The Good Library Blog: April 2009 Archives

« March 2009 | Main | May 2009 »

April 30, 2009

Chapter 12

"Whereby the reader will be enabled to trace further the course of Miss Fanny Squeer's Love, and to ascertain whether it ran smooth or otherwise"

I only wrote that sentence because I spent all afternoon wishing I could write sentences like that. Sadly, someone else wrote it out before the words within it came into my mind. If only....

It seems such a 'modern' thing to say.

Posted by Perkins at 10:20 PM | Comments (1)

April 28, 2009

Public meeting in Swindon

Here is the article reporting yesterday's meeting in Swindon.. from the excellent Swindon Advertiser
A sub editor might have improved the reported grammar, but never mind

Posted by Perkins at 9:09 AM | Comments (0)

April 27, 2009

Fidel Catso

Reporting from a library in Deal in Kent

Posted by Perkins at 9:43 PM | Comments (2)

Political Drama in Swindon

Of the three councillors mentioned in this article about Swindon, Rod Bluh is the leader, Fionuala Foley is the deputy leader and Ward Councillor for Old Town, where the library debate is centred, and Nick Martin is the cabinet member who holds responsibility for public libraries.

It appears quite likely that current events, which look fairly volcanic will produce not least a change in political management of the libraries.

Posted by Perkins at 8:56 AM | Comments (3)

April 25, 2009

Leadership of the MLA

From Shirley Burnham

"I have received a message from Roy Clare, CEO of the MLA, and as a result feel it only fair that I should distinguish the actions of the MLA from those he takes personally. He is, of course, responsible for the work of the MLA, but has rights as an individual, too. The way I phrased part of my letter to the Secretary of State could possibly be read as a personal attack on Roy, when the criticism was directed to the MLA, under Roy's leadership.

I should be most grateful if this clarification could be put on any Blogs on which my letter to DCMS has appeared and forwarded to anyone else to whom you might have passed on that letter."

Done. By the way somebody yesterday said that they didn't believe that the quote about 'not prviding a platform for people who disagree with the MLA' was real-- well, for doubters, here are the minutes of that meeting in full, The reference is in para 29...

Minutes of the 53rd Meeting of the MLA Board
held at 1pm on Wednesday 26 November 2008 at The Royal Geographical Society, London

Present: Andrew Motion, Chair
Geoffrey Bond
Alex Cunningham
Nicholas Dodd
Helen Forde
Sir Geoffrey Holland
John Hicks
Glen Lawes
Robert Wand

In attendance: Roy Clare, Chief Executive
Sam Bestwick, Director of Engagement
Jon Finch, Director of Engagement
John Harrison, Head of Communications
John Haward, Interim Head of Planning Paul Lander, Director of Corporate Services
Hedley Swain, Director of Programme Delivery
Sue Wilkinson, Director of Policy and Sustainability

Observers: Jane Carmichael, Observer, Scotland
Irene Knox, Observer, Northern Ireland
Linda Tomos, Observer, Wales

Apologies: Sarah Carthew
Yinnon Ezra
John Tarrant

Declarations of Interest

53/001 Interests were declared by Geoffrey Bond (Chair of MLA London), Nick Dodd (Hub lead), John Hicks (potential commercial interests), and Sir Geoffrey Holland (Chair, MLA South West).

Welcome and Introductions

53/002 Andrew Motion welcomed two new observers, Jane Carmichael from Scotland and Linda Thomas from Wales.

Minutes of previous meeting

53/003 The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as being an accurate record of the meeting held on 24 September 2008.

MLA work with DIUS and DCSF

53/004 Roy Clare introduced Natasha Innocent, Senior Policy Adviser on Learning and Skills. Natasha spoke to her paper, highlighting the importance of learning and skills for the Government, for the sector, and therefore for the MLA. Natasha outlined some of the highlights of MLA activity:

53/005 The requirement for 5 hours per week of cultural activity had raised its profile on several fronts, and the Find Your Talent initiative was continuing successfully. The MLA was also funding a post within Partnerships for Schools, the body charged with delivering Building Schools for the Future, to maintain the profile of cultural provision

53/006 Turning to adults, John Denham was the first Minister to be appointed with a specific brief for adult learning. Natasha’s priority had to work closely within the Department to help shape its priorities. This had made it easier to respond quickly to shifting thinking and priorities within the Department, and appeared to be paying dividends. Current priorities included the probable publication of a Government statement on adult learning in January 2009, possibly a White Paper, which was likely to include specific references to the value and potential contribution of museums, libraries and archives in this area. A particular interest of John Denham’s was informal learning for adults, over and above specific vocational skills; and he may be keen to look beyond the traditional focus on vocational training for low skilled adults. There had been some useful and timely research in the North East showing the impact libraries could have on employability for high priority groups.

53/007 In discussion, Andrew Motion thanked Natasha for her enthusiastic contribution, and welcomed the greater responsiveness of Government to cross-domain cultural working. Sir Geoffrey Holland believed this was an exciting time for those who valued adult learning, and it presented opportunities for the MLA and the sector. There might be scope for closer working with FE colleges and other providers of post-18 education (Geoffrey Bond suggested the Workers Education Association as a possibility); and perhaps also with DWP and Job Centres, who would need to respond to rising unemployment. Government might also be wise also to recognise some cultural institutions as providers of adult learning; certain libraries were obvious examples. There were also opportunities around improving employability of adult workers, and around young people not in employment, education, or training (NEETS). These issues would quickly become increasingly visible to Government. He would like the MLA and the sector to respond with thoughtful actions that might have a real impact, rather than short term palliatives of the sort that might seem attractive politically; the sector was placed to offer information, advice and guidance, and perhaps more tangible steps such as extended apprenticeship schemes.

