By calling for a local inquiry into the proposed library closures in the Wirral the Culture Secretary, Andy Burnham has prompted an important and necessary debate on the future shape of library services in England.
While the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 talks of the need for all local authorities to provide a “comprehensive and efficient” library service there is no definition of what this actually is.
Each authority is different and local factors always need to be considered, however we believe that in considering what a comprehensive and efficient library service might look like, account should be taken of the following:
- Access (free of charge) for the public of all ages and regardless of income, within a reasonable travelling distance. ‘Reasonable’ should take into account the physical constraints on the population, such as travel cost, time taken, frequency of timetabled routes for public transport and accessibility.
- The range of services on offer, obviously books, but also internet access (free, ideally), information of all kinds (coupled with expertise and advice), reader groups (for various ages and needs), and community space in which to read and learn.
- The availability of a range of learning programmes and skills development; in some cases, internet access is sufficient, but skills needs vary and – especially in a recession – are becoming acute; people are asking for more information from libraries in these areas.
- Integration, where possible and appropriate, with one or more of the other community services provided for local people. MLA has a database of ‘good practice’ case studies that demonstrate the benefits of various forms of co-location, for instance with PCT surgeries, FE Colleges, museums, learning centres and children’s centres.
- Opening hours that meet the communities’ needs, based on thorough consultation and full engagement with a wide range of users and user-groups.
- Awareness of other facilities in each specific locality (or lack of them), to enable an appreciation of the rounded nature of the service offered by individual libraries; and in some cases to demonstrate the uniqueness of the local library for the particular community living nearby.
- The nature and efficiency of alternative arrangements that are being provided in cases where the closure of buildings can be justified on the basis of improved service and greater overall efficiency.
- An assessment of the positive and beneficial impact that library services have on the quality of lives of people and on the communities and places in which they live.
The MLA has expertise and a range of services available to support local authorities planning to re-shape services. We recommend that we are engaged at an early stage in the process, so that we can make a strategic and constructive input in time to inform decision-making.
Our purpose is to support improvement and to promote ‘best practice’; we believe that public libraries have a key role to play at the heart of communities and places.
Roy Clare
April 7 2009