Here's a guest blog from Ronnie Williams, Chief Executive of the Publishers' Association. It's about the new 'Love Libraries' campaign being launched by the government, and I believe it needs no further introduction....

I went to the launch of the "Love Libraries" campaign by David Lammy, Minister of Culture on 22 March. It is a first initiative by The Future Libraries Partnership in which nine major UK publishers are involved, together with the government department (DCMS), the Society of Chief Librarians, the Museums Libraries and Archives Council, and the Reading Agency. There is also support from authors.

The atmosphere was very positive and reflected  clearly how strongly people feel about the future of libraries and the clear priority that books are the very core of the library service. Although Lammy stuck to his constitutional position that the actual management of libraries, and specifically the balance of book stocks and new acquisitions, depends on decisions at the local level, there was a very strong message from the floor that these issues are central to the public's perception and therefore use of the library service.

The initiative is rather modest insofar as it focusses on the "transformation" of  three libraries only, but the stated intention is that these should provide a replicable template for libraries all over the country. Representatives of these "showcase" libraries emphasised that in addition to refurbishment, they would review book stocks and acquisitions to ensure a good range of new best-selling titles as well as an extensive backlist. They would be looking to publishing "marketing mentors" to advise them on this balance. The publishers are also closely engaged with the Reading Agency in developing "live events" and authors' tours to liven up the library experience and involve consumers in book related activities.

It remains to be seen whether this small beginning can be developed into a more ambitious programme and whether these related initiatives can be harnessed into a practical and forward looking plan. While librarians were admitting to an image problem, a lot of practical marketing expertise is going to be needed. The  three "showcases" are promoted as a start, but if the decline which many people perceive is to be reversed, then reforms must reach a very much wider library constituency and a more ambitious programme will need to follow. The words at the launch offered comfort, but it is what is actually done across the larger scale which will determine whether this is the first real step on what may be a long journey !

RW