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7 June 2007
Building a consensus
Posted by Richard Wallis at June 7, 2007 02:56 PM
Chris Armstrong of Information Automation Limited has picked up on my recent posting Public Libraries - What Next? about the state the UK public library service, where I review some of the reports and documents published on the future of England's library service.
In his info NeoGnostic posting, Are there any other views on Public Libraries? Chris says:
Most readers of iNG will be aware of concerns voiced here in the past about what is happening (or not) to public libraries in the UK. Those same readers cannot fail to be aware of the continuing onslaught from Tim Coates in The Good Library Blog on any body which has any responsibility for public libraries: from CILIP to MLA; from Demos to the (now closing) Laser Foundation.
He the goes on, having referenced my post, to ask:
Talis are very committed to libraries (obviously!)... I wonder if that extends to hosting a forum of the great and the good - professional bodies, government, MLA, and the concerned - to work out a way forward that will benefit the public and their libraries?
Chris you are right, we at Talis are very committed to libraries, and very committed to doing what we can to help bring them, and the services they provide and use, in to 21st Century.
We would be more than willing to consider hosting forums, both in the physical meeting as well as the online debate sense. As I indicated in my original post, I am recording some podcasts with people with opinions in this area (the first of theses will be available in the next few days) and am more than happy to discuss podcast possibilities with others. (Just drop me an email -richard.wallis@talis.com)
This is not new thinking from Talis. We have held research days and other events to address these issues, and have been very disappointed with the number and willingness of people to respond to invitations and engage. I therefore fear that if we booked a room in a convenient place, on a date which avoided other library events, and invited the great and the good - the response would be a little underwelming.
Talking of getting movers and shakers together, there is the Talis Insight 2007 Conference in Birmingham November 6th & 7th.
This free two day conference is open to all executives and information professionals across libraries, local authorities and educational institutions. With the umbrella theme “Inspiration for Change”, we welcome you and your colleagues to join us.
Confirmed speakers already include John Dolan and David Potts from the MLA. There are still a couple of open speaking slots in the programme, so if you feel that you can contribute to furthering the debate, contact my colleague Karen Topham-Steele [K.Topham-Steele@talis.com]
We, as in all of us, are hopefully trying to construct a consensus, that that will mostly satisfy most of the protagonists in this debate. Like all construction exercises, the difficulty is in 'getting the builders in' Any suggestions for compelling reasons for the majority of the main players in this debate to attend a forum, will be gratefully received.
One thing is certain, if only a few agree to work together it will just return to the position stating status quo, with sniping from the sidelines.
(Photo taken by shiny red type displayed in Flickr) .
Technorati Tags: Talis, Library, Public Library, TIC07, Chris Armstrong, MLA
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