The Good Library Blog

Very glad to hear that Perkins is now satisfied that what I, MLA and a host of others have told him is true.

Library usage has been increasing, thanks in no small measure to the efforts of the profession and a whole range of initiatives that they have devised and implemented.

Council overheads attached like a lead weight to library budgets have also been increasing. Corporate 'recharges' for 'supporting' run-of-the-mill IT in libraries are typically astronomic.

The rocketing overheads contrast sharply with the shrinking cost of buying and processing stock and running library systems. Why? Overheads are set, controlled and apportioned by chief executives and accountants, while library chiefs manage the rest.

Unfortunately, library visits are down and so is the stock of books, again. It appears that it is not so much the initiatives that have worked, but that recession appears to have increased people's need to borrow. As I say, for me anyhow, the important message is that predictions of the death of the book, and attempts to replace their central role in public libraries with other attractions, were premature.

I stick firmly to my belief, born of many years experience, that attempts to 'diversify' and attract a wider audience will destroy the essence of the reputation of any brand- especially that of a public library. The secret is to do better that for which one already has a good reputation. Diversity and attempts to attract non users will not improve the use of the public library service. Always doing the basics better, on the other hand, will. It is a very different approach. Diversity and inclusivity come from widening the range of reading material, not from adding other attractions. ("Who's in Charge?" 2004)

I know that my view is completely at odds with that of the SCL, DCMS and MLA on this matter. It always has been. It was the central argument in the last Culture Select Committee Hearing, and mercifully, that committee took my side! It didn't however make any difference, because I don't think the SCL etc understood. Gerald Kaufman did, but Chris Batt, the DCMS officials and all the others couldn't and didn't accept what he and his committee were saying. It was fascinating but disappointing to watch. Kaufman said that there is a core service which is in poor condition and that that should be put right as a priority. In particular they repeated several times that book buying was too low and book collections inadequate. There were many good recommendations, hardly any of which have been carried out. The senior librarian community effectively said that they thought they knew better than Parliament. I didn't think that they did at all. They ignored what Parliament said, wrongly, in my view. That is why I don't believe that creating trusts where the political influence is smaller is the right thing to do. Librarians need to be kept under control! I sincerely believe that and I am not saying it to be provocative. Our democracy may be imperfect but we have always to strive to make it work better. Professional bodies must answer to elected politicians, howver stupid the professionals may think the politicians are, they represent the public. If they don't understand something then it may be the way you are saying it. That is often the case. You should not assume they are either stupid or disinterested. That is unlikely.

Somebody has to tackle the problem of council overheads. Council by council, the detail needs to be examined. Allocations and charges need to be challenged. Swindon was a very good case study of this matter, which I would be happy to go over again. (So, actually, were Hillingdon and Westminster)

Well now, at least we're all agreed that library usage is on the up, even if Tim doesn't approve of the way they're being used - or perhaps the fact that a wider range of people are using them.

I couldn't agree more that we need to get the basics right - but we need to avoid assuming that those things never change. Take a look at the number of people young and old who have discovered, use and benefit from the internet through libraries. Should we rip out the IT?

And was Tim's mother frightened by a librarian perhaps? I've heard many people arguing that librarians need to be more assertive, but only one person ever saying that they "need to be kept under control". The sad fact is that they are, by the people who employ them but invariably think they know better and ultimately make the big decisions.

Too right, council overheads and recharges are a disgrace. Put your considerable energies into investigating and challenging them, Tim, and you'd be surprised how much money coukd be released into real service delivery. Even in councils you regard as shining examples of good management.

Mr Apollo : it is time you stopped hiding behind your pseudonym and let us know which library service you were in charge of or, even, who you are. Although Tim has a cat called Perkins, we know that he and Perkins are one. I post under my name, Shirley Burnham, not 'Aphrodite' -- What is there to fear by following our example ?

Well, Shirley, Perkins and Tim, the answer is incredibly simple.

Some of us still work in the public sector where being open and direct about the sort of issues we're discussing is rather frowned upon.

I'm very happy to debate individual budget matters in private with elected members and chief executives who employ me, but that doesn't address the broader and more contentious issues we're talking about here.