Tim Coates

Two extremely good meetings with librarians in the US this week. Growing understanding that the most important asset are the book collections; and 'acquisitions' are not a filter of what publishers produce, but rather they are the way to make the library collection closer to what people want to read

So why do so many library authorities not provide basic information on performance and costs, as they used to do to CIPFA? And why don't @cilip.bsky.social advise @dcmsgovuk.bsky.social @librariesconnected.bsky.social @artscouncilengland.bsky.social that the Sec of State should 'require' they do?

Library professionals are really surprised when they are shown how their methods of collection management over a very long time have produced collections of books that are not those that people want to read.

The big concern is that public libraries have lost their attraction for adults (they do lots for children). All the programs, services and makerspaces are hardly used. Use by adults has fallen apart over 15 years. They still have a good public reputation, but very few people use them.

#libraries

In the US, public libraries where I am working have plenty of money, but they are losing patrons simply because, by miles, they don't have the books people want, and books are, overwhelmingly, the reason for coming to the library. Digital books don't solve the problem.

The UK is a long way behind

Nobody would say these are not important matters. But they are not what public libraries are for

If libraries don't concentrate firmly on their core purpose of providing what people want to read, in welcoming dignified spaces, they will continue to decline in use and in funding.

The public library in town installed BOOTHS y'all, like restaurant booths, to sit at and read and write in and the vibes are IMMACULATE. I'm obsessed.

It’s more helpful to start with the truth . Public libraries in the North East are the least used. That is the information in the DCMS ‘Participation’ survey. There clearly are some serious problems

“Passionate about”

The measures for reforming English local government announced yesterday could provide the public library service with a much needed opportunity to revive and revitalise themselves