53/008 In response to a question from John Hicks, Natasha Innocent suggested that those local authorities who were not yet addressing these issues could be encouraged by exemplars, by persuasive publicity such as seminars, by working learning and skills themes into Renaissance funded activity and other MLA programmes, and perhaps by working with Government to revise the National Indicator Set to include an indicator around this activity. Nick Dodd felt it was important to recognise that every region would have its own particular employment characteristics and economic cycles that national templates would be wise to respect. He also asked how the MLA would define the outcome it sought when working in the area, and how it might measure its impact; these were not questions with immediate answers.

53/009 In conclusion, the Board NOTED the report and welcomed the activity being undertaken by the MLA in learning and skills.

Financial report, and oral report of Finance Sub Committee

53/010 Geoffrey Bond and Paul Lander introduced this item. Overall the situation was satisfactory, with the issue of the pension liabilities of the Regional Agencies being by far the largest area of risk and uncertainty.

53/011 On programme expenditure, there continued to be a substantial under-spend of about £3m on Renaissance that would be directed toward other Renaissance projects that had previously been on a reserve list. Progress varied significantly between regions; Paul Lander agreed to provide an overview of the under-spend by region. Hubs had assured the MLA that all Renaissance funding would be properly committed in the current financial year. Other areas were broadly on track.

53/012 On organisational expenditure, predictably MLA running costs were starting to pickup as more staff came into new posts. Overall re-structuring costs looked perhaps £.5m lower than provided for. That sum had been added to the contingency for winding up of the Regional Agencies, which had been increased from £4.5m to £5.5m on actuarial advice.

53/013 The cost of wind up, which was mainly around pensions liabilities, was still not yet fully quantified for reasons set out to the Audit Committee. It was likely that detailed negotiations might take six to nine months for each Agency, so the cycle should be complete around the end of the 2009 / 10 financial year. MLA London would of course follow the same course, but about a year later.

53/014 A forward financial plan, based on the best available information, indicated that the MLA should have an uncommitted reserve of about £1m in 2011. However any spend on re-structuring that exceeded the £5.5m provided for would have to be drawn from that £1m reserve. DCMS had accepted for the moment that MLA needed to retain uncommitted reserves against this eventuality.

53/015 The Committee had confirmed that there were no further undiscovered risks within the MLA’s finances.

53/016 The Board NOTED the report of the Finance Sub Committee and the overall financial position of the MLA.

Creation of Regional Team / Wind Up of Regional Agencies

53/017 Paul Lander outlined progress. There was now a clear and agreed process for managing the TUPE rights and / or redundancies of current Agency staff, and all staff would know their position during the week of 8 December. There was also a clear and agreed process for handing the wind up of Regional Agencies. It had been used successfully already for MLA South East which had now ceased to operate. There was high degree of co operation from all Regional Agencies to make this work smoothly. The final stage of wind up would involve the MLA taking direct control of each Agency; this had been discussed and agreed with the Audit Committee, members of which would act as Trustees for the final stage of wind up for each Regional Agency. Although it had been reported to the Audit Committee that the Board of MLA North East preferred to take a different path, it had in fact since been confirmed by Alex Cunningham that the North East would now follow the standard approach. The Charity Commission were being informed by the MLA’s legal advisers. The report of the Finance Sub Committee had dealt with the financial issues arising from the pensions liabilities of the Regional Agencies.

53/018 Members asked for clarification of the position on indemnity for retiring Directors and Chairs. Paul Lander explained that MLA Board Members were covered by the MLA’s own insurance; and he would pursue with DCMS the possibility of obtaining letters of comfort from the DCMS for retiring Chairs similar to the example offered by Sir Geoffrey Holland. Agency Directors who were not MLA Board Members were more complicated and should be covered by the insurance of each Agency.

53/019 Roy Clare acknowledged the impressive legacy of the Regional Agencies asked that the minutes record his appreciation of the professional approach to wind up that was being taken on all sides.

Chief Executives Report

53/020 Roy Clare introduced his report, with other members of the Executive Board contributing. He felt that the report reflected well on the high level of activity and commitment of MLA staff during turbulent times. The following highlights were identified.

53/021 New planning guidelines for next year’s Renaissance funding had been issued. They represented a step change in expectations for Renaissance and had been broadly welcomed by Hubs.

53/022 PAS might be a casualty of the next spending round, but was continuing for now and being more closely linked with Renaissance.

53/023 The draft guidelines on Controversial Stock, which had been circulated to Board members, had been well received in extensive consultation and were now ready for submission to Government. Early indications were that Government would accept the approach recommended by the MLA.

53/024 The Archives Strategy, which built on strong joint working with TNA, needed only Ministerial agreement before going forward for a three month national consultation and publication shortly after that. The strategy itself seemed well founded, but sector expectations of what such a strategy might deliver were perhaps over-ambitious. The Board discussed the issue of sound archives, noting that the reduction of HLF funding in this area had undermined capital investment in some archives.

