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September 19, 2009
No one is in charge
This week I was able to talk to some of the consultants working on the London Libraries Change Programme and also to keep up a dialogue with some of the people on the Board, whom I know.
It is a terrible muddle. The consultants think they have been given the wrong brief, but declare that their work could not be bettered. The members of the board think that the consultants are not being adventurous and not being sufficiently radical in their approach.
I have already said what I think and all these conversations confirmed it. The project has no direction. It has no ambition. No one has thought how change will come about, or what it ought to be. The whole thing is a terrible mess.
No one is accountable, no one is in charge and the only thing that will certainly happen is that a large amount of money will be spent.
To be honest, the whole thing is a disgrace and I found myself describing the MLA to some senior Tories as a total menace when they work in the field of public libraries. They are supposed to be running this project.
I wish they would put up some kind of meaningful defence, but they seem to think it is ok to refuse to speak and to remain hidden. This is doubly odd because the first line of the Cultural Improvement programme for libraries calls for improved communication. Some hope!
Posted by Perkins at September 19, 2009 3:07 PM
Comments
I'm a little reluctant to turn into Mr Angry (again!) but what does anyone expect me to say when I read about messes like this? Really, what else can I suggest except let us march on London and put the MLA and these Change/Cultural programmes to fire and sword! Is there anything else that will actually stop these dingbells sitting around in meetings and producing this swill? And could everyone please stop sitting around on their navels philosophising about what libraries are for and/or agonising about whether librarians can call a fine a fine? You lot have educational qualifications coming out of your bottoms! Use them! Cut the crap, decide your definitions, throw out the reports and get on with your jobs!
Posted by: James Christie at September 22, 2009 10:26 AM