrowers a reasonable chance of a loan when (or near the time) that they want it. Failure to provide enough copies of books will dissuade people from using the library; the question then may be, how many is ‘enough’?
Information Services
Acknowledged in the literature is the undoubted shift with respect to some reference materials and databases, which in some cases can only be accessed using computers, for example, Catherine Blanchard, former President of the SCL, is quoted by the House of Commons report, “The issue is around the role of libraries at giving us…knowledge. Books are only one medium…no library service buys the Encyclopaedia Britannica any more because they only publish it electronically.” But as with all such issues, it hinges around the question of balance; what resources should be provided in electronic form and which as books? Each library could justifiably have its unique mix. [policy issue?]
Summary – availability of books and information services
For borrowers and potential borrowers, the issue of book availability is at one level an individual matter since the borrower wants to know that their genre preferences will be reflected in a reasonable range to choose from, and that adequate numbers of books will mean that the chance of borrowing is relatively high. At another level, councils or public library authorities control funding and have to decide upon priorities for funding amongst a range of competing demands. Clearly the two levels are related.
As the Audit Commission observed (see above …………), the issue for some library services may be what reader groups they appear to be targeting. Targeting primarily older people may support current borrowers, but not encourage younger potential borrowers; as the Commission also notes, “…many councils are neglecting a wide range of material which has been shown, when well promoted, to have widespread appeal, such as cult and fantasy fiction, 20th century American and world fiction and 20th century classics.” Some readers, may, however have other preferences, which again demonstrates the importance of knowing one’s customers. For library services, the implication is that they need to proactively find ways to get that knowledge, including making effective use of library management systems.
Accessibility: opening times, location, physical access
Accessibility is primarily about convenience and opportunism. In common with the retail sector, libraries are aware that in order to attract higher numbers of people into their buildings, they need to be where people are in higher numbers. For example, major retailers open new stores where other popular retailers are present. Libraries are best situated in areas where good numbers of people come, not tucked out of the way.
The House of Commons’ Select Committee noted, “All libraries, however, whatever their location, should be set core minimum standards of provision...all in a welcoming and safe environment at the hours that their users want”, Public Libraries, House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, Third Report of Session 2004-05, par38, 2005.
The Audit Commission report also commented, “… To reverse the decline in use highlighted in Chapter 1, the challenge is to cater to a wider audience...These services need to be easily accessible, in terms of opening times and location – or many users may be put off them.” Building better library services, Audit Commission, par55, 2002
Where there is a choice, libraries clearly should be situated where they are visible and readily accessible, but it should also be remembered that such locations typically attract premium property prices for rent or sale. Such sites may not always be available to councils.
Opening times
Opening times are closely linked to location, for example, busy areas in town centres are typically busy while shops are open, but become quiet when they are closed. Convenient opening hours for libraries will often be similar to those of opening hours of the areas in which they operate.
Physical access
In common with other high street organisations and local authority buildings, libraries are responsible to ensure that people are not barred from using the service because of difficulty of physical access.
Summary - Accessibility: opening times, location, physical access
Library services, according to the Audit Commission and the House of Commons Select Committee, and other observers, cannot afford to ignore any changes within their power to get more people through the doors of libraries. Pedestrian-busy locations and convenient, possibly extended, opening hours are important tactics in the battle to win back library users. Ensuring good physical access and that people know about it are also important to maximise opportunities for people to enjoy libraries.
The Audit Commission observes that in many cases councils have failed to realise or respond to local demographic shifts in population characteristics, “Inspectors have also commented on the poor location of some libraries in around one-third of councils – particularly where local demographic changes have left libraries far from the communities that they were built to serve, or where lack of parking or local transport acts as a barrier to access.” There are also, often significant changes in where people go to shop.
Improving the experience: making libraries a welcoming space
Innovations in libraries often seem to be accompanied by new builds or extensive refurbishments. It is possible that whilst improvements in the physical building can add to the pleasure that people experience when visiting, other less obvious changes may affect the continuing use of the library, “…for example, improving internal signage or using attractive ‘bookshop style’ displays…A number of councils now shelve reference and lending books together so that users do not have to search in two places” .” Building better library services, Audit Commission, par45, 2002.