53/025 Improvement was becoming a dominant theme for the MLA, and increasingly underpinned the approach to individual programme areas, as well as (in due course) the work of the regional team. All the NDPBs were seeing improvement as increasingly important, and there was scope to collaborate in how it was achieved. It was agreed that this theme should be debated at greater length at a future Board meeting.
53/026 On the new regional teams, some sort of road show was envisaged once the new arrangements had fallen into place. The Board were mindful of the reputational risks to the MLA around the wind up of Regional Agencies and the need to make sure that the new arrangements were well known and understood by key stakeholders in the sector by whatever means necessary, perhaps including “trade” press.

53/027 The new website was expected to go live within a few days, with an increased range of material to support improvement.

53/028 The MLA was now well engaged with the DCMS Libraries Review, which was increasingly focussed on the consumer’s experience of libraries rather than the national institutional infrastructure. It was early days, but the review seemed now to have a positive focus.

53/029 Andrew Motion outlined the constructive meeting he and Roy Clare had with Lyn Brown MP, and looked forward to her follow up visit to the MLA’s Birmingham offices in January. Andrew Motion admired Lyn Brown’s passionate support for libraries, and while the MLA might differ with her on some issues he felt there was scope to reduce any misunderstandings and find some common ground. The same could not always be said for some of the sector’s most vociferous self-appointed critics, and the MLA was keen not to give a platform to those without a constructive agenda.

53/030 The Board NOTED the Chief Executive’s report and thanked him, the Executive Board, and the staff of the MLA for their energy and commitment.

Oral report of Audit Committee

53/031 Glen Lawes outlined the main points of the Audit Committee meeting. The position on pensions deficits had been discussed at both the Audit and Finance Committees, and an approach to the wind up of Regional Agencies had been agreed which involved appointing members of the Audit Committee as the Trustees of the Regional Agencies for the purpose of resolving pension liabilities and final closure. There were some reservations about the approach but no practicable alternatives, so this approach had been agreed subject to some additional safeguards to protect the MLA and the position of individual Board members.

53/032 The Audit Committee had also noted the unfortunate loss of a lap top from the new Birmingham offices. After some initial uncertainty, the risk to secure data arising from the theft had turned out to be low. Some immediate actions had been taken to tighten security, and consultants from the National Computer Centre were now advising on improvements to data security in the round. This would have significant implications for working practices and may also affect the Board. There would be a further report in due course.

53/033 On the MLA Risk Register, the Audit Committee had noted the mitigating actions being taken. It had also raised the level of risk around Governance from amber to red, largely due to the apparent delay in DCMS to address the urgent new for new Board members.

53/034 The Board NOTED the oral report of the Audit Committee.

Conflict of interest protocol

53/035 The proposed protocol on conflicts of interest was AGREED.

Any Other Business

53/036 The Board AGREED that the whole Board should attend a Board Development Day facilitated by the Clore Foundation, probably in late May or June.

………………………. ………………………
Andrew Motion, Chair Date

Posted by Perkins at 10:40 AM | Comments (1)

April 24, 2009

Mrs Burnham to Mr Burnham

Shirley Burnham is emphatic that she is no relation of the Minister of State.. Here is the letter she wrote him yesterday.. pretty good really ( in fact - faultless)

"The Rt Hon Andy Burnham MP
Secretary of State
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
2-4 Cockspur Street
London SW1Y 5DH Your Ref : 09-112998

24 April 2009

Dear Secretary of State

Thank you for your Department’s letter dated 21st April 2009, directed to me by Mr Dempster Marples, of your Public engagement and Recognition Unit -- in response to mine to you, of 26th February.

I understand that, in light of your powers of investigation and intervention under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964, and given the information available to you on receipt of my February letter, you were not minded to intervene in Swindon at that time.

However, matters have come to light subsequently which are relevant and which might cause you to reconsider.

· The council draft plan for libraries called ‘Libraries: Value for Money Savings 2009/10’lists 9 (nine) community libraries earmarked for future closure or to be run as book-lending points manned by volunteers. It is the only plan which explains the closure of 4 libraries named in the budget for 2009-10. After its revelation the council have attempted to label it as confidential for reasons that have not been made clear

· It is clear that in this plan, and from statements by councillors, that the council regards the improvement to the central library alone makes for a more comprehensive library service than a number of well-stocked and staffed community libraries. Our view is the opposite and we contend that the comprehensive quality of a library service to its communities lies equally in the smaller, local libraries. In this way we assert that, by closing such a number of community libraries the council plans will make the library service in Swindon ‘significantly less comprehensive’ for ‘those who wish to use it’

· The overall (gross) budget for the public library service (as shown in CIPFA data) is £4.5m for 17 libraries. The budget proposed for 2009-10 seeks a reduction in cost of £100,000. The saving to be made is minimal for a substantial cut in the number of community libraries. For this reason we contend that the proposed changes will make the library service ‘significantly less efficient’

· In your fourth paragraph you mention Roy Clare, Chief Executive of the MLA. I regret to report that, although Roy Clare was indeed keen to hear the concerns of local users in February 2009, his subsequent actions have, however, not focused on the issues which most concern them and have dismayed residents who have written to express their concern. This matter has become a subject of formal complaint to your own Department

· A complaint concerning the process and conduct of Swindon Borough Council has been endorsed by Anne Snelgrove, MP for South Swindon, and submitted to the Ombudsman early this week. I would be happy to supply you with copies of the detail

Your letter to me of 21st April, concludes that “the responsibility for public library services in Swindon lies with the local authority, which is accountable to the communities it serves”. While that is correct, the 1964 Act also clearly stipulates that the role of the Minister of State is to superintend the activities of each local council in its provision of the service and gives powers to intervene when there is evidence that the service falls short of it requirements of being comprehensive and efficient for those who wish to use it.

