18.12.14
Public libraries on brink of ‘disaster’ – Sieghart inquiry
Public libraries are on the brink of ‘absolute disaster’ and need to take inspiration from coffee shops to avoid large-scale closures, an independent inquiry’s report has recommended.
Commissioned jointly by the culture and communities departments (DCMS and DCLG) in February, the Independent Library Report for England has called for a “re-invigoration of the library network” with every library to be fitted with wi-fi to attract more people.
In addition, the wi-fi connection should be delivered in a comfortable, retail-standard environment, with the usual amenities of coffee, sofas and toilets, and offer new services “as would make the library a vibrant and attractive community hub”.
Led by philanthropist, entrepreneur and publisher William Sieghart, the inquiry’s panel stated that a decline in attendance plus funding cuts is threatening the viability of libraries.
CILIP, the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals, says that across the UK there are 337 fewer libraries and nearly 5,500 fewer staff than five years ago. Library opening hours and visits to libraries have also declined.
Sieghart, in an interview with the Independent, said: “We’re at a critical moment for the libraries and if we’re not careful we could lose so many.
“I and a lot of people think it would be an absolute disaster.”
But the panel added that libraries could, and should, play a major role in rectifying literacy standards. A re-energised library network would be a natural and established partner for every school, as well as being the provider of courses in both literacy and adult education, they stated.
CILIP has welcomed the report, and especially the recommendation for a new ‘Digital Library Network’, with wi-fi and modern computer facilities in every library.
“We echo the call for government funding to enable this and staff training to successfully deliver it”, said Martyn Wade, chair of the CILIP Board.
One of the key recommendations of the inquiry is the creation of a library taskforce – led by councils but supported by groups including the BBC, Arts Council England and the British Library – to offer “the necessary leadership” and ensure the report is implemented.
Wade added that the effectiveness of the proposed national taskforce “will be critical”. He said: “As joint convenors of the taskforce it is vital that the Local Government Association (LGA) is prepared to embrace these leadership themes and champion them strongly with local authorities.”
Cllr Ian Stephens, chair of the LGA’s Culture, Tourism and Sport board, told PSE: “There is a fantastic amount of creativity and ambition among library staff, councils and their communities to make the most of our diminished resources. However, by the end of this Parliament local authorities will have seen their budgets cut by 40% and will have to have found £20bn worth of savings.
“The LGA has already taken the opportunity to provide William Sieghart’s panel with many examples of existing innovative approaches. We now look forward to shaping the resulting taskforce which will report to elected LGA members and ministers and led by local government leaders who will share their knowledge and innovation amongst partners and peers.”
The inquiry highlighted that in England over a third of the population visits their local library. In the poorest areas, that figure rises to nearly a half.
“It is no wonder that communities feel so passionately about their libraries,” said Sieghart. “The library does more than simply loan books. It underpins every community.”
It was noted that there is a role for the library taskforce to help develop an e-lending solution for libraries in England in close liaison with publishers and authors. There may also be future actions needed for including e-loans in the Public Lending Right.
In addition, the inquiry has advocated the creation of programmes to recruit, encourage and develop library workforce at all levels, which should be led by the library taskforce with the active involvement of the Society of Chief Librarians, CILIP and other interested partners.
Wade said: “We welcome the workforce development proposals. We share the ambition that libraries should attract new high calibre recruits into the workforce and that we develop the leaders of the future.
“The idea of a TeachFirst initiative in libraries is imaginative but will require a great deal of development and suitable funding. As the professional body for the sector we know that skilled staff at every level are essential to deliver library services that meet the needs of communities and wider society. We welcome the importance placed on developing the skills and expertise of the public library workforce.”
A DCMS spokesperson told PSE that the government is committed to taking forward the report’s key recommendations.
“We are setting up a taskforce in partnership with local government to consider the recommendations in the report and lead on any future actions,” she said.
Other members of the panel, led by Sieghart, were Sue Charteris, director of Equal Value; Janene Cox, president of the Society of Chief Librarians; Luke Johnson, former chairman of Channel 4 Television; Roly Keating, British Library CEO; Caroline Michel, chief executive of literary agency Peters Fraser & Dunlop; Stephen Page, chief executive of publisher Faber & Faber; and the author Joanna Trollope.
PSE’s in-depth interview with CILIP’s Darren Smart on library closures and innovations from earlier this year can be found here.
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