“Libraries are our future – to close them would be a terrible, terrible mistake – it would be stealing from the future to pay for today which is what got us into the mess we’re in now.”
Neil Gaiman - winner of the Carngie Medal 2010
Statutory role of culture secretary for libraries “not being discussed”
Posted by: Alan Gibbons in UncategorizedRoy Clare attacks Cilip posturing over MLA closure
Posted by: Alan Gibbons in UncategorizedSo you lose your company £21billion, a record loss of £5million an hour.
So you wipe £24billion off its value.
So you have to agree to donate a multi-billion pound fund to the people whose lives you have destroyed.
So you have pumped vast amounts of oil into the Gulf and potentially destroyed fragile eco-systems.
So you have brought Britain’s biggest company to its knees.
Are you:
a) jailed?
b) made to pay it back over a 500 century period?
c) pensioned off with a fat remuneration?
That’s right, it’s c). Like the bankers, the hedge fund directors and the tax evaders, gaffe supremo Tony Hayward will discover that the wealthy are lauded on high for incompetence. ‘Toxic Tony’ was moaning as he shuffled away from the top job that he had been ‘demonised’, failing to understand that you can only use the word if the act of demonising is unfair. If you are in fact a bona fide demon, then it becomes a useless tautology. Hayward will receive one million pounds in salary and a £10.8million pension as a reward for one of the greatest failures in European corporate history.
No wonder Mr Hayward has a permanent smirk on his face!
Oh it’s a hectic life as CILIP CEO - how I’ll (almost) miss it when it’s gone!
Yesterday, back on the radio, this time for Sally’s lunchtime phone-in on BBC Radio Leeds. Yes, libraries are under threat; yes, we need to campaign about the value of libraries (and librarians); yes, we also need to support libraries through challenging times; yes, we need the help of the good people of Yorkshire to speak up for their local library service. It’s all on the BBC iPlayer and CILIP President Biddy Fisher is following up with a piece in the Yorkshire Post.
Today, off to the Local Government Association for the first meeting of the grandly titled Governance Board for the new Libraries Support Programme announced by Ed Vaizey on 1 July.
The Board was co-chaired with brisk enthusiasm by Rob (Whiteman, Managing Director, Local Government Improvement and Development, part of the LGA Group) and Roy (Clare, Chief Executive of Museums Libraries Archives, MLA). Submissions to phase one of the Support Programme have been received and up to ten pathfinder projects will be announced in the week beginning 16 August. Consultancy support will be provided for the pathfinders and a second phase will follow in which learning from the pathfinders will be shared with a larger group of public library authorites - 30 or 40 was the number mentioned - in order to build capacity for change through peer group support.
My question - about a phase three for the remainder of the 151 public library authorities in England - was met with a splendid mouthful of govspeak from Rob and Roy about a new relationship between central and local government in terms of place-based investment across the cultural sector emerging after the Spending Review in October. Make of that what you will but it sounds like the Arts Council to me, given the government’s announcememt yesterday of the intention to abolish MLA and the Advisory Council on Libraries - see the main CILIP website for CILIP’s response to that announcement.
Highlights from the Governance Board meeting? Rob’s emphasis on the need to get libraries on the agenda across government, echoing Ed Vaizey’s comments on 1 July. Roy’s insistence that community engagement needs to be an integral part of the Support Programme, echoing the comment in the meeting by David Ruse (Society of Chief Librarians) that everything should start with an assessment of local need - a point made very clearly by Sue Charteris in her report of the Wirral Inquiry last year. The suggestion from Paul Philpott (DCLG, the Department for Communities and Local Government) that exploratory models of library provision might include a “Total Profession” model by which all the publicly funded libraries in a locality (public, school, college, university, health, etc) come together into one aggregated whole. And the participation of Race Online 2012, the organisation led by Martha Lane Fox (who has been saddled by government with the title of ”the UK’s digital champion”) with the aim of getting the UK 100% online (whatever that means) by the time of the London Olympics. Helen Williams (Head of Libraries and Archives at DCMS) was quick to point out to meafter the meeting that Martha has spoken very positively about the role libraries can play in the digital inclusion agenda - another point made by Ed Vaizey on 1 July.