I therefore respectfully request, once again, that you consider intervening in Swindon, using your powers under that Act.

Yours sincerely

Shirley E Burnham

cc : Dempster Marples, Public Engagement & Recognition Unit, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, 2-4 Cockspur Street, London SW1Y 5DH

Posted by Perkins at 11:07 AM | Comments (1)

Wirral

The leader of Wirral Council has made a statement to the press about the hoo haa surrounding his proposals for the libraries on the Wirral. Alan Gibbons has posted it on his blog.

If the library service run by Wirral council were really excellent with attractive well stocked libraries, excellent knowledgeable, staff with a 'here to help', 'let's do all we can', 'open all hours' approach then we might be persuaded that this bloke knew what he was talking about-- or at least was worth listening to.

But it isn't - the library service in the Wirral is a mangy, run down, limping dog of a service, in great need of total overhaul . Before this man (and others like him) pronounce about the future of the planet, they should get on and spend a few years doing the day job properly. This is just a pile of excuses

And, by the way, this nonsense being paraded about colocation of buildings with public services needs to be watched very carefully. Sticking a library in a day care centre, doesn't make a good library. My friend who was forced to colocate a library with a council 'one stop shop' reports that the whole thing is a nightmare-- for the obvious reason that when someone comes in to ask a complicated question about support for care for the elderly, the library staff don't know the right answer and feel inadequate. Moreover,while it sounds good in theory, putting a public library in school premises doesn't always work either-- sometimes the grown ups are firghtened of the children, you know (things have changed since Dickens was writing)

Posted by Perkins at 9:12 AM | Comments (3)

April 23, 2009

Mrs Perkins

Many thanks to the council who sent a letter today with a kind invitation to a library opening addressed to 'Mr Perkins and Spouse'

We are grateful etc...

(Perkins is a lady, not one supposes in these times, that that makes a difference and it has to be admitted she spends much of the time on the couch in the boudoir).

Posted by Perkins at 7:38 PM | Comments (2)

April 21, 2009

Swindon Residents make a complaint to the Ombudsman

The "Save Old Town Library campaign" in Swindon have now lodged a formal and extensive complaint to the Government Ombudsman about the conduct and process of Swindon Borough Council in their decision to close library services in the Budget for 2009-10 .. The complaint was placed on their behalf by their local MP, Anne Snelgrove today.

In the Wirral a complaint to the Ombudsman was made by residents prior to the decision by the Minister to intervene. The Ombudsman in that case made clear that he would require the councillors responsible to justify their actions by showing that plans had been properly been drawn up and approved prior to the decision being made. We await the outcome of those inquiries.

In the case of Swindon it is indeed the processes of the council that have been at question all the time and it is proper that they should be examined.

Posted by Perkins at 7:15 PM | Comments (2)

Boris Johnson at the London Book Fair

I have been saying for ages that the London Book Fair should host the main library exhibitions and conferences. Here are the notes used by Boris Johnson in a speech he made at the Book Fair today (thanks to Richard Charkin)

Speaking notes• I’m delighted to be here for the 38th London Book Fair - the world’s most prestigious showcase for the publishing industry in the world’s leading creative centre
……….
• The publishing sector in this country has an extraordinary story to tell.
• It was in the UK that the first steam-powered presses were created in the 19th century – transforming the publishing industry and bringing printed material to world markets.
• And it was here, in 1709, that the Statute of Anne was passed, forming the basis for copyright law across the globe.
• Today, publishing is the country’s largest creative industry, employing more people and adding more to our economy than any other
• We produce well over 100,000 new titles each year and we export more books than any other country.
• And London is this countries creative hub. Home to a quarter of all publishers in the UK and contributing a third of total turnover.
……….
• What has been driving this success?
• First, London and the UK leads the way in producing the books which people love to read.
• JK Rowling’s Harry Potter is one of the world’s greatest children’s publishing success story of recent times.
• Second, the spread of the English language gives the UK publishing industry a powerful competitive advantage.
• New opportunities for UK publishers in non-English speaking countries are being created as English increasingly becomes the preferred second language across the globe
• Third, UK publishers have worked hard to establish networks of partners in overseas markets.
• Finally, the UK publishing industry leads the way in technical and commercial innovation.
• As one example, UK book publishers have been pioneers in the introduction of environmentally friendly strategies for their businesses, for instance in the use of sustainable paper resources and the reduction of chemically damaging production processes.
…………….
• So the industry is built on excellent foundations but publishing is not immune to the economic downturn and a number of publishing companies have recently announced redundancies.
• But the sector continues to grow and we want to work with you to make sure that publishing and other creative industries come out of the recession stronger than before.
• That’s why it’s critical you are all here at the Book Fair, building networks and doing business.
………………..
• But as people feel the pinch it’s the perfect time to shout about the services provided by our public libraries across the capital
• There are 363 libraries across London and they are teaming with new books – over 12 million pounds worth was spent in 2007 alone.
• If we want to encourage reading at a young age libraries offer an excellent, cost free, route into literature.
……………
• That’s why we are working with our partners in the library sector to think about how they better communicate services
• In June, we are running a month long festival, the Story of London, to celebrate the history of London.
• Literature will be a strong focus and Libraries across London will feature London related books and material.
• 5 new poems will also appear on the underground and a ‘Story of London poems’ on the underground booklet will be distributed.
• We will also be telling the Story of the capital through its famous authors and working with major book stores to publicise the event

Posted by Perkins at 6:37 PM | Comments (0)

Bad Music, Good Music

I think the jolly librarians in Goucestershire are being a bit provincial and behind the times.

