This is a report of Alan Gibbons’ meeting with Clare McGread and Craig Westwood about the Department Culture’s review of libraries:
I started by expressing my concern at the following issues:
*the recent fall in professional staff numbers by 6.2%
*the fact that book borrowing has been more or less halved in just fifteen years
*the fact that library book issues fell 2.3% last year
*library closures and service reductions, the most significant being the closure of eleven libraries on the Wirral
I agreed with the official statement that the library service is one ‘under stress’ not because of the failings of staff or the public’s lack of interest but because of years of neglect and failed strategic planning at Government level. I questioned Andy Burnham’s decision not to call in the Wirral closures and expressed the view that the 1964 Act’s requirement to provide a ‘comprehensive and efficient service’ was so vague as to be worthless. Somehow the Act had to be given teeth. I also voiced concern that the recent CIPFA figures showing a fall in book borrowing was welcomed in some quarters as evidence that libraries were: ‘moving with the times.’ I quoted the Unesco report that identified reading for pleasure as the single greatest indicator of future academic success and argued that the CIPFA figures could be better interpreted as a sign of dumbing down.
I argued that poor book stocks reduce reading. Members of the public who fail to receive the book they want for whatever reason stop borrowing. This establishes a spiral of decline. I further argued that attractive, welcoming libraries are vital and that councils should copy the best practice around the country and undertake a programme of renovation wherever libraries have become tired and jaded. Staff training was another important issue. Well-trained, knowledgeable and welcoming staff working on the frontline make a huge difference and that was where staff resources should be concentrated.
I argued that libraries’ educational role was vital and stressed that links with schools have been allowed to wither in some areas under the impact of the testing regime. I argued that most schools are still close to a branch library. Children should experience their library on regular organized visits as was the practice not so long ago. Alternatively, as happens in many areas, librarians can play a consultancy role in schools helping improve primary libraries in particular. Accompanying this should be a systematic culture of visits by authors and illustrators. These visits should be holistic events, including author events, writing workshops, In-service training, and ICT follow-up. Children could, for example, make Ipod broadcasts or You Tube trailers of favourite books or their own stories. Similar events could occur at football grounds and museums tied in to the school curriculum or major national and local events. Library applications should be available at all these initiatives.
Finally, I argued that, while new centres like the marvellous Newcastle city library, Durham library and the Whitechapel Idea Store are a huge boon to their communities, we must not abandon the principle of a good branch network serving local communities. A balance has to be found between these two kinds of facility. I pointed to Oswestry library as an excellent, renovated library in a small market town of about 16,000 people. I stressed that the authors supporting the Campaign for the Book are keen to support libraries as evidenced by the event I am doing at Oadby Library in Leicestershire in cooperation with the MLA to demonstrate the opportunities for well organised author intervention.
In order to achieve this interventionist approach strong strategic leadership is essential. I asked why so many councils failed to even consult the MLA before going ahead with cuts and closures. Did that not point to a need for a strong, united body that draws together all those responsible for libraries so that there is a single, national voice driving policy? Such an organisation would be responsible for providing books, education and information technology to every member of the community, especially the young, the elderly or those whose needs might lead them to be marginalised. It could undertake training for local councillors so that they understand that there are alternatives to ill-considered service reductions. I argued that the Creative Reading Charter being drawn up by the Arts Council, the Reading Agency, the MLA and the Chief Librarians is a very promising initiative. In closing I stressed that the Campaign for the Book wants to make a positive contribution and not just to hector from the sidelines. We know that there is a huge amount of good practice but that it is being stifled by incoherent leadership. When quizzed how that leadership should be made up I suggested a small, coherent, businesslike body drawn from the existing organisations but the stress had to be on decisive leadership not some kind of parliament of chatterers.
The discussion was wide-ranging and there were many points of agreement. In closing I said that the key now was for the review to take discussions like these on board and make a real difference. If the outcome failed to provide strong strategic leadership the library service could face very serious decline.
(I hope I have represented the meeting accurately. I would welcome any comments from Clare and Craig and would redraft any inaccuracies).
Entries (RSS)