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June 7, 2008
A sensible plan for the public library service
From Martyn Everett:
As a contrast to vague aspirations of the MLA document I thought it might be useful to suggest a few practical ways in which an improvement in the public library service might be achieved. I am sure other people can suggest equally valid measures.
Establishment of a new Central London Research Library (to take strain off British Library).
Single London Library ticket.
Improve book-stocks - introduction of standard author lists, increase subject range of purchases.
Improved supply times for new books - within 3 weeks of publication. Streamlining of supply chains.
Bring all libraries up to minimum H & S standards within 3 years
Increased opening hours for all libraries - and provision of public toilets in libraries wherever possible.
All libraries to be provided with quiet study space, and provision of ‘dedicated’ sound-proof areas for noisey activities, daytime meetings etc.
All libraries to have book magazines and display material promoting books.
Re-introduction of book-stacks and “long tail” supply.
Free publication of CIPFA figures in full. CIPFA figures available online..and linked from library websites. Publication of local performance statistics in local libraries. (These are already collected)
Roll out programme of additional quality online services (eg JSTOR) or establishment of a similar co-operative project for public libraries. Systematic archiving of journals and magazines.
Reintroduction of binding and conservation programmes.
Re-introduction of Local Studies Collections with libraries acting as local “deposit’ libraries for local publications.
Introduction of blogs listing new books added to stock, with links through to catalogue.
Production of reading lists on particular subjects/ authors (paper and online with link through to catalogue)
Involvement in key book promotion events at local level eg World Book Day - Local Literature festivals. Support for local bookshops.
Limiting the use of mobile phones, and eating & drinking to designated areas.
Provision of drinking water for the public.
Establishment of a national on-line virtual library along the lines of BUBL for public libraries with websites organised by dewey number and indexed by keyword or similar along lines of Intute/ bubl.
Abolition of existing managerial structure and its replacement by a co-operative staff structure to increase motivation involvement etc. More book related training for staff. Streamlining of bureacratic and administrative processes, and ensure that centralised staff are providing support for local services, and not the other way round.
Introduction of a UK spelling requirement in children’s books
Increased purchase of children’s book prize-winners
Annual readers meetings for all libraries, attended by Councillors.
Posted by Perkins at June 7, 2008 7:56 PM
Comments
Martyn Everett(ARE YOU FROM AN ACADEIMIC LIBRRAY MARTYN) cant be blamed for coming up with an alternative to the MLA plan, and his ideas may be aspirational, but I am afraid some are not very practical or ever likely to be implemented.
At what cost a new Central London Research Library. Unrealistic in a number of ways. The BL has grant in aid, it is now working well with public libraries and of course it has legal deposit. How would such a new libray be set up and funded, by whom, and how would it be funded and how would it afford the stock, especially in the day of the internet?Is such a place needed?
the next 3 points would be quite simple to do if the 149 library auhtorities worked together, but see how the MLAs plans on a simialr propsal hit the dust (but it was an overloaded and hugely expensive idea), this simpler approach could happen fairly easily.
Opening hours and toilets practical, but more practical would be opening hours when the public most want them, not when the staff wish to work.
Quiet space etc and book mags are usually available in a great many libraries where space etc allow (but there are some tiny branches which cant do everything). And peole do wush in to the librray on a monday with the weekedn reviews, but then of course the long wait and the waiting lists!
Have you been reading Lorcan's long tail Martyn?
On line services, wellthe Poeples Netwrok needs huge investement and many more sophistications urgently.It has stagnated.I think about the quip 'I've started, but I havent finished', which sums up the People's Network!
Most public libraries have good local collections, obe of their jewels ion the crown.
many have reading lists
many do participate in promotional events, and most do limit use of phones and eating and drinking etc.
re BUBL see above re Poeles network.
Managerial structure and training mattersare, unfortunatley for each library authority and qualifications is of course for Syrup, but does need changing. And of course poele need training in the work they are supposed to do, but need retail, marketing and promotional skills as well as knowledge of books. Not a core part of any of the trianing however, more is spent on RFID I would guess!
Perhaps if there had been wider consultation on the MLA stuff some of these things, which are sensible and practical could hae been aired?
But we have HAD SO MANY PLANS, SO MANY WARNINGS AND SO LITTLE ACTION.
Posted by: BB at June 9, 2008 11:09 AM
I am disappointed that you don't think my suggestions are practical. I had tried to make practical suggestions, rather than aspirational statements, because they are easier to achieve.
Amsterdam has a great new central public library, and I don't quite understand why London should be unable to develop the same? It could be an initiative of the Greater London Authority, or a co-operative effort by the London Boroughs. Lets have a bit of vision about how we want the service to develop rather than complaining about decline in service.
I agree - many libraries do achieve these things already - that's why they could be achieved by ALL libraries.
I don't think study space is unreasonable even in small libraries. It is no good running a library in one town but telling the people that use it that the study space is only available 15 miles away!
Local Studies collections were a strong feature of many libraries, but are no longer valued or resourced in the way that they used to be. A real pity because they could really help with what is known as "brand identity" and locate the library at the heart of its local community.
I agree - there have been so many plans - and so many targets, so many people with clipboards measuring and counting things..it is precisely for that reason that I tried to list things about which there could be no misunderstanding about. (Either there is a toilet or there isn't).
Posted by: Martyn at June 10, 2008 5:09 PM