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October 29, 2008
A working conference in Hampshire
I believe that the Minister's review of public libraries is neither going to address the correct issues nor will it create genuine lasting and positive change. It can't do either-- the right people aren't involved; they haven't got the information they need and the agenda that has been set is the wrong one.
I'm not just saying this to pour scorn on the DCMS, I'm saying it because I seek endlessly the forum or the mechanism that will bring improvement. It's about who manages the service and who can actually change what happens and persuading them to do the right things.
That is why I am so pleased that Hampshire County Council and their leader have picked up the challenge I made them. I genuinely believe Ken Thornber understood what I was saying when we talked on Sunday. And here is his statement (and mine) on the Hampshire County Council website. I want this to be the big turning point, this will produce the leadership and form the task force which is needed. This will be the group that will at last provide the resource that other councils need and to whom they can turn.
Here is Benedicte Page's story in The Bookseller. It all started with the writing of the report 'Who's in Charge?'
Posted by Perkins at October 29, 2008 11:31 PM