So it’s beena good start to the week in terms of the twin objectives of campaigning for the value of libraries (Radio Leeds and the Yorkshire Post) and supporting libraries (today’s meeting to note progress with the Libraries Support Programme). But, of course, there’s now a third objective as well following yesterdays announcement about the eventual demise of MLA and ACL: getting the government to clarify its intentions regarding the future leadership framework for libraries at national level now that they’ve announced their intention to dismantle the current framework; and wondering if there’s an opprtunity here for professional bodies like CILIP (and the Museums Association and the Archives and Records Association) to take on a bigger role in that future leadership framework.
Exciting times ahead, eh? It makes me (almost) sad to be stepping down!
Libraries need leadership, CILIP warns government
Posted by: Alan Gibbons in UncategorizedCILIP warned the Coalition today that government actions were causing concern and uncertainty about the future of public library services
“The abolition of key library agencies calls into question the government’s commitment to public library provision,” said CILIP Chief Executive Bob McKee today, at the first meeting of the Library Support Programme Governance Board. The Board has been charged by Libraries Minister Ed Vaizey with overseeing public libraries’ response to the government’s programme of cuts in public spending.
“The Coalition says nice things about libraries being at the heart of the ‘Big Society,’” said Bob McKee, “But nothing has been done to protect libraries from the worst of the cuts in the way that education and health have been promised partial protection.”
Yesterday’s announcement of the government’s intention to abolish the Museums Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) and the Advisory Council on Libraries (ACL) leaves libraries dangerously exposed at this difficult time. “There’s been criticism of library leadership in the past,” Bob noted, “But this announcement simply dismantles the existing leadership framework and puts nothing in its place.”
ACL is the statutory body which advises government on public library policy: it was ACL which developed Framework for the future, the policy document which forms the basis of current public library provision. MLA is the strategic body which provides support for public library development: it was MLA which delivered the Peoples Network, the transformational programme which put Internet access into every library in the UK. It was MLA, along with CILIP, which recommended government intervention in the Wirral, leading to last year’s Public Inquiry and the decision by Wirral Council not to proceed with planned library closures.
“Without ACL and MLA,” Biddy Fisher, CILIP President, asked, “Who will provide the strategic leadership to develop policy like Framework for the future, deliver improvement programmes like the Peoples Network, and make interventions in the public interest like the Wirral Inquiry?”
Yesterday’s announcement indicates that key functions will be transferred to other existing bodies but no details or timescales are given and there is no indication that funds will be transferred to support these functions.
“This government has already caused huge public concern about the likely impact of its cuts programme on libraries,” Biddy Fisher explained, “And now government has compounded that concern by leaving libraries with no clear framework for future leadership. Parliament goes into recess today but Ed Vaizey can’t simply go off on his summer holidays having created such a climate of concern and uncertainty around this most popular of public services. The Minister must act quickly to allay public concern, demonstrate commitment to public library provision, and clarify how library leadership at government level will be structured in the future.”
MLA says ‘stormy seas call for cool heads and steady hands’
Posted by: Alan Gibbons in Uncategorized
Responding to the government’s announcement that the MLA is to be wound up by April 2012, Chair Sir Andrew Motion and Chief Executive Roy Clare pledge a smooth and orderly transition to deliver the best possible future for museums, libraries and archives across England and for the people and communities who expect to use them.
In a joint statement, Sir Andrew Motion and Roy Clare say: “Stormy seas call for cool heads and steady hands. The team in the MLA have worked tirelessly and with commendable commitment to develop the capacity of the organisation since 2007. Now, faced with an unforeseen degree of economic pressure, government has chosen to balance the books and to prioritise the rationalisation of its existing cultural agencies as a contribution.