Nevertheless there is Good Music to be had, where a young musician announces his recent appointment as a Performer in Residence at the South Bank-- an honour never before given to a solo cellist.

Posted by Perkins at 9:14 AM | Comments (0)

A constructive agenda

Martyn Everett reminds us that he posted ' a constructive agenda' for libraries, here, last year. Nevertheless Martyn I think you are definitely a member of the Under the Platform Club.

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 9:02 AM | Comments (1)

April 18, 2009

No defence

Nobody has yet answered the questions about this minute of the MLA board meeting last Autumn

1. Is this an appropriate discussion for the Board of a National Non Departmental Government Body sponsored by the Department of Culture Media and Sport?

2. To whom does it refer, who was discussed and what was said about them?

3. Are the senior parties fit to hold the high public office to which they have been appointed?

"Andrew Motion outlined the constructive meeting he and Roy Clare had with Lyn Brown MP, and looked forward to her follow up visit to the MLA’s Birmingham offices in January. Andrew Motion admired Lyn Brown’s passionate support for libraries, and while the MLA might differ with her on some issues he felt there was scope to reduce any misunderstandings and find some common ground. The same could not always be said for some of the sector’s most vociferous self-appointed critics, and the MLA was keen not to give a platform to those without a constructive agenda."

Posted by Perkins at 10:52 AM | Comments (0)

April 17, 2009

From Under the Platform

Since those of us who are deemed not to be constructive about public libraries are not fit to have a platform -- here is a letter from a nice (Dr) lady who is with us Under the Platform

Subject: The future of public libraries

AN OPEN LETTER

Dear Mr Clare

For some years now, I have been concerned (as a lifetime user and advocate of local public libraries) about their future. In 2007 I was asked to give evidence to the library scrutiny committee of Hampshire County Council, as I am a resident of Gosport, Hampshire, where the first Discovery Centre had been launched. I was pleased to feel that, though I did not represent an organisation as such, that I still had a 'seat at the table' at which to express my views.

I was very disturbed, therefore, to hear that the MLA (and I quote from your Board meeting minutes) is keen 'not to give a platform to those without a constructive agenda'. I confess that, of the many people I've met along the way who are passionate about libraries, I've not encountered a single person who does not possess a 'constructive agenda'.

Without exception, these people all seem to want the same thing: local branches in well-maintained buildings, knowledgeable staff, open long hours, and with a comprehensive book collection.

There are many constructive approaches to achieving this and I (rather naively) expected that local councils, together with guidance from the MLA, would work with an open mind to achieve it. Instead, I sense that the MLA has another agenda altogether which bears little relation to what 'ordinary' people want from their libraries. This leads the MLA to develop 'best practice' solutions that omit those examples of best practice of which you do not approve, presumably for ideological reasons. It also leads to the dismissal of any creative solution to the deepening library crisis that does not fit with your own pre-agreed methodology.

I'm sorry if I'm putting this in too forthright a manner, but I've begun to despair about who exactly will stand up for our library service in this country. Tim Coates is certainly doing that and I, for one, am grateful that he is able to dedicate so much time and energy to putting across the views of ordinary library-users. I'm sorry that the MLA wishes to consistently dismiss these views as being unworthy of any proper consideration.

I am sending a copy of this email to my MP, Sir Peter Viggers, and separately to the 'Good Library Guide' website as I believe it raises important issues - and I do hope that you will want your reply to be similarly open to these audiences.

Thanks and regards
Dr Amanda J Field

Posted by Perkins at 5:09 PM | Comments (1)

Bumbling Hash

The ongoing saga of Swindon libraries, reported here in the Swindon Advertiser and here in the Bookseller makes two points for me that we have to face up to

1. There are too many councils which are not competent to run public library services. They will spend loads of money, but they will not make the improvements that people need. There are many reasons: sometimes good management is bedevilled by political confusion, sometimes the management is plain poor, and

2. There is no central body that can do the work either. The MLA doesn't have the experience, expertise, capacity or know how, to begin to run the service, or even bring improvement of any kind to it if it remains in the hands of local councils

Yet around the counrtry there are some quite good library management teams, councillors, directors, operators and the are certainly some who if, given some stern instruction and clearly defined responsibility could make a lot of improvement

I am beginning to join sides with that group of people who say we need to reduce the number of library authorities to about 20 -30 - and take them out of the hands of the 200 councils who run them now. There are a couple of movements around the country to make this happen. It doesn't need or want an act of parliament or an act of civil servants, the people can probably do it themselves .

