58E CONGRÈS 2012

La Bibliothèque une affaire publique.

Faut-il encore des bibliotheques?

Examples d’Angleterre.

Tony DurcanNewcastle City Council,

Society of Chief Librarians, and CILIP.

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• reflect on the conference themes: • current politics; • budget challenges; • scope for service innovation; • the importance of place;

• the public library ‘offer’;• the Library Service as part of the overall

‘cultural offer’;• and how we demonstrate to politicians and

funders the importance of public libraries.

What I want to say:

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The UK political agenda

• the priority is to reduce the budget deficit;• this has resulted in serious budget

reductions generally, including for local councils;

• each local council is having to reassess its priorities;

• health or libraries?• tough choices.

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UK Public Libraries

• a statutory service;• locally funded and managed;• central government has powers but is

‘hands off’;• lack of national vision/leadership;• service quality varies across the country;• each library service governed by local

priorities.

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Latest trends (2011/12).

• 7.5% reduction in revenue budgets;• 10% reduction in book funds;• 10% of posts lost in the last year....with a

further 11% lost over the previous 5 years;• the increasing use of volunteers;• 33% of Councils are reducing their mobile

libraries.

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Libraries in crisis?

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But is it a crisis?

• 4125 library sites – a network to die for;

• 321,546,000 visits (5.2 per person);

• 12,079,000 active members.

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The evidence?• "We need libraries most during recessions." The

Providence Journal, July 29, 2011.

• Libraries Shine In Tough Economic Times NPR broadcast, All Things Considered, July 29, 2008.

• "As economy struggles, more people rely on libraries," By Terry Date. Eagle Tribune, February 19, 2008

• Libraries report increased use of e-government, job resources; reduced operating hours - 6/21/10 press release for ALA's Libraries Connect Communities: Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study 2009-2010.

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Libraries and the economy

• business information;• employment information;• work clubs;• computers and CVs.

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Libraries’ contribution to society.

• an equal service;• digital inclusion;• much more than reading books;• where else is there free, quality and

safe public space?• and a sense of place and history.

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Libraries and learning.

• the importance of developing fluent readers;

• developing writing skills - a library role;• study support;• study space;• professional help and guidance.

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Libraries as culture.

• festivals;• community events;• creative activity;• access to opportunities

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Advocacy for Libraries - national offers….

• reading;• information;• health;• digital.

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Libraries’ Universal Reading

Offer

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...and,Public Value

The Value, Impact and Potential of public library services

“Libraries matter to people! Even those who don’t use them regularly care about what happens to them because they recognise what they stand for; that they exist to ensure that everyone has access to the knowledge, scholarship, books and information they need to help them enjoy and make a success of their lives”. [The great and the good].

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So, in summary:

• huge budget challenges;• these challenges will continue;• the messages to politicians:

– libraries provide good value; – supporting the economy and employment;– social and digital inclusion;– culture, place and learning;– libraries help politicians deliver their priorities;

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The real danger for residents and politicians with library cuts is that more is lost than is saved.

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