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March 17, 2008
The worst writing you have ever read
DCMS (The Ministry of Silly Ideas) published a document today in the name of The Minister and some other noddle head. It is about Culture and Sport and is called ' A passion for Excellence'
It means absolutely nothing from beginning to end. . But it has been posted here as an example of how not to write English
The persistent reader will find that among all the rest of it, that all the many attempts at measuring and setting standards for public library service devised and revised in the past 10 years have all herein been scrapped. All the wondrous Best Value Indicators, Public Library Service Standards, Impact Measures and all the rest have been replaced by just one measure.. That is '' Ask People if they went to a public library in the last year... or not'
The only good thing about the whole expensive garbage is that the MLA appears to have been closed down. It doesn't actually say that, but then, it doesn't actually say anything. It is the absence of mention, that leads one to believe that the mighty Delay, The Department of Libraries and Archives-- has finally kicked the bucket. Hurrah.
Posted by Perkins at March 17, 2008 9:22 PM
Comments
"The persistent reader will find that among all the rest of it, that all the many attempts at measuring and setting standards for public library service devised and revised in the past 10 years have all herein been scrapped. All the wondrous Best Value Indicators, Public Library Service Standards, Impact Measures and all the rest have been replaced by just one measure.. "
This is true for all local government services. This is not something happening in isolation for libraries. It is true of planning, social services, education, etc. Not just libraries, mon brave!
Posted by: Guillame Bax at March 20, 2008 12:39 AM
Does that make it ok? The original reason (cited) for creating public library standards was to amplify the 1964 libraries act which requires the Minister to superintend the library service. He or she was empowered to ensure that library authorities provide not just libraries, but a comprehensive and efficient library service. The standards were an attempt to help councils understand what the minister might reasonably looki for. In other words, however well or badly they were framed, there was a recognition that libraries had a need for definition of purpose. That hasn't changed.
I can't see that just because some change has been made to other services that is reason for this-- mon oeuf.
Posted by: perkins at March 20, 2008 10:09 AM
In the light of current government policy relating to local government the 1964 act is looking anachronistic. I suspect the act is not long for this world. The 2007 Local Government Act is what you need to get to grips with, the 1964 Act is history I'm afraid.
Posted by: Guillame Bax at March 21, 2008 8:37 PM
That just makes government policy sound rather like avand garde art-- so long as what we do tomorrow bears no relation to what we thought yesterday, our existence is justified, to ourselves.
But that is not a satisfactory explanation of the role of government at all.
Your comments M Bax, would ring better if you could avoid the final bon mot-- as if no one could understand the deeds of our masters.
What do you do?
Posted by: perkins at March 21, 2008 11:40 PM