« Fringe Meeting in Liverpool | Main | A new minister »
October 4, 2008
The destruction of British public lending libraries
CIPFA figures reveal that in the ten years from 1996/7 to 2006/7 lending of books by public libraries to the adult population in the UK fell from 8.2 books each year per person to 4.5 books each year. This is a fall of 45%
(During that period funding of public libraries rose by 7% above the rate of inflation)
In 2004 The National Literacy Trust quoted Richard Morrison :
"More people than ever are reading for pleasure: 65% (according to a survey in June 04) compared with 55% in 1979. But now most prefer to buy their own books, rather than borrow. There are many reasons behind this change ranging from frustration at the petty bureaucracy of library borrowing to the booktrade's adoption of Hollywood's marketing techniques to the simple fact that many bookshops are open when libraries are shut."
Whatever the intention of 'Framework for the Future' and its attempts to broaden the appeal of public libraries, at no point did anyone in Government or in the population ask that our public libraries reduce the service of lending books; but they have. It would have been, and still is, perfectly possible to modernise libraries so that they participate in this national growth in and enjoyment of reading and to eliminate these 'petty bureaucracies' and practices which act as an impediment to popularity. But no, instead, this destruction of one of the great library lending services has been entirely and deliberately brought about under the leadership of those Chief Librarians who decided in private conclave to advocate and undertake it. It was they who decided to play down the role of lending books in libraries. They are the ones who constantly proclaim that libraries are 'no longer just about books' and so-saying focus their attention on other activities. They accounted to no one while it was being done. They had no right to do it and it was wrong. It needs to be reversed.
This is what The Minister, Andy Burnham, and Roy Clare of the MLA should tell the annual libraries conference next week. We have been victims of a sad breach of trust and the wisdom of that trust has to be questioned. They should call for an urgent change of direction, as I do.
Posted by Perkins at October 4, 2008 9:29 AM
Comments
I think it may be even more basic. There are many, many people who do not realise that libraries are free at point of use, even people who attend library events (such as storytimes) on a regular basis.
Posted by: Lizz at October 9, 2008 5:21 PM