Another interesting news story caught my eye this week from the BBC website- http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8388352.stm. Working at the Bodleian, I am constantly reminded that major changes are just around the corner, especially now the Special Collections decant has begun. The introduction of ICT into libraries has brought about a massive change in their purpose and function and perhaps more importantly reader expectations. I know that I am very used to receiving information immediately via the Internet and often have little patience when I have to wait for documents to arrive by post when I could simply click a button on-line. Similarly, readers in the Bod sometimes look horrified that they should have to wait three hours to get the book they need from the Stack. For me, there is no substitute for curling up with a good book, even if I have to wait for it, but an expansion in e-resources and electronic learning has significantly sped up access to and sharing of information.
The article also got me thinking about previous blog posts- it definitely picks up on ideas raised by Charlie’s post about the purpose and function of a library and the last paragraph also reminded me of James’ post on rare books- a loyalty card and home delivery service? Is this simply taking customer service one step too far?
For anyone who is interested in reading more of Margaret Hodge’s ideas, the consultation paper (in a fetching shade of pink) is available here: http://www.culture.gov.uk/images/consultations/LibrariesReview_consultation.pdf
John Newbigin’s opening comment might be a bit depressing – ‘Who would want to be a librarian today, caught in the middle of a jumble of seemingly irreconcilable demands’. But take heart from the fancy diagram at the back that demonstrates how libraries increase life expectancy!
The aspect of library modernisation that interests me most is redevelopment projects, especially at the moment as some public libraries are planning major refurbishment work whilst other public libraries suffer drastic funding cuts and threats of closure. Of course finances are strained but it seems some people get lucky with an authority which recognises the value of a library service whilst others are unfortunate in that their libraries are seen as a drain on finance.
At home on the Wirral, the library service was recently under threat with plans to close nearly half the libraries in the area, a move intended to save the local council money. Even the main library, which was Englands first public library was threatened. Thankfully the closures were stopped at the very last minute and the libraries saved for now. It’s been a very different story across the River Mersey in Liverpool where the city council have been planning a major £50m redevelopment of it’s central library for a long time (since as early as 2004 I believe) Work won’t start on redeveloping Liverpool library until next year but I can’t wait to see the result, which will be a library set for the future.
As a further point I should probably add that when I lived up north I actually travelled to Liverpool to use the library service rather than my local Wirral libraries because the whole service was better. Better run, better facilities and simply a nicer more modern library enviroment. Perhaps my local authority should think more seriously about redeveloping its libraries rather than just closing them all down!