The Central Cambridge Library now under construction, for example, will have a smaller footprint than the old library. If more services are to be provided as a matter of innovation, the use of space will be a challenging design issue, but certainly one of the features that the public wanted in the library was a café, the space for which will be at the cost of space given to other library services.
Many newer libraries aim to be very customer friendly. Provided the public has been effectively engaged, authorities can be reasonably sure that their priorities reflect those of the community. The prospect is raised, however, that a division may become apparent between what some current users want, and what other current users and potential users may be looking for in a library, “Consultation with young people has found that they see libraries as too quiet and formal…” Building better library services, Audit Commission, par48, 2002, but “quiet and formal” may be what other users prefer. ‘One size’ is therefore unlikely to ‘fit all’.
One challenge of design may therefore be to design-in areas that appeal to different classes of user; will the smaller footprint libraries provide the space?
Summary - Improving the experience: making libraries a welcoming space
Councils are recognising that the public is expecting libraries to be furbished to higher standards and that they should be welcoming and easy to use. Some libraries, such as the ‘Ideas Store’ in Whitechapel has a café, crèche for learners, and leaning spaces and rooms. The Norwich Millennium Library, is itself part of the Forum, a larger complex that houses ‘learning organisations’, café, restaurant, and a Heritage Visitor attraction, as well as the Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library, the busiest library in the country.
Increasingly libraries are being seen as a service that integrates well with other council and voluntary services related to sustaining communities and providing opportunities for learning.
[suggests that the ‘whole’ is possibly greater than libraries, therefore policy context for councils wider than libraries – possible connections??? Eg. Sure Starts, young mums/parents, benefits offices, CABs, etc. etc.]
Raising awareness
The Audit Commission report makes it clear that whilst libraries do engage in promoting their services, nevertheless, “Inspectors have found many examples where this awareness is lacking, for example:…users not aware they can use any branch to borrow or return items…no publicity in branch libraries about central stocks of materials for minorities…only existing users attended a reading group set up by one library specifically to encourage new users to join; and lack of awareness of library opening times or mobile library timetables…” Building better library services, Audit Commission, par49, 2002
It is fairly obvious that information about library services must be provided outside libraries as well as inside them. This puts an onus on councils to ensure that active and proactive attempts to reach communities with information about their services, including libraries should be a major responsibility of council marketing and branding. The Audit Commission report identifies a number of items of information that would be appreciated by users and potential users alike, including:
• Good clear signs to libraries
• Professional looking displays
• Well signed toilets
• Making clear that they stock new bestsellers, and newer, popular books
• Making clear that library books are free
Summary – Raising awareness
The general impression is that raising awareness and marketing of libraries tends to be regarded as a non-core function in library services, possibly unnecessary because ‘everybody’ knows where the library is and what it does. Evidence suggests that a professional approach needs to be taken, possibly marketing libraries as part of a wider community information and engagement programme. Raising awareness must be a demonstration that the council is telling its public that it listens to what people want, and that libraries and other services are delivering against those expectations.
Standards
Public Library services are provided by local authorities and operate independently of each other. In 2001 the Government launched the Public Library Standards against which libraries have since been measured. The 10 standards are provided below:
Public Library Service Standards
• PLSS1: Proportion of households living within specified distance of a static library [County 85% households with 2 miles]
• PLSS2: Aggregate scheduled opening hours per 1,000 population for all libraries [128 hours]
• PLSS3: Percentage of static libraries providing access to electronic information resources connected to the internet [100%]
• PLSS4: Total number of workstations with access to the internet and the libraries catalogue (available for public use through both static and mobile libraries, and other service outlets) available to users per 10k population [6]
• PLSS5: Requests – i. % of book requests met in 7 days [50%], ii. % of book requests met in 15 days [70%], iii. % of book requests met in 30 days [85%]
• PLSS6: Number of library visits per 1k population [6,600 in Counties]
• PLSS7: % of library users 16 and over who view their library service as ‘good’ or ‘very good’ [94% suggested]
• PLSS8: % of library users under 16 who view their library service as ‘good’ {77% suggested]
• PLSS9: Annual items added through purchase per 1k population [216 additions per 1k pop]
• PLSS10: Time taken to replenish the lending stock on open access or available on loan [6.7 years]
These standards, however, are not without their critics, for example, the House of Commons Select Committee makes the following observations, “…we believe this list represents rather limited ambitions which, even so, are not being fulfilled. The top ten standards do not refer to extended opening hours, book loans, access or material for people with disabilities, value for money from the service or free access to the internet (all of which we regard as important). In addition, crucially, the standards that are in place are not backed up with effective mechanisms for ensuring continuous improvement or even simple compliance.” Public Libraries, House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, Third Report of Session 2004-05, Summary, 2005.
