Chris Batt, Director of Learning and Information Society, the Council ...

Do we Really NeedPublic Libraries?Chris BattChief Executive, MLA

A Success Story1850 2006“If a man can write a better book ormake a better mousetrap than hisneighbour, the world will make abeaten path to his door”Ralph Waldo Emerson

1850the Beginnings ofuniversal educationThe price of a bookNewspapers andmagazinesOther media60 hours work1,700None

1950the Birth of MassMediaThe price of a bookNewspapers andmagazinesOther media10 hours10,000Cinema, Radio, TV(one channel only)

2005the GoogleGenerationThe price of a bookNewspapers andmagazines20 minutes190,000Other media+200 TV channels,Internet, mobile phones, ‘always-on’broadband,digital collections, personal learning

The Developed World isvery different from 1850•More choices for information andknowledge•More money to spend•Less time to enjoy it•Technical change•New social behaviours•Challenges to traditional models of publicinvestment

In a wired, networked,mass media world, whydo we need publiclibraries?

Unesco Manifesto May NotBe EnoughA FREE GATEWAY TO KNOWLEDGE• Information• Literacy• Education• CultureIFLA/UNESCOPublic Library Manifesto 1994

Culture and Public ValueTaxesServicesOutcomesTrust“Public value is… the value (benefit) addedto people’s lives through the investment of public funds”

Culture and Public Value•BBC•English Heritage•National Trust•Arts Council England•Heritage Lottery Fund

StewardshipTrustEqualityEconomicsAnthropologyResilienceValue formoneyWell beingEnvironmentalismIntangible valuationPublic valueProsperityLearningStrengthencommunities

MLA andPublicValue(Work in Progress)

We Believe…That museums, libraries and archivesare essential to society in the 21 stcentury global communityKnowledgeInformationCreativityThe Natural ResourcesFor a Creative AgeLearning

We Believe…That museums, libraries and archivesmust develop continuously to reflectsocial change, new policies, andnew techniquesThey must be at the heart of nationalpolicy agendas

The MLA Policy Framework•Increasing participation•Strong advocacy at national, regional andlocal levels•Modernisation and improvement ofservices•National policy and strategy development

National Service Planning•A shared vision•Define service roles•Align to policy agendas•Prove success with strong evidence•New delivery solutions•Engage with citizens

Our Vision for Museums,Libraries and ArchivesBuilding a successful andcreative nation by connectingpeople to knowledge andinspiration

PublicLibraryRolesOnline LibraryCommunityPlacePublicLibraryCommunityDevelopmentAgency

Roles Activities ProgrammesOnlineLibraryRepackaged servicesMediator, trusted sourceInfo mgmt skillsNational/localDiscoverReference OnlineEnquireCommunityDevelopmentAgencyCommunityPlacePartnershipEarly yearsLifelong learningLearning supportReading developmentKnowledge centreLearning centreCommunity resourceMeeting/Activity placeLocal/nationalBookstartSure startReading groupsTeenagersLocal/nationalBIGLove LibrariesFamily Friendly LibrariesAdministration PartnershipOperational effectivenessStock procurementSingle library cardLibrazon

Community PlaceTHE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY• Aligning the service to local need• Hours of opening• Books and other resources• A quality place to goLottery National awards public €120m library for new standards libraries

Community developmentAgencyREADING AS A LIFE SKILL• Bookstart• Bibliotherapy• Reading and public policy

“ the community’s most importantand creative gateway to reading”Pleasure and confidence• to create equal opportunities for everyone to read for pleasure.• to build people’s confidence about reading and encourage lifelong readingImproving literacy• to build individual, family and community literacy• to work with partners to help combat illiteracyStrengthening communities• to bring people together to share their reading• to build empathy and understanding through readingOpening up choice• to open up new reading choices and help people share their readingEncouraging learning and well being• to support learning through reading• to support health and well-being through readingCreativity• through reading to inspire people’s creativity• to raise the status of reading as a creative activity

Online Library• Reference Online• Greater access tolibrary resources 24/7

Public Policy Priorities•Education and learning•Quality of life•Health•Economy (knowledge, creative, tourism)•Sustainable and involved communities•2012 Olympics

Efficiency and NewDelivery Solutions•Public library standards•Support for innovation•More efficient book procurement•National programme delivery

Technology and theConsumer•Always on•Mobility•Media changes–Television (YouTube, UKFood)–We are all reporters now (Blogs, digital pix)–Publishing (iTunes, e-books)

ConsumerBehaviour/expectations•Books are no longer a luxury•Work and pleasure on the train•The age of convenience

Success inthe Future

Components of Success•Vision of the public value of libraries•Evidence of success in achievingpolicy targets•National programmes•Close contact with citizens•Thinking about the future

The Public Library as‘Knowledge Institution’•Power of knowledge to change lives•Power of knowledge to build bridges•Knowledge underpinning the creativeindustries•Power to support learning andunderstanding

ServicesOutcomesTrust

TrustQ41 To what extent, if at all, would you tend to trust the informationprovided by the following types of organisation?A museum / library / archiveA great deal / fair amountNot very much / at all89%4%BBCAn organisation you have heard ofA public service (e.g. NHS)72%78%83%19%9%11%A government departmentYour local councilA utility company51%62%58%39%30%33%A travel agency48%41%An internet only retail company17%72%Base: All (1,674)

So, We DO Need PublicBut also…Libraries•Librarians with vision and the right skills•Evidence of success and of need•National and local support from policymakers•Strong messages about the futureknowledge society•To listen to our citizens

Families Love Libraries

www.mla.gov.uk