Posted by Perkins at 9:55 AM | Comments (3)

April 16, 2009

Well done Tower Hamlets

This is how democracy is supposed to work:

Thanks to the continued support of the Leader of the Council, Cllr. Lutfur Rahman and his cabinet colleagues Cllrs. Rofique Uddin Ahmed, Alibor Choudhury and Marc Francis, the promised £255,000 for improvements to Bancroft Library was included in the 2009-2010 budget approved by the cabinet on Wednesday 8 April.

Senior officers in the Communities, Localities and Culture Directorate have also been busy setting up a project (initially under the directorship of Judith St John, Head of Idea Stores) which will involve twice-monthly meetings of the Bancroft Library Steering Group. The campaign will be represented by Brenda Daley, Melissa Parker and Tom Ridge; and representatives from "active Local History Groups in East London" (please email the campaign with your representative's name and contact details). It is also anticipated that council officers on the Steering Group will include representatives from Children's Services, 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Development and Renewal and the Conservation and Urban Design Team; also a representative from English Heritage.

A Heritage Manager is also being appointed to manage the Tower Hamlets Local History Library and Archives at Bancroft Library; and to direct its future development as a hub for improved local history and archive services. Many details have still to be worked out but there is now a real possibility that the Tower Hamlets Local History Centre (former Bancroft Library) will be fully operational by 2012.

Obviously, further progress depends on fundraising by the Heritage Manager and others. We were very pleased to learn at our meeting with senior officers on Wednesday 8 April that arrangements for the building work are in the capable hands of Peter Fox of THE PROJECT AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCY. Peter is already drawing up a short list of suitable conservation architects to specify and supervise the works. This conservation-led approach will meet the requirements of heritage funding bodies, such as English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Clearly, not all the rooms at Bancroft Library can be made suitable for their new uses in 2009-2010. But it is envisaged that the large first-floor front room will be used as the Local History Library and search room, whilst the present Local History Library and search room is being repaired for eventual use as the main search room or reading room.

Unfortunately, the essential replacement of the lift will have to wait until funds are available. An additional archive strong room is urgently needed, together with an archivist's work room on the ground floor. We hope that the front part of the former ground-floor children's lending library will eventually become a large multi-purpose room for school groups and meetings. In the meantime, temporary arrangements should allow this area to be used as soon as possible; and the entrance hall used for reception and exhibitions.

The campaign thanks Tower Hamlets Council Leader, Cllr. Lutfur Rahman for his October 2008 decision to "retain Bancroft for the Local History Library and Archives"; and thanks the Council for setting up the project which will "give the Local History Library and Archives the home it deserves". The world-renowned Bancroft Library can now become an even better centre of excellence on High Street 2012, not only for local residents and visitors from all over the world but also for the borough's school children and students: helping them with their national curriculum studies in local history and geography, and other initiatives such as Find Your Talent and One Tower Hamlets.

Tom Ridge

Posted by Perkins at 11:05 PM | Comments (0)

Despots and Democracy

Prior to the 'Glorious Revolution' of 1688, the presumption of all countries around the world was that the only efficient way to govern a country was for a powerful single voice to wield power and rule with strength.

Civil War and overthrow of the dominant monarchy, replaced by a Cromwellian Protected Parliament and the subsequent restoration of the king, had upset, but not replaced the idea in England of single authority.

1688, and the death of King James ll changed that. Citizens who discussed and contributed their views to the new press and the evolving Parliament created a new idea of democracy that was genuinely based on debate, lobbying, opinion and language. Britain became unique in the world in leading this movement. Despotic behaviour and cruel domination still occurred, obtaining its power from wealth or inheritance, or evil or even government's own authority, but we have come over the years to root out such behaviour and to hold it in common contempt

In this spriit Perkin's attention was drawn to this minute in the record of the board meeting of the MLA last Novemnber, in which there is first toadying obsequiousness to the MP who had criticised their ineffectual behaviour, and then moved on to issue threats against decent humble folk who express their concerns for public libraries.

Bullies.

Self appointed critics in this country will always seek their own platforms and argue their case by force of language and not be suppressed by noxious departments of the State.

A better approach would be to seek out and listen to these people who have given freely of time and effort in order to understand what they are saying and recognise their concerns. That is the way our cherished democracy works. Even a poet should be able to understand that.

Posted by Perkins at 6:55 PM | Comments (0)

Bloomsbury Library online

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: The Bloomsbury Library Online

Bloomsbury is set to transform the relationship between publishers and libraries, and between libraries and readers, with an innovative development in public lending: The Bloomsbury Library Online.

At a time when the British library system is under pressure to reach larger audiences with tighter budgets, and when the reading public is feeling the pinch, Bloomsbury is launching a unique, affordable and user-friendly online initiative.

In association with www.exacteditions.com and using existing technology in libraries across the country, Bloomsbury is rolling out a groundbreaking e-lending strategy which will allow readers to read collections of bestselling books at local library terminals or with the use of a library card on home computers and internet enabled devices.

The Bloomsbury Library Online will consist of a number of themed shelves: children’s books, sports titles, international fiction, Shakespeare plays, reference books and more. They will launch with a shelf of Book Group titles including Galaxy Book of the Year, The Suspicions of Mr Whicher, by Kate Summerscale, Orange Prize longlisted Burnt Shadows, by Kamila Shamsie, word-of-mouth phenomenon The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, by Mary Ann Shaffer, and international bestseller The Death of Vishnu by Manil Suri. Embracing the advantages of the online format, users will be able to read the book, search the text, access author interviews, reviews, press features, and links to specially commissioned reading group guides.