It is hard not to agree with the criticism levelled at the Standards and how they operate, and it is difficult to see how they are able to inform discussion on how public libraries are to arrest or reverse the steady decline in library use over recent decades. However, the standards do provide “benchmarks for an acceptable level of service provision”, at least according to the ‘Department for Culture, Media and Sport’ (DCMS) and ‘Museums, Libraries and Archives Council’ (MLA) PKF report, par5.4, July 2005.
[Potential Recommendation ??? re meaningful monitoring, given context and challenges???]
Value for Money
The House of Commons Select Committee, under its heading ‘Value for money’ again criticises the Standards for ignoring the issue, quoting evidence given from the Audit Commission statement, “You might expect the public library standards to be derived in some way from an understanding of what is comprehensive and efficient, but if you look at the public library standards they are neither comprehensive nor do they address issues around efficiency and value for money” Public Libraries, House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, Third Report of Session 2004-05, par82, 2005.
The House of Commons report, interestingly, observes that few witnesses suggested that public libraries needed more money, rather, they identified that, “libraries were adequately funded but needed running more efficiently” Public Libraries, House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, Third Report of Session 2004-05, par81, 2005.
Quoting one witness, the committee reports, “…far too much money is spent on administration and “out-dated procedures of various kinds” and too little is spent on reading material.” Public Libraries, House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, Third Report of Session 2004-05, par81, 2005. What are the “out-dated procedures of various kinds”?
As witnesses called to the select committee, the Audit Commission and the library consultant, Tim Coates, identified the following areas where potential efficiency savings could be made:
• Stock and book procurement
• Training and development
• Enquiry handling
• More staff available for frontline services
• Systems for lending and cataloguing
• Performance measuring
• Management and marketing
• Property management and library design
The ‘Department for Culture, Media and Sport’ (DCMS) and ‘Museums, Libraries and Archives Council’ (MLA) PKF report, July 2005, comments in Section 5 Library Efficiency, that the library standards do not help inform how efficiently libraries perform. It also notes that Framework for the Future, whilst addressing core services provided by libraries, stops short of suggesting how libraries should deliver the policy objectives contained in it. The report goes on to say, “This issue is fundamental when considering efficiency, because without a statement of requirements it is impossible to state that one library authority uses its resources in a more efficient way than another.” ‘Department for Culture, Media and Sport’ (DCMS) and ‘Museums, Libraries and Archives Council’ (MLA) PKF report, par5.7, July 2005.
This observation recognises that efficiency is about the process that produces outcomes, therefore because there is no common set of requirements or agreed outcomes that all library services are being measured against, the review decided to use public perception of how well libraries were meeting their expectations (ie. achieving the outcomes that people want). The report concludes that, “Library efficiency will only ever be an approximation without a clear statement of requirements as to what libraries are expected to achieve.” ‘Department for Culture, Media and Sport’ (DCMS) and ‘Museums, Libraries and Archives Council’ (MLA) PKF report, par5.15, July 2005. A customer satisfaction survey was then used as an approximate basis for establishing ‘effectiveness’, which in turn provided a measure for estimating library efficiency.
Stock and book procurement
The review identifies that public libraries, as book customers, account for approximately 3% of the book market. By contrast, booksellers such as Waterstones have about 18% of the market. Thus even in total, libraries have limited buying power; in addition, because the range of books bought by libraries tends to be wider than that bought by bookshops, deals on individual titles may not attract a large discount. However, the 55% trade discount typically enjoyed by book sellers, is now being shared with customer by online retailers such as Amazon, which introduces another issue with respect to book procurement. The PKF report concludes, “…therefore, it is clear why libraries enjoy smaller discounts than the retailers” ‘Department for Culture, Media and Sport’ (DCMS) and ‘Museums, Libraries and Archives Council’ (MLA) PKF report, par4.9, July 2005.
