Following my previous postings about the debate, or lack of it, around the future of public libraries in the UK, my attention has been drawn to an article by Tim Coates in the Readers Digest Magazine. (thanks for the heads up Chris)

In the article, Our Libraries: Where Has All the Cash Gone? [pdf], Tim explores the statistic that every family in Britain is paying £50 per year for a library service, which by several measures is a dwindling service.

In the comments to his blog posting about the article, Tim reproduces a letter of response from John Dolan, Head of Library Policy at the MLA.

Readers Digest: Letter to the Editor
Public libraries – more than meets the eye

Sir, I am writing in response to your article “Our Libraries: Where Has All the Cash Gone”. The MLA urges local authorities to provide appropriate resources to meet the needs of local communities for learning and leisure. People made over 290 million visits to libraries in 2005-2006, borrowing over 275 million books. Staff answer almost 50 million enquiries from the public each year. They provide over 30,000 computer terminals, with access to trusted online resources. Libraries run thousands of reading groups, hundreds of local history groups, homework clubs and family activities every week. The MLA is driving improvement, and consulting with others to set out the next stages of public library development. Readers comments are welcome. Please email John Dolan: blueprint@mla.gov.uk

So we have some more debate position stating on the subject, but will it moves things forward?  We have the MLA consulting on the way to improve things within the current structure, and others like Tim Coates asserting that the current structure is part of the problem.  A case of arguing past, not with, each other methinks.

Time to say again that we at Talis would be delighted to facilitate a debate about the future of Public Libraries in England - hands up who would come if we did!

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