How will it work?
• The Bloomsbury Library Online will be sold on subscription – libraries will subscribe to a bookshelf for a year at a time and will pay according to the size of population served.
• New titles will be added on a continuous basis – free of charge within the subscription year.
• Users will click through from the Library terminals or through an online portal accessible via any web browser (including those found on iPhone and Blackberry) anytime, anywhere in the UK.
• Text accessible through screen readers and therefore available to blind and partially-sighted users.

Bloomsbury Executive Director Richard Charkin said “Libraries are hugely important to readers, communities and authors and are under severe financial constraints. While never forgetting the importance of books themselves, they’re also being pressured to adapt to the demands of the 21st century: bridging the digital divide, serving multicultural communities, attracting new users and reaching into homes. The Bloomsbury Library Online serves to fill that hole and will hopefully blaze a trail for similar developments in the library system.”

Kate Summerscale added: “I’m delighted that The Suspicions of Mr Whicher will be part of The Bloomsbury Library Online – it sounds a great scheme, especially for book groups.”

The system is set to go live on May 4th 2009. FOR PRESS USE ONLY: To experience the Bloomsbury Library Online ahead of launch, visit https://www.exacteditions.com/exact/login.doand enter:
username: trial.bloomgroup password: bloomgroup

For further information please contact Colin Midson on +44 207 494 6054 or email on colin.midson@bloomsbury.com
To find out more about Exact Editions, please contact Daryl Rayner on +44 207 554 8632
or email on daryl.rayner@exacteditions.com

Posted by Perkins at 5:55 PM | Comments (0)

April 12, 2009

Management of public libraries

About 80% of the problem with our public library service is nothing to do with vision, leadership, modernisation, the digital age, or any of the hot topics forever bandied about in reviews or government statements.

It is a straightforward, plain case of simple management: you take so much money, and with that money you provide the service that people want, as best you can. Management which needs to be firm, clear and simple is as necessary in public libraries as it is in any public service. The basic ideas are the same as in any commercial operation, the military, the church or an academic instution- everybody in the organisation needs to know what you are there to do, what you can do and what you should do. Overheads are bad, unless they add value, and service is important and that is where your reputation lies.

One of the very hardest parts of managing anything is keeping the expenditure within the limits of what can be afforded. When the cost of staff and management is a large portion of that expenditure, those matter become even more difficult, because they involve people. Everyone enjoys employing more people, no one likes employing less.

Nevertheless managing costs in such a way as to provide best service has to be done and if the organisation has avoided facing these issues properly for years, then they are very hard indeed and very difficult to handle. If you try to pass them on to a further generation, or make them someone else's problem, or simply protest that you always need to be given more money, actually you make the real problem harder, when in the end it has to be dealt with.

I am sick to the bottom of my boots watching very senior council officers and highly paid civil servants colluding to avoid the issue of managing the costs of the public library service properly. I see it go on all the time. I watch bullying tactics and sneer campaigns and pretence at complication, all being used to hide from the truth. I am quite sure that of the current host of reviews that are in progress, all operated by our most senior leaders and officers of government, not one of them will tackle squarely and properly the simple issues that face every shopkeeper on a street corner-- the wages that are paid out cannot exceed the income that is taken in, in the case of libraries, from the taxpayer. We cannot afford to be allowed to use public money to pay high management salaries and expenses, and reduce the service that we give to the public

But what is sure is that the efforts by officers to hide the reality, as the recesssion deepens, will intensify and the people who will suffer will be the public on the one hand and the least paid library staff on the other.

The public library service has to return to a planet where common sense prevails.

Posted by Perkins at 12:08 PM | Comments (1)

April 9, 2009

Swindon

On this blog there hasn't been much mention of the situation in Swindon. This has been because I have been involved trying to help open discussions so that there might be freedom to express and exercise common sense..

However for all the incredible efforts being made, particularly by Shirley Burnham in Old Town, Swindon, the reality is that at present 4 libraries are faced with either closure, or reduction to the absurd, within a couple of months.

More will be revealed as time goes by, but one of the questions that has arisen is about the 'Central Service Charge' made by the council .

Anyone with the least noddle could see from the figures that, whatever the ingredients, the sum of the central overhead charges in the council is too high.

There has been a battle royal, some of conducted in ships of the fleet, to try and avoid this issue, and to say all kinds of things about it to distract the councillors from examining the problem properly, but nevertheless, like the Rock of Gibraltar, this matter dominates the seascape. We have come to expect officers of both local and national government to hide from the real questions of how money is spent, and here they have done that with all flags flying.

Simply put, because council overhead costs are so great, there is no money left to staff the libraries or to buy books for them.. Many councils have this problem, but Swindon is a bad case.

In the past few days, into this wine dark ocean has steamed a noble organisation called the 'Taxpayers' Alliance' .. And to the matter, they bring not only words of wisdom, but some very interesting facts :

In Swindon council last year the 8 people who earn over £100,000 averaged an 8.5% increase in remuneration, four times the government guideline for pay rises. Swindon also saw a 61% increase in the number of people employed at over £50,000 pa.

Riots and debagging of councillors and officers? Well Swindon is now frequently being reported as the town in the country which is suffering more from the recession than any other-- and needs its set of public libraries like at no other time in its history.

At this time the council is about to close 4 libraries and cut the book fund.

