The activities of a number of key people in the UK book trade have raised the profile of public library management issues in the UK.
The debate is complicated with conflicting statistics being bandied about, insults flying, platitudes being uttered and tempers being frayed. I honestly believe all the parties want to ensure the existence of a healthy library service but more effort is being expended on analysis, argument and preening than on action. While this is going on there was an announcement yesterday about library closures in Devon. Interestingly the search page had prior news stories - 'Library visitor numbers increase','Library improvements considered' etc. Ha! In response, the authority has closed five libraries. And here's an extract about Hampshire libraries:
A third of librarians could be axed in Hampshire as library chiefs battle against a huge overspend. Hampshire County Council will ask for voluntary redundancies in the next two weeks to help save costs. And it is holding back £250,000 from its £2m book fund - meaning there will be no new books at libraries across the county until at least February.
I wish the civil servants, politicians and even the consultants who might be able to make a difference would own up to the problem, cease quarrelling and STOP THE ROT. Libraries which close do not reopen. Libraries which do not buy new books neither attract visitors nor fulfil their duty to society.
For more information on this and more go to the Good Library blog.
Day one to the Aussies.