done so, thus helping libraries to target those that could benefit the most from reading and simply using the library.” A universal library card solution already exists via the ‘Every library a local library’ scheme which was promoted in 2009, according to Dame Sanderson. She said: “Every library a local library could be resurrected, very easily, by a simple information campaign. While I appreciate that this may be for the sector to pursue, gov- ernment should explore the possibility of a single card in the future.” Jon said the Government’s Tell Us Once scheme for people registering births and deaths and which notifies other services, including libraries, seemed to get around the problem. He said: “In Kirklees, from 2012 when we began operating the service, over 95 per cent of all new-borns became library members.”
Jon Davis.
Dame Sanderson said: “While in no way wishing to diminish the important role of all the other organisations involved in this space, I would argue that the British Library has a unique status, as well as a reach across the United Kingdom, that brings with it the opportunity to broker some interesting, strategic, partnerships across the public and private sector.” Jon said: “Baroness Sanderson’s report rambles a little bit on this subject, and with good reason – the field for the involvement of national bodies in public library delivery is muddy and unclear.” He said that while there was “clear evidence of The British Library’s ability to deliver national public library pro- grammes” funding had been modest, adding: “I’m not sure it is practical for ACE as the National Development Agency to somehow employ the British Library as its delivery body.”
Wider membership Two routes were put forward as possible routes. One was universal child member- ship, the other was a universal library card. Child membership, where children could be auto-enrolled using data from other departments ran into GDPR issues: “The programme ran up against a problem with data protection. Since joining the library was not the purpose for which the data was collected.”
However a pilot has been run and it “showed that the universal enrolment/ automatic library membership models brought parents and caregivers into the library who might not otherwise have
22 INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL
But he agreed with the review’s comment that “auto-enrolment needs to be supplemented by a continuing programme of activities if children are to become active readers.” He said: “We still need for people to want to use their public libraries – simply being members isn’t enough. So the national access offer has to be accompanied by a national strategy which would dovetail with the national branding and its associated promo- tion – and the involvement of The British Library as a potential delivery agency!”
Strengthening the volunteer network Before tackling the thorny issues of volunteers, Baroness Sanderson made this clear: “I agree with CILIP that job substitution will lead to services becoming unsustainable over time. Where possible, volunteers should only be used to support experienced, qualified staff.”
Bearing this in mind, the review looks at ways of both re-invigorating volunteering following covid fatigue, but also reorgan- ising it. She said: “When suggesting ways to strengthen the volunteer network more generally, it’s important to remember that recruiting and managing volunteers still requires expertise and resources. As part of its broader interests in volunteering, DCMS may want to consider encouraging the sector to establish a volunteer man- agement and development plan to share best practice.”
Jon agreed, reiterating that “as long as it is clearly understood that volunteers are not a replacement for trusted profes- sionals.” He added that: “Were DCMS to develop some guidance on what that man- agement and leadership should look like, (as part of the National Library Standards referred to earlier,) I’d be interested in that, too.”
Creation of a libraries minister This idea sits alongside the closer involvement of the BL in terms of making the library landscape clearer. In the same way that an institutional front door is needed, so is a political one. She said: “there needs to be a mechanism within government to allow better com- munication between departments – and for those departments to have better relationships with the different sector organisations. While not a cure-all, one way to improve the situation would be the creation of a Libraries Minister.” She suggested this could also include a commitment to three roundtables per year “to be attended by sector organi- sations and officials from the relevant departments, depending on the agenda, it would help break down the govern- ment silos which are currently such a challenge to the library sector”. Lord Parkinson, who commissioned the report, said: “I will seek agreement to change my Ministerial title formally to include my responsibility for librar- ies. I am already proud to introduce myself informally as ‘Libraries Minister’, and agree that formalising this would be an immediate and tangible way by which we can indicate the Govern- ment’s commitment to the sector.” However, Jon doubted the long-term effectiveness of this saying: “The right person needs to be both an enthusias- tic and knowledgeable champion for libraries and fairly independent – not a simple ask in any Parliament.” Instead, he suggested “the Secretary of State had a trusted, professional inde- pendent advisory body, similar to the Health & Safety Executive, for example” to reduce dependence on individual commitment.
Libraries week
The report suggests CILIP moves Libraries Week away from Party Conference season saying: “Given the myriad ways that libraries can help an MP’s constituents – be that through employment advice, skills training or language classes – raising awareness of the services they offer would be of huge benefit to libraries and parliamentarians.” Jon agreed saying: “National Libraries Week was a bit “underpowered,” and a lot of that is probably down to timing, so I’m for this on one level.” But he said moving off this spot would mean “clashing with so many other “National So-and-So Weeks… so scheduling this change will be a bit of a challenge!” IP
You can read the full report at
http://tinyurl.com/ydw9w8ts.
January-February 2024
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