It should be noted, however, that library suppliers tend to provide ‘value added’ services, sometimes including, for example, special bindings, catalogue information, and even making selections on behalf of libraries as a result of library profiling.
The final report of the ‘Museums, Libraries and Archives Council – Better stock, better libraries: transforming library stock procurement (Phase 2), August 2006, reveals a complex and varied picture of practice nationally. It also seems clear that one of the keys to achieving optimum procurement for authorities is to understand how to exploit the virtues of commonality and working collectively, whilst ensuring libraries are locally responsive. Indeed there is the expectation that libraries will know their ‘customers’, else how will they meet local demand or fulfil user expectations.
Library efficiency
As previously noted, efficiency has to be linked to outcomes, but outcomes are determined by what the local authority has decided that the role and purpose of the service should be. For the PKF review this raises an issue because, “…public libraries operate with a very wide remit, which is to “provide a comprehensive and efficient library service for all persons desiring to make use thereof…and included the Framework for the future objectives of ‘life-long learning and social inclusion’” ‘Department for Culture, Media and Sport’ (DCMS) and ‘Museums, Libraries and Archives Council’ (MLA) PKF report, par5.3, July 2005. Such a wide remit invites many and varied interpretations and approaches to fulfil the remit. The library standards do not allow comment on efficiency, they merely address a quite limited level of service.
Therefore on the basis of the customer satisfaction survey approach referred to above, the PKF report concluded that there was, “no proven correlation between spend and effectiveness” and that the comparisons between library authorities can only be useful in posing questions and areas for further analysis, but not for drawing definitive conclusions about relative efficiency. ‘Department for Culture, Media and Sport’ (DCMS) and ‘Museums, Libraries and Archives Council’ (MLA) PKF report, par5.27, July 2005.
Use of employees
The PKF report draws a primary distinction between ‘front’ and ‘back’ office roles. Whilst the remit of this review does not encompass staffing ‘per se’ it is the case that PKF appear to recommend, as a principle, that library services may need to consider either a different mix of roles or categories of staff, or a more fluid approach that allows back office staff to be ‘released’ to customer facing roles. The report suggests that, “The key impact of this re-deployment must be a measurable improvement in service, for example, longer opening hours or an increase in books or access to information through ICT” . ‘Department for Culture, Media and Sport’ (DCMS) and ‘Museums, Libraries and Archives Council’ (MLA) PKF report, par6.28, July 2005. The assumption might be that if services improve as indicated, for the same cost, then it could be said that the service thereby becomes more efficient.
ICT
ICT does, and should play a major role in:
• Collecting data and providing reports on book borrowing, stock management, customer/borrower behaviour and library use
• Financial management of libraries
• Procurement
• Inter-library loan management
• Provision of access to databases and information stores for public and staff
• Internet and web-based facilities, such as libraries website
Whilst it is not within the terms of this review to assess either the cost of providing and maintaining ICT systems for the library service, nor to evaluate the systems that they have, questions may nevertheless be raised concerning their role or potential role in issues raised.
Conclusion
The challenges facing libraries and library services are not inconsiderable. There is little debate to be had around the steady and continuing decline in the use of libraries and in particular book borrowing. Some libraries have either slowed down the rate of decline, or, in exceptional cases reversed it. Broadly, proactive library services approach the problem by either adopting a book-based strategy, or by taking an innovation route. Either way, enthusiasm and high motivation may in itself be credited with some success. Book based solutions tend to focus more on quality and range of book stocks, while innovative approaches focus more on community demographics and looking for a better match between what communities are looking for and what the library can provide. However, this simplification does not do justice to the complexity of the problem, and where book-based solutions are in place, these are usually accompanied by step changes in improving library environments, awareness raising, and the addition of features such as cafés. In other words, no one factor can be credited with success; the solutions are more holistic.
Critics of library services often point to the decline in library use as being the result of periods of declining book stocks, however, even this argument is complicated. Grindlay and Morris, in their articles on ‘The decline in adult book lending’ seem to show that the decline in library use began before book stocks began to decline, however, it could be argued that subsequent decline in book stocks would not have helped to arrest the decline, but rather increase it. It is particularly important that any strategy or planning decisions are based as far as possible on evidence; evidence of performance, usage and library user behaviour and preferences, and high quality demographic data, else opinion will dominate at the expense of good service to the community.
