Looks at the challenges facing public libraries in the UK, compared to Australia and the USA. Looks at the Taskforce and Society of Chief Librarians (SCL) key selling points for the sector and the problems libraries have by trying to do too many things at once. Ends by suggesting a single strapline for the sector. Talk for the Axiell European User Conference in Oxford, 3rd May 2017.
2. ianlibrarian@live.co.uk @publiclibnews www.publiclibrariesnews.com
Who am I?
“Keep up the good work, your blog is hugely valuable. I think
libraries, like playing fields, long suffered from always being a
local fight, without anyone talking about the national picture.”
Jane Mackenzie, Reporter, Private Eye (October 2013).
Professional librarian since 1994 in Cheshire
Start Public Libraries News in 2010 .
History degree 1991 then one in Librarianship 1994
A couple of months ago Axiell were kind
enough to take out advertising on the site –
thanks Sean. One of the conversations we
had was about the lack of uniformity in
what public libraries offer and the dangers
this causes.
This is a subject that has concerned
me a great deal because, if you
have probably noticed, public
libraries are going through one of
the most dramatic periods in their
history.
Two game-changing factors are hitting
public libraries at the same time.
19. ianlibrarian@live.co.uk @publiclibnews www.publiclibrariesnews.com
A short and incomplete list of what “my” libraries actually do … and we promote
all of these
Books Children’s Socialisation Partners
Fiction Crafts Cafe
Non-fiction Rhymetimes Dance
Reference Storytimes Tai Chi
Children’s Baby Bounce Jujitsu
E-books Lego U3A
E-magazines Code Club Slimming
E-reference Crimebeaters
Education
Space Adult Socialisation SRC
Study space Reading groups Class Visits
Conversation space Knit and Natter School Assemblies
Meeting rooms Language lessons Excluded
Performance space Theatre Homework help
Author visits
Computers Employment
Wifi Council services Volunteering
Computers Blue Badges Jobseeking
Printing Housing Business support
Scanning Information
Registrars
22. ianlibrarian@live.co.uk @publiclibnews www.publiclibrariesnews.com
Café v. study space
Co-locations v. library services
Children’s activities v. quiet
Spending on e-books v. spending
on print books
Supplier selection v. local choice
Council services v. neutrality
Charging v. free
Commercial concerns v. trust
Automation v. personal touch
Armwrestling
Ourselves
27. ianlibrarian@live.co.uk @publiclibnews www.publiclibrariesnews.com
“Idea Stores”
Education
Columbus Metropolitan
Libraries
For children between
home and school
Queensland Libraries
Adult education
What’s the one gap
your service is going
for?
“A shared statement that we
intend to be a great nation, that
great nations are built on great
libraries, and that is what we
intend to deliver for everyone”
Nick Poole
32. ianlibrarian@live.co.uk @publiclibnews
“Keep up the good work, your blog is hugely valuable. I think
libraries, like playing fields, long suffered from always being a
local fight, without anyone talking about the national picture.”
Jane Mackenzie, Reporter, Private Eye (October 2013).
ianlibrarian@live.co.uk
@publiclibnews
“Public Libraries News” on Facebook
Ian Anstice on LinkedIn
Subscribe for free at
www.publiclibrariesnews.com
Professional
image shot.
Makes me
look
trustworthy.
And thinner.