John Dolan talks with Talis
In this Talking with Talis podcast, I talk with John Dolan, Head of Library Policy at the MLA - the strategic body for museums libraries and archives in England.
We discuss his career in libraries, the MLA and they way public libraries serve their communities. We then move on to discuss A Blueprint for Excellence document and the public consultation process which has followed its publication.
Listen Now
Download MP3 [61 mins, 73Mb]
During the conversation, we refer to the following resources:
- MLA - Museums Libraries and Archives Council
- DCMS - Department for Culture, Media and Sport
- The DCMS Taking Part Survey
- Love Libraries campaign
- Groves Music
- Book Machine installed in New York Public library
- A Blueprint for Excellence [pdf]
- Better Stock Better Libraries [pdf]
The debate about the future of public libraries in England is at times a passionate one, with the protagonists often having greatly differing but no less strongly held views. With this series of podcasts I am attempting to provide a balanced view of those opinions and the people behind them. To that end I have approached several people both within and outside the library establishment with an invitation to record a conversation. Whilst awaiting responses and scheduling recordings I would love to hear from others who believe they have something to add. Contact me (richard.wallis@talis.com) if you want to suggest a possible interviewee, or wish to be considered yourself.
The conversation with John Dolan was conducted by telephone on Friday 22th June 2007, edited in Garageband.