It is almost certain that decline in the use of libraries and of book borrowing is not just about books in libraries, for example, we are told that:
• People are still reading books (see Statistics on library use and reading habits – www.literacytrust.org.uk)
• People are purchasing more books that they used to according to the BML (Book Marketing Society)
• Grindlay and Morris attribute the capacity of people to buy, rather than borrow books, to greater affluence or spending power
Therefore, if people are still reading for pleasure, then the changing behaviour or preference among people and communities needs to be understood in order to determine what the role of libraries (or discovery centres) could or should be. It is, perhaps slightly too easy for the debate about libraries to become a debate about books when the issues are wider, and the questions more fundamental.
One fundamental question, then, is the first one addressed in this review of issues, ie. the role and purpose of libraries. Derek Jones, former Head of Libraries and Arts Services in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, cites some of the thinking behind the development of,
“… the Caxton Library; and on the walls of it let it be inscribed that the building had been erected by the people of England in memory of William Caxton as a free library for ever, and that it had been erected in the year when taxes upon knowledge had been altogether abolished.” From Derek Jones, London’s first public librarly: the history of the development of the public libraries of the united parishes of St.Margaret and St.John the Evangelist, Westminster 1856 -1900. http://www.derekjones.org/
The history of the development of public libraries indicates that they had a clear social purpose, ie. to provide free access to poorer people who could not afford to buy many books, indeed many would have struggled to buy food, and who aspired to find a way out of poverty. Literacy did, and does provide such a way, and public libraries provided the means. The public library ‘solution’ complemented the demographic and social context of the time. Apart from an appeal to tradition, is it possible or necessary to redefine or reassert the purpose of libraries as the needs and habits of communities change?
The Audit Commission asserted that, “…Libraries need to provide the books and information services people want…”, however this general statement, does not address, for example, propositions such as it has been, “…argued persuasively that libraries’ role should be about reading, as an activity, rather than a focus on books themselves as physical objects for lending.” Public Libraries, House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, Third Report of Session 2004-05, par30, 2005. Such questions are fundamental in the sense that the future of library services will depend upon how their role or purpose fires the imagination of, or makes sense to, not only library users, but many who potentially could see libraries as fulfilling a practical role in their lives and in achieving their aspirations.
Posted by Perkins at 8:06 AM | Comments (0)
May 18, 2007
Records Office
Having moaned about the IT service in this town (whose name used to begin with a G but no longer does), now let me enthuse about the Local Records Office
If you have never indulged in archives and records then you must do it now. They are treasure beyond anything you might find in a Pyramid. More than that, you will be joining a free club of the nicest most helpful people on the planet. I spent the afternoon going through old maps of the town about which I am writing. It was just heaven.
The Parish record in 1580 admonished the vicar for taking too many fish from the catch of the fisherman. and so on.. I cannot give the secrets away..
Posted by Perkins at 5:45 PM | Comments (0)
May 17, 2007
To borrow, return or renew books
Perhaps this report will persuade the MLA and those who have been managing our public libraries that it has not been a good or popular idea to get rid of books- or even to stock less of them
People who take books from libraries are more likely to read them than people who buy them in shops-- books in libraries are an important part of our culture. Does it have to be said?
Posted by Perkins at 5:22 PM | Comments (14)
Computers in libraries
The entries and comments below about computers in libraries indicate that
- one of the intentions, among many good ones, for installing computers in libraries is to convey to the generation that have grown up with them, that libraries are in touch with their world.
- to do this effectively means doing it properly otherwise the effect is the exact opposite of what was intended: if I were to open a rock music shop and put photos of Andy Williams in the window, I would be being daft.
-it's no good libraries saying "we have put computers in our libraries- aren't we public spirited?" - that is plain bad management. The managers have to be aware of how their service matches up with the public expectation for excellence- that is part of what management means.
- if councils are placing restrictions on internet access in libraries, or on hardware and downloads then it's no good blaming the council IT department: it is part of the responsibility of the library managers to sort that out- no one else can. The council IT department may not be aware of the problem it is causing and it won't be aware until the library service makes a fuss. Then it's fairly easy for them to understand.
