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July 29, 2007
Libraries in India
The National Knowledge Commission of India has recommended that their government should set up a special body to oversee the improvement of public libraries in their country.
I should love to help them - and I wish our Government would do the same.
Posted by Tim Coates at July 29, 2007 1:20 PM
Comments
Surely this is the role of the MLA? Or do we need a new NDPB (nee Quango?)Or just a refocusing of the MLA's efforts?
Posted by: Pete at July 30, 2007 4:52 PM
What the MLA needs is a nuclear attack with mosquitoes to follow. And a saw for its branches.
Posted by: Tim Coates at July 31, 2007 9:26 PM
So, a well thought out plan there...I think the MLA is at least as deserving of protection as the library suppliers they want to destroy...
In all seriousness Tim, what would your public library improvement body look like?
Posted by: Pete at August 1, 2007 8:43 AM
A body that helps councils run good library services-- and helps the Minister perform her role. And acts with urgency and purpose
If you search thorugh the blog for "English Library Board" I talked some time ago at length about it.
Posted by: Tim Coates at August 1, 2007 11:53 AM
I did so but found no posts which laid out in detail who would sit on such a board, how they would be held accountable etc. And what happens to current MLA staff. Neither you nor I are accountable to anyone in pub lib terms, yet we are happily discussing sacking people essentially.
My take on this is on my blog at http://havemercia.wordpress.com/2007/05/08/public-libraries-what-would-i-do/
Posted by: Pete at August 1, 2007 1:19 PM
Accountability has to lie with local councils, unless the minister "intervenes" in some way. The minister, however, is responsible for "superintending" the whole service and obtaining such data from councils as she needs to do that. It's all in the Act-- which is very clear and sensible.
I would have a small board which is partly executive - and strives to help councils; and partly non executive which obtains information and advises the minister how well the service is performing.
But it would replace all the existing quangoes boards, committees and institutions and concentrate solely on public libraries in England.. I would foresee most of the staff being itinerant. I also think there is a vital role in staff training on behalf of councils, which is not being carried out at present.
But the key to its performance is the need for urgent, purposeful improvement, council by council. No more long reports, blueprints or frameworks-- just helping councils and councillors do the job with which they are charged.
Posted by: Tim Coates at August 1, 2007 4:04 PM
I don't see a problem with much of that. The main concern I would have is with the literal partiality of councillors and their often short-term nature and outlook. If there were some balance to that, such as community and library staff involvement it would help.
Pub libs are too important to be left to councillors and ministers...
Posted by: Pete at August 1, 2007 4:18 PM