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February 13, 2008
The cost of CIPFA public library statistics
In a previous entry Martyn asked why the public has to pay to obtain statistics about the performance of the public library service - the only figures available about individual councils come from CIPFA
Jim, from CIPFA, responds
"The answer to Martyn’s question as to why the CIPFA stats are not made freely available to the public is simple. CIPFA is the leading, independent source of comprehensive data about local government services and has been collecting and publishing data for over a century. Our Statistical Information Service has developed a reputation for robust and reliable data sets, following a statistical code of conduct, and applying a stringent data validation process. Our data collection surveys are continuously reviewed by a network of working parties involving key players to ensure the data we collect are relevant and fit for purpose. These extensive activities are funded by sales of publications and databases."
Yes, but this only answers half the question.. Where are the performance figures for the public library service for which the public pay? Of course Jim and his chums need paying-- so do we all; that's not the point.
The Act of Parliament by which the public library service operates requires the Minister to 'collect such data as is needed to perform his/ her duty to superintend the service' Why can't the public have access to this information -- and where is it?
The truth is that there ought to be clear, consistent, timely performance information about every public library freely available to the public (who have paid for it through their taxes) -- and there is not.
In fact the whole role of providing information should be in the hands of an independent body-- who can see it from the public's point of view-- someone like the Consumers' Association.
Posted by Perkins at February 13, 2008 8:27 PM
Comments
Thanks for the response Jim. I would like to make a suggestion which is that every library authority that purchases a paper copy of the CIPFA stats is also given free online access - accessible via a link on the appropriate library website. In this way CIPFA would still gain the income from sales of copies, but the public would gain online access via their local library website.
In fact, the public already pay twice for the stats - because they pay for the public library copy, but they also pay their local library services to collect the data which is subsequently "validated" by CIPFA.
Posted by: Martyn at February 14, 2008 12:21 AM
That's fine-- but someone should also work on simplifying the CIPFA presentation so that it is relevant and comprehensible to the public. The most key player of all is the taxpayer.
There should be no need for a separate and equally incomprhensible LISU presentation which basically reports the same information.
At present they both givve the impression that public libraries are run for the benefit of librarians and government officials. Heaven forbid.
Posted by: Perkins at February 14, 2008 12:46 PM
I notice that the DCMS publish individual results on their website for the public library standards, which is available to the public.
http://www.culture.gov.uk/Reference_library/Publications/archive_2008/plss_results2006-7.htm
Posted by: Martin at February 15, 2008 10:24 AM