-If a service is to be offered it must be offered properly and in the best way one can (Ockham)
Posted by Perkins at 4:42 PM | Comments (4)
May 16, 2007
Good news from Upper Norwood
The local newspaper reports that Upper Norwood library is saved
This is good news and an interesting story. Upper Norwood library is independent of any one council. It is run as a library authority on its own with a management board and funding from two councils, Lambeth and Croydon. It is a good library, smart and well stocked and with a large clientele. Its independence, however, keeps it low down the list of priorities of the the two funding bodies. It nearly got closed by mistake. However, as I have said before, the local people in this area of South London are as well informed and articulate about public libraries as anywhere in the country and they have been out fighting for several months. It's good to see that they have succeeded!
Posted by Perkins at 2:19 PM | Comments (0)
The people's not work
In this large town, as I have explained, there is no internet cafe so I have taken to carrying my work around on a memory stick.
In the local "community" library I tried to attach a docuiment to an email and send it. This failed several times so I asked the nice lady at the desk (who was working on her own, I might observe, to all those who refuse to staff a library desk alone).
"You can't use a memory stick in our computer" she said. "I can't even use one in my computer behind the desk. It's only possible at the central library. Sorry"
Number 15 bus to the city centre and I tried the same thing in a computer in the Central Library. It still didn't work. The lady at the desk was less pleasant. "We have two computers that can read from a memory stick, but they aren't connected to the internet"
"Why?"
"Well you can't expect everything. We are a free service."
"No you aren't. But why?"
"I don't know. It's because of viruses." She said that to make me feel dirty.
"But any internet cafe would allow you to use a memory stick."
"Pete, there's someone being difficult."
Hasty retreat. Actually after wandering the streets for a while and asking in shops a friendly but nervous young man told me that you can use the computers in "CSV" - community service volunteers. So here I am.
Posted by Perkins at 2:00 PM | Comments (4)
Lost comments
Many apologies, I have just deleted a number of comments by mistake. Please post them again- I think they were
Tom asking me to name the councils which I know pay CILIP subs
Pete offering Katie his email address (!)
Miriam asking if my theory about Internet cafe's would apply to DVD rental shops
Pete saying he understood my theory-- and then I lost them all.
Posted by Perkins at 11:29 AM | Comments (5)
May 14, 2007
Pouring oil on troubled SYRUP
Poor Bob McKee in last week's Bookseller is forced to admit defeat. In response to a question about Hampshire's decision to stop using the word "librarians" for the staff in its library service, all Bob could muster was "that he was less worried about the name change and more worried about the skills the sector may lose"; "what employer's have got to ask is "Where is the evidence of competence?"
Quite right-- where is the evidence of competence? Can councils depend on CILIP to help them run decent library services? Of course not. CILIP have no idea how to run a public library service any longer. They have killed it off
What about some leadership Bob? Why don't CILIP respond to the challenge made by the Select Committee two years ago? How many councils are still paying CILIP subscriptions for their staff?
One of my commenters below says that CILIP could make a contribution to make to improving the service. That's right - they could : the terrible waste of money lies in their failure to: they don't.
No more CILIP conferences; no more expensive seminars. No more world tours for the executives. Shut it down. Stop your subscription, or you'll find the press asking councillors why they pay for this nonsense out of council tax.
Posted by Perkins at 5:10 PM | Comments (6)
May 10, 2007
About Philip Pettifor
Philip Pettifor is one of the main creators of the current campaign to save the British Public Library Service. Sadly he died, far too young and far too suddenly, earlier this year. We have made this link in his honour and memory.
Philip Pettifor was one of the most cultured people you could have met. He read widely and digested everything; he could recollect astonishing quantities of English literature and history. Yet his early genius was a musician. He was sent to Cambridge as a choir scholar and later became a leading choral tenor in the best choirs of the country.
He made his living as a communications and press agent who worked for many leading British companies advising them how to handle their relations with journalists and with their own staff. In this field he was one of the most respected and liked experts. There was no side to him and he was one of the clearest thinkers one could have met. He not only had a terrific sense of humour and fun but he was also a deeply loyal friend and supporter of those with whom he worked. Many people turned to him in crisis or difficulty and at those times he was a wonderful ally.
