Sector endorses Sanderson review NEWS
THE public library sector has
welcomed the recommendations made by Baroness Sanderson in her report An Independent Review of English Public Libraries. The review was commissioned by Arts and Heritage Minister, Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay, who said it will “form a vital contribution to our work in developing a new public libraries strategy this autumn. That strategy will develop many of the points you have raised in your report.” He highlighted five of the eight recom mendations – developing a data hub, national branding, closer involvement with the British Library, expanded mem bership and a libraries minister – saying he was committed to taking them for ward.
He adds: “I agree with many of the other recommendations which you make which are principally for the sector, rather than for Government, to consider – for
instance, a change to the timing of Librar ies Week so that political representatives at a national and local level can be better involved and engaged.”
Most of the eight recommendations made in the review focus around the “lack of recognition across government, locally and nationally, of the work that libraries do” – there is a more detailed look at the recommendations on page 20. In its response to the review CILIP said: “Baroness Sanderson’s recommendations in themselves will not reverse the dam age of years of austerity. However, we do believe that part of the solution to securing a brighter future for public libraries does involve raising them up the political agenda, and several of her recommendations – if implemented – will contribute significantly to this.”
It was reassured by her view on volunteers:
“We appreciate the Baroness’s commentary on the need to avoid job substitution and
Change at the top to deliver continuity and stability for CILIP
JO Cornish has been appointed CILIP’s Interim CEO. She started the new role on 1 February and will be working alongside current CEO Nick Poole, following his announcement that he will leave CILIP in spring.
The move sees Jo step up from her cur
rent role as Chief Development Officer for CILIP to work with Nick until his departure at the end of March. Jo will then continue in the role as the recruit ment process for a new permanent CEO continues.
deprofessionalisation in public libraries”, however it points out the recommenda tions are “not the Government’s position, nor is there any guarantee that the recom mendations will be implemented, or to what extent. We need to await the Government’s response and any resulting strategy from DCMS for that.” Liz Jolly, chief librarian of the British Library, said: “We look forward to working with DCMS and partners across the sector on the shared challenges and opportuni ties identified by Baroness Sanderson.’’ Isobel Hunter MBE, chief executive
of Libraries Connected, who sat on the review’s advisory panel welcomed the recommendations but said: “For libraries to truly prosper and fulfil the potential outlined in Baroness Sanderson’s review, councils need a fairer, longterm funding solution. Without this, it is difficult to see how these recommendations can be fully implemented and resourced.” .
Jo Cornish.
Jo is a Chartered Fellow of CILIP and has been instrumental in shaping and delivering policy and strategy as part of CILIPs Senior Management Team. She has been a member of CILIP staff for eight years and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the role, having played a key role in rewriting the sector skills standard, the PKSB, and introducing a new apprenticeship standard to the sector. During Jo’s time as Interim CEO, Keith Wilson will be joining
CILIP on a temporary basis to cover some of Jo’s Chief Develop ment Officer duties.
January-February 2024 INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL 5
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