Posted by Perkins at 9:00 PM | Comments (1)

April 8, 2009

LIbraries to close in Oldham

Here is the story in the local paper

Posted by Perkins at 10:50 PM | Comments (1)

April 6, 2009

Ontario

Very interesting and informative international correspondence in progress from which I extract this view from Peter Griffith, who used to be on the board of public libraries in Ontario

"In Ontario, the Libraries Act of Provincial Government in Toronto governs how libraries controlled in the province - not the federal government in Ottawa. The library is to be governed by a Board of Trustees who have two legal responsibilities - to hire a Chief Librarian/CEO and to prepare the annual budget. The budget is then presented to city hall at their budget time.The budget is presented initially to two city hall committees and finally the full council. They can refuse to give us the money we ask for - but mostly they tinker about the edges. The city provides the Library Board with 95% of its budget, the remaing 5% coming from the Provincial Government of Ontario

The Board will usually have 2-3 councillors on it, with lay people being chosen by City Council and the two Boards of Education through an interview process. Some Boards are better than others and some people do see it as the first step in a political career! But it does keep the city council a step removed from library service management. As an example, when we developed a new Central Library and built two new branches, the Board chose the Architects - not city hall. It also allows the Board to make deals with private businesses.

Having a Board has some additional benefits for libraries. Firstly, we can fundraise for a Trust Fund through all kinds of typical and not so typical fundraising activities of our Friends of the LIbrary, or having people leave money in their wills to the library (gift giving). This money is not controlled by the politicians of city council ... which often makes people more willing to support the library by donating money in someway.

Secondly, the Board owns many of the library buildings and in a couple of instances is infact a landlord - this generates revenue too.

Finally, there is a Library Board Trustees Association which allows trustees to learn about what other libraries are doing and any innovative ideas that are being tried.

Personally, I think it is an idea that should be pursued in the UK."

Thank you, Peter, for your permission to quote this

Posted by Perkins at 5:21 PM | Comments (1)

Birmingham -- £193m for the architects, but nothing for books

Politicians and government employees all get very excited at spending the taxpayers money-- the more they spend, the cleverer they think they are.

However large buildings are expensive to run, and almost inevitably those councils which have indulged in these great monuments to their civic achievement have quickly run into trouble in the following years of mundane budgeting. Book stocks are cut, branch and community libraries close, and opening hours are reduced. Sometimes the main library is a success, but not always, but more often than not, the collateral damage is long term and serious.

Nevertheless for years to come the party in power, and the government departments, will keep telling us how great an investment they have made.

The £193 million for Birmingham library is all for the buildig. There is nothing for new books.

Another case where the minister should intervene and quietly, in my view, ask the council to redress this balance properly.

In my evidence to the Select Committee in 2004 I said that small sensible ministerial interventions and discussions would be as useful as large scale inquiries of the kind we are to see in the Wirral.

Posted by Perkins at 10:29 AM | Comments (1)

April 4, 2009

No newspapers in the libraries in Somerset

Here is the story .

This should also be a candidate for intervention by the Minister under the 1964 libraries Act. I mean is a library comprehensive if it doesn't provide newspapers, especially if it is charging a huge amount for access to the internet?

I wonder how much the chief librarian, and the library management team are taking home.

When they see this story I shoud think we shall have no difficulty obtaining the support of journalists, editors and newspaper proprietors everywhere. Well done Somerset!

Where is Mr Murdoch tonight?

Posted by Perkins at 7:23 PM | Comments (2)

DCMS

This is going around.. I daren't say who is circulating it

Here is this week’s news:

DCMS is Worst Department in Whitehall

Prospect magazine, the well-respected house journal of the left, has laid into the DCMS this month. The piece is anonymous, and we promise you we didn’t write it: ‘Picking a low point is tricky, but recent decisions on product placement have come close.’ [Regular readers of this e-mail will recall our concerns on this issue.] They continue: ‘Sensing the rot, others are fleeing Burnham’s grip. All the big media decisions – over Channel 4, universal broadband and the mobile spectrum – are now being carved up between Lord Carter, Ofcom and Lord Mandelson… Under such circumstances, it’s hard to resist a geopolitical analogy. Weak, divided, ceding territory, bullied by its neighbours and likely to be broken apart in a year or two: DCMS isn’t just Britain’s worst department. It’s the Pakistan of Whitehall too.’ Ouch! More

Posted by Perkins at 6:17 PM | Comments (1)

Wirral

Very good news that at long last the Minister of State has used his power to intervene and review the decision.

The last time these powers were used were in Derbyshire. The report was published in December 1991. (ISBN 0903 463350)

It is interesting to note that a first report was written, then, by those officials of the DCMS who looked after libraries (there was no MLA), but their work was overruled and disregarded. Only then was an independent panel of inquiry created with Alan Newman QC asked to head the inquiry. He was joined by a local government director of finance and a retired chief librarian and they then reported extensively on the subject, with detailed and important recommendations (which were then, it appears, in typical retribution, ignored by the officials of the DCMS!, but probably not by Derbyshire, whose service is now among the best)

They opened the report with these lines from Milton

'as good almost kill a man as kill a good book--- he who destroys books destroys life itself'

and ended it with this from a poem written by a local councillor

'My lament is from a broken heart
Some paperbacks would be a start'

Posted by Perkins at 9:41 AM | Comments (0)