He was a natural to the book industry and became involved in communications strategies for both Sherratt and Hughes and then Waterstone's in the late 80's. When the charity Libri was trying to define its view on the state of public libraries in 2001 it was natural to turn to Philip to ask him "What are we trying to say?"
It was Philip's idea that the report "Who's in Charge?" should have the title it carried; and it is a tribute to him that so often it is that question which is raised when there are discussions about how to make improvements in libraries. The report was subjected to his heavy editing skill and has stood scrutiny because of that work.
He wanted to make sure that the national press picked up the problems that were raised by that work and to his great pleasure he obtained more press mention for Libri and the report in the year of it publication than all other public library press combined- including that from the professional and ministerial bodies and the minister himself. Everyone now says- "well that report got a lot of attention" - and that is entirely because of Philip.
I thought it was the best publicity and press campaign I have ever seen in the book publishing industry.
In the year following he created a website and a further report called "From University to Village Hall" which is a wonderful and truthful portrayal of the dismal state of the service. All Philip's material from that website is now available here in this page in his memory.
He was my best friend for twenty years and I talked to him regularly and constantly during the last couple of years when we worked on libraries. We were very close indeed and on the day before he died he made me promise not to give up our work. I miss him greatly.
Posted by Perkins at 7:04 PM | Comments (1)
Councillors
In May each year council elections lead to the appointment of new council cabinet members with responsibility for public libraries. As far as I am aware, outside their own council no one sits down and discusses with them the problems and issues surrounding the public library service and how they can best address their new role. Their own officers, of course, will have a view, and brief accordingly, but anyone who ever saw "Yes, Minister" or even a reader of this blog, will know that a councillor ought to listen to other voices apart from those of the officers.
So last week there will have a been a considerable number of new entrants many of whom will have the ambition to make some improvements and I believe that they, more than any other group in central or local government, or in the library profession and its attendant interested parties, do have the opportunity to make changes: as I would say, to put the service back on the track from which it has strayed.
One such councillor, I won't say where, was given the post this time last year and she (or he) started by asking other experienced people in other councils to help. That has lead to a thorough appraisal in that council and the foundations have been laid properly, for the first time, for a complete renewal of that library service. There are many forces that might deflect the good work and these surround the project, but so far, there is strength and determination not to let them.
When it is possible to reveal exactly what is being done, I shall try to explain on here. But it is exciting and good news at last.
(apologies to commenters for being so slow to post your entries-- I am still without my own broadband in the wilderness. Someone one day will explain to me why library PC's have return keys that don't work, why you can't "copy and paste" - and even somtimes why you can't use "yahoo" and how with all these contraints you are supposed to manage. I don't want to reveal where I am it is a large county town) because I have been asked to write a book about a nearby area and I shall eventually depend upon the book sales!)
Posted by Perkins at 11:10 AM | Comments (3)
May 8, 2007
Internet access in libraries
Apologies for absence in the past couple of weeks: a set of circumstances too complicated to explain have meant that I have been spending time out of London and without ready access to my internet connection.
Most of the time I am in a large town on which there are, despite my expectations, no internet cafes. When I ask I am told that they could not survive because the local library has put them out of business.
Of course I have joined the library, where the staff were jolly helpful. However when I want to use a terminal during the day, there are never any - and anyhow they only allow a half hour session. When I want to use a terminal in the evening, Sunday, or yesterday's bank holiday - they are shut. It's a very poor service. Therefore one has to say it is a shame that enterprising internet cafe operators have been put out of business (and probably illegal, I would have thought, to have a situation in which the state is subsidising competition to genuine trade)
Posted by Perkins at 11:34 AM | Comments (5)
May 1, 2007
Collapse of the MLA
Following David Lammy's demotion as minister no longer for libraries and Chris Batt's resignation, also at the request of this blog, I am now told on good authority that Mark Wood, chair of the MLA is also about to be moved from his post.
Moreover, curiously, the MLA seem also to be re-advertising the jobs currently held by John Dolan, Andrew Stevens and Sarah Wilkie
Things are looking up. I predict that Gordon Brown's new minister for libraries will re-emphasis the importance of books in libraries by offering a one off £100m to increase the quality of current book collections. Watch the publishers jump when that announcement is made. The MLA in the meantime has been told to find some new staff who actually know what a book is and how to read it,
Posted by Perkins at 3:44 PM | Comments (14)