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December 9, 2008
Respect for people who use libraries, people who campaign for their survival and improvement and normal people who believe they are important.
You don't have to be a library user to believe that libraries are important. I don't have to go to school to believe that schools and what is taught in them is a matter in which I should take an interest. One doesn't have to be a regular or an occasional book reader to know that public libraries are a key to the values of the world we live in.
Many people, all over the country, campaign or argue for the survival of the public libraries and for their improvement. There are user groups and campaign groups all over the place. Their access to information is limited to whatever the local council or national quangoes will let them see or find out, but they do find out what they can and they try to use it to persuade their local and national representatives to listen and to act to fight for what they understand to be the essence of the service. Sometimes they gather when they hear of threatened closures, sometimes when book funds are cut, sometimes to hear what plans are being made for new developments or changes. Sometimes they just write, somtimes they just gather statistics.
They aren't mad. On the contrary they are exceptionally sane, wise, articulate and informed. One wouldn't expect otherwise.
And they do criticise councils and government with full justification for what has happened to public libraries. There isn't a minister who in my memory hasn't conceded that the public library service needs improving.
So I object vehemently when the MLA puts out messages like this
- From Andrew Motion, chair of the MLA this week .... "We also have an Action Plan for public libraries and we are supporting the DCMS review. Libraries occasionally draw criticism from some ill-informed commentators, many of whom when asked, can’t remember when they last set foot in one. But every single day, fantastic work and developments are occurring in libraries right across the country."
and this from the MLA website at present: " The MLA will have a pivotal role in shaping the modernisation review of libraries announced this morning. The review will build upon our library action plan and will set out a 21st century roadmap for the public library service.
It gives us all the opportunity to build a public library service that meets the aspirations of current and future generations, with more flexible opening and services aimed at the user. Many libraries are already delivering exciting and engaging services, often unnoticed by London-centric commentators, and are at the hub of their local communities. However, more needs to be done and our message is that young people should find ‘library-space’ as welcoming, relevant and as engaging as ‘cyber-space’"
Those people who criticise are entitled to do so. It doesn't matter whether they write long articles or make brief comments in newspapers. They have a view to which government officers like Mr Motion and Mr Clare are paid to note. They pay their taxes. If Mr Motion and his colleagues took time to listen to what they said and understand why they say it, they would be the wiser and more useful for it.
It would help so much if these people at the MLA and in other responsible positions could show just a tiny bit more respect for those people who, unpaid, advocate with passion for public libraries. Theirs a is a strength that should be used, not derided.
This country is not yet run entirely for the benefit of people in government -- there is still an electorate and it is not so stupid and downtrodden that it will endure nonsense for ever.
Yesterday I was shown an immense document about the improvement of libraries in London. It is heartening to see time and effort put into such a worthwhile subject, but within it I could find no trace or attempt of anyone to talk to the network of library user groups in London to ask them for their views. It would have been such a sensible thing to do. Of course we wait to see if the DCMS makes a similar ommission in its current review. Let's hope not.
Posted by Perkins at December 9, 2008 9:23 AM
Comments
I see that the MLA website contains yet another instance of that weary cliché about the "21st century", and, what's more, puts it alongside another cliché, "road map".
What do these words really mean? If anything, the 21st century (almost a tenth over) is characterised by a foolish war linked with worldwide financial meltdown.
Perhaps if politicians and bankers were given to reading more, they would have a better grasp of the world in front of their screen-drained eyes.
As for the MLA's patronising phrase about "young people", libraries are open to all. But I suspect that if Roy Clare showed up at a basement club for a drum 'n' bass evening he would not be allowed in.
Schools should be doing more, but of course Chesterfield thinks it cool to do away with a school library.
Posted by: Christopher Hawtree at December 9, 2008 12:18 PM