Chris Batt, Director of Learning and Information Society, the Council ...
Chris Batt, Director of Learning and Information Society, the Council ...
Chris Batt, Director of Learning and Information Society, the Council ...
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Do we Really NeedPublic Libraries?<strong>Chris</strong> <strong>Batt</strong>Chief Executive, MLA
A Success Story1850 2006“If a man can write a better book ormake a better mousetrap than hisneighbour, <strong>the</strong> world will make abeaten path to his door”Ralph Waldo Emerson
1850<strong>the</strong> Beginnings <strong>of</strong>universal educationThe price <strong>of</strong> a bookNewspapers <strong>and</strong>magazinesO<strong>the</strong>r media60 hours work1,700None
1950<strong>the</strong> Birth <strong>of</strong> MassMediaThe price <strong>of</strong> a bookNewspapers <strong>and</strong>magazinesO<strong>the</strong>r media10 hours10,000Cinema, Radio, TV(one channel only)
2005<strong>the</strong> GoogleGenerationThe price <strong>of</strong> a bookNewspapers <strong>and</strong>magazines20 minutes190,000O<strong>the</strong>r media+200 TV channels,Internet, mobile phones, ‘always-on’broadb<strong>and</strong>,digital collections, personal learning
The Developed World isvery different from 1850•More choices for information <strong>and</strong>knowledge•More money to spend•Less time to enjoy it•Technical change•New social behaviours•Challenges to traditional models <strong>of</strong> publicinvestment
In a wired, networked,mass media world, whydo we need publiclibraries?
Unesco Manifesto May NotBe EnoughA FREE GATEWAY TO KNOWLEDGE• <strong>Information</strong>• Literacy• Education• CultureIFLA/UNESCOPublic Library Manifesto 1994
Culture <strong>and</strong> Public ValueTaxesServicesOutcomesTrust“Public value is… <strong>the</strong> value (benefit) addedto people’s lives through <strong>the</strong> investment <strong>of</strong> public funds”
Culture <strong>and</strong> Public Value•BBC•English Heritage•National Trust•Arts <strong>Council</strong> Engl<strong>and</strong>•Heritage Lottery Fund
StewardshipTrustEqualityEconomicsAnthropologyResilienceValue formoneyWell beingEnvironmentalismIntangible valuationPublic valueProsperity<strong>Learning</strong>Streng<strong>the</strong>ncommunities
MLA <strong>and</strong>PublicValue(Work in Progress)
We Believe…That museums, libraries <strong>and</strong> archivesare essential to society in <strong>the</strong> 21 stcentury global communityKnowledge<strong>Information</strong>CreativityThe Natural ResourcesFor a Creative Age<strong>Learning</strong>
We Believe…That museums, libraries <strong>and</strong> archivesmust develop continuously to reflectsocial change, new policies, <strong>and</strong>new techniquesThey must be at <strong>the</strong> heart <strong>of</strong> nationalpolicy agendas
The MLA Policy Framework•Increasing participation•Strong advocacy at national, regional <strong>and</strong>local levels•Modernisation <strong>and</strong> improvement <strong>of</strong>services•National policy <strong>and</strong> 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 <strong>and</strong> ArchivesBuilding a successful <strong>and</strong>creative nation by connectingpeople to knowledge <strong>and</strong>inspiration
PublicLibraryRolesOnline LibraryCommunityPlacePublicLibraryCommunityDevelopmentAgency
Roles Activities ProgrammesOnlineLibraryRepackaged servicesMediator, trusted sourceInfo mgmt skillsNational/localDiscoverReference OnlineEnquireCommunityDevelopmentAgencyCommunityPlacePartnershipEarly yearsLifelong learning<strong>Learning</strong> supportReading developmentKnowledge centre<strong>Learning</strong> centreCommunity resourceMeeting/Activity placeLocal/nationalBookstartSure startReading groupsTeenagersLocal/nationalBIGLove LibrariesFamily Friendly LibrariesAdministration PartnershipOperational effectivenessStock procurementSingle library cardLibrazon
Community PlaceTHE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY• Aligning <strong>the</strong> service to local need• Hours <strong>of</strong> opening• Books <strong>and</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r resources• A quality place to goLottery National awards public €120m library for new st<strong>and</strong>ards libraries
Community developmentAgencyREADING AS A LIFE SKILL• Bookstart• Biblio<strong>the</strong>rapy• Reading <strong>and</strong> public policy
“ <strong>the</strong> community’s most important<strong>and</strong> creative gateway to reading”Pleasure <strong>and</strong> confidence• to create equal opportunities for everyone to read for pleasure.• to build people’s confidence about reading <strong>and</strong> encourage lifelong readingImproving literacy• to build individual, family <strong>and</strong> community literacy• to work with partners to help combat illiteracyStreng<strong>the</strong>ning communities• to bring people toge<strong>the</strong>r to share <strong>the</strong>ir reading• to build empathy <strong>and</strong> underst<strong>and</strong>ing through readingOpening up choice• to open up new reading choices <strong>and</strong> help people share <strong>the</strong>ir readingEncouraging learning <strong>and</strong> well being• to support learning through reading• to support health <strong>and</strong> well-being through readingCreativity• through reading to inspire people’s creativity• to raise <strong>the</strong> status <strong>of</strong> reading as a creative activity
Online Library• Reference Online• Greater access tolibrary resources 24/7
Public Policy Priorities•Education <strong>and</strong> learning•Quality <strong>of</strong> life•Health•Economy (knowledge, creative, tourism)•Sustainable <strong>and</strong> involved communities•2012 Olympics
Efficiency <strong>and</strong> NewDelivery Solutions•Public library st<strong>and</strong>ards•Support for innovation•More efficient book procurement•National programme delivery
Technology <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>Consumer•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 <strong>and</strong> pleasure on <strong>the</strong> train•The age <strong>of</strong> convenience
Success in<strong>the</strong> Future
Components <strong>of</strong> Success•Vision <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> public value <strong>of</strong> libraries•Evidence <strong>of</strong> success in achievingpolicy targets•National programmes•Close contact with citizens•Thinking about <strong>the</strong> future
The Public Library as‘Knowledge Institution’•Power <strong>of</strong> knowledge to change lives•Power <strong>of</strong> knowledge to build bridges•Knowledge underpinning <strong>the</strong> creativeindustries•Power to support learning <strong>and</strong>underst<strong>and</strong>ing
ServicesOutcomesTrust
TrustQ41 To what extent, if at all, would you tend to trust <strong>the</strong> informationprovided by <strong>the</strong> following types <strong>of</strong> organisation?A museum / library / archiveA great deal / fair amountNot very much / at all89%4%BBCAn organisation you have heard <strong>of</strong>A 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 <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> right skills•Evidence <strong>of</strong> success <strong>and</strong> <strong>of</strong> need•National <strong>and</strong> local support from policymakers•Strong messages about <strong>the</strong> futureknowledge society•To listen to our citizens
Families Love Libraries
www.mla.gov.uk