“As a result we will work methodically and calmly to continue to deliver a vibrant and effective expert service for the public who rightly expect excellent, sustainable museums, libraries and record offices in their local neighbourhoods. Our accent is on strong strategic leadership; access to expert advice which can help people to weather the effects of recession; strong investment programmes; joining up across the network; good links into local government, and provision of resources that demonstrate good practice. We are committed to arguing for these to be reflected clearly in the new arrangements.
”MLA is currently engaged with local authorities and independent museums, libraries and archives all over the country. We are helping them to weather the storm of recession and funding cuts and to emerge stronger and more sustainable. Maintaining the tempo of this work will continue to be a major priority for us.”
Ed Vaizey, Minister for Culture, comments: “Sir Andrew Motion and Roy Clare have shown great leadership of the MLA and have made great strides in the last two years to streamline the organisation, significantly improving efficiency and effectiveness. However, there is now an opportunity to integrate Renaissance and the other important functions of the MLA into the wider cultural framework.”
The MLA believes that cultural and artistic activities are at the heart of Britain’s recovery. Museums, libraries, archives and other places of art and creativity are nourishment for the spirit and encouragement for everyone in times of adversity; these are vital components for tourism, the economy, quality of life, cultural creativity and personal well-being. In the current climate especially, museums, libraries and other cultural services are at significant risk.
The MLA has called for more creative and systematic planning to ensure the public get the most out of the sector. The prospectus that we launched this year, ‘Sharper Investment for Changing Times’, recognises that around three quarters of the £2bn-plus spent on cultural services in England is in the control of local, not central, government.
Sir Andrew Motion and Roy Clare add:
“Over the year or so ahead our focus is on continuing to boost the impact and potential of museums, libraries and archives in locations across the country. An economy only slowly emerging from recession and pressures on public spending provide the spur to make even greater efforts to deliver social, economic and environmental benefits for people and communities.
“Our various programmes and the expertise of our staff, including the Field Teams across the country, will continue unabated. Many longer term decisions will need to be taken and the outcome in October of the government’s Spending Review will have a pivotal bearing on the details.
“It is our firm, joint intention to continue to provide strong and visible national leadership and a consistent, purposeful voice. We are confident that the various important capabilities of the MLA will be found new homes and we are determined to ensure that there continues to be sources of robust advocacy for museums, libraries and archives and for the people and places that depend upon them; with provision of experts, know-how, advice, specialist resources, detailed research and evidence and informed guidance.
“We are already working closely with local government and with professional colleagues in the Local Government Association, Arts Council England, Heritage Lottery Fund and a number of leading museums and other key organisations. These relationships are strong and will become stronger. Place-based investment, with much more joined-up and better strategic planning, can and must deliver more for less; closer attention to demand and better systems for delivery must result from all new alignments.
“Specific partnership work is already in hand on a Ministerial initiative to develop and improve library services; this will continue, and will be delivered by MLA and LGA this autumn, unaffected by the announcement. We have also put specific proposals to Ministers about the future of Renaissance in the Regions and its relationship to the strategy for archives; further work is in hand that will lead to consultation and a statement by Ministers later this year, in time for new elements to be adopted during 2011 and the ensuing years, subject to funding.
“As an example of our specialist resources, we have just agreed to second an MLA expert, Natasha Innocent, to RaceOnline 2012 for 6 months from September. Natasha will work with Martha Lane Fox and her team to help deliver their Manifesto for a Networked Nation; and specifically to ensure that public library services are fully integrated in moves to secure positive digital outcomes for people in Britain.
“We are also proud of our range of cultural services, including Acceptance in Lieu, National Security Advisor, Export Licensing, Reviewing Committee, Accreditation, Designation and Government Indemnity. These will be maintained throughout the transition as will our engagement with the Cultural Festival, a vital component of London’s 2012 Olympics, especially in terms of our support and leadership for Stories of the World and Our Sporting Life.
“The members of the MLA Board join us in expressing our very sincere gratitude to the staff of the MLA for all their work to date; and together we will uppermost in mind their interests and those of our many professional stakeholders across the country as we work to secure the future for the MLA’s many valuable capabilities and ensure their sustained effectiveness on behalf of the public.
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