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March 27, 2010
Public Library Book collections have been halved in 15 years
The CIPFA table for 1995-6 shows that the 'total book stock' in UK public libraries was 124 million books
The corresponding table for 2008-9 will show a 'total book stock' of 95 million books.
However libraries no longer carry out proper and diligent annual audits of their stock (as they used to and as they should). So this figure of 95 million is an estimate largely based on what their computer systems tell them they have. As any retailer will quickly tell you, there are a lot of reasons why computer stock control systems overestimate stock levels- theft and non returned loans, being the obvious ones.
It is no surprise at all to hear that in those councils where, for example, a new tagging system is being installed, that the actual stock is less than the computer estimate by 40%.
This would mean that instead of 95 million books, a proper audit would reveal that the stock of books is now only 57 million.
Any management would tell you that it is really important to have a proper reliable figure-- otherwise we have no idea what to buy in order to restore the service to its proper state.
As there any discussion of these vital issues in the Hodge review? No, of course not. Could this fall and the lack of stock be an explanation for the fall in use of libraries? Ask the man on the Clapham omnibus. It's obvious
Posted by Perkins at March 27, 2010 11:27 AM
Comments
I have recently taken up new a post, as library assistant, in a county library. To my surprise a 'diligent' audit has been carried out all week (EVERY item of stock on the shelves has been individually counted). In 20+ years of library work I've never seen such a thorough audit.
Posted by: Ex librarian at March 28, 2010 7:41 AM
Didn't the Nazis make very diligent records of the people they "removed"?
Posted by: No Brain at March 30, 2010 9:59 PM