Library 'consortia' are used to share books between libraries, for the benefit of readers. However, we have found that, on balance, the cost is such that it is mostly cheaper and quicker for the library to purchase new copies from their supplier than to have them transferred from somewhere else.

I'm always trying to find a choir (and small brass group) to sing these. The 7 parts of 'Moors and the Sea' are: Pilgrimage of Grace; Danby Beacon; Wade's Causeway; All through the night; Rievaulx; Egton Bridge; Scarborough Castle. Words from English poems Scores free www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xRt...

For public libraries, these handouts are always a complete waste of money. They are given without purpose or strategy and never produce anything worthwhile. Public libraries in England already receive £700m every year.

New York Public Library is the largest public library service in the world Here is the recent statement of strategy they have published www.nypl.org/sites-drupal...

There are those, both here and in the United States, who struggle to persuade both library professionals & politicians who fund them, that the value of a local public library is its provision of reading material and a place to read, for local people. This ridiculous announcement hurts in every way.

The truth is that what this photograph shows is that Leigh #library @artscouncilengland.bsky.social improvement fund @librariesconnected.bsky.social Wigan Council have wasted an immense amount of precious money, allocated to public libraries - on a fighting ring .... @margarethodge.bsky.social

I cannot conceive how anyone would boast about this photograph of a public library. It is little wonder that so few people use them these days ...

Besides - the numbers of people attending adult events in libraries in the UK is very small indeed - it would put anyone off funding a public library . The numbers are in the DCMS ‘participation survey’

As long as @librariesconnected.bsky.social keep endlessly reciting this kind of social nonsense, the more they lose any value or influence they could have over bringing improvement to libraries. Margaret Hodge @margarethodge.bsky.social is right. It's time to stop this

Perhaps you could include the Year of Reading campaign?

The serious movement to improve the quality of book shops that happened in the 1980's was brave, honourable, well conducted and has proved enduring and successful. It took place in many countries and has been sustained, in the US as Barnes and Noble, in the UK as Waterstones.

I don't think 'Empowering Impact' - whatever it is supposed to mean in English - is a very clear or inspirational slogan. Can you think of something else that might not just work for sledgehammers?

I don't agree - it is the reduction on emphasis on books that has caused the very serious decline in the use of public libraries over a long term. A library IS a place for books, but the number of books in US public libraries has fallen by 160m in 12 years.

I think there are reasons why people have lost trust in public libraries and it would be good if both the profession and those who give them support (like Sage) began to understand what these reasons are and address them properly. Libraries are not universally good.

There could be no better case study of failure in government than 'the single digital presence' for public libraries. Government paid for and asked 'the sector' to devise a sensible plan. Many millions were spent, but all the sector bodies ensured was that it wouldn't affect them.

This graph shows failure, complete, if the service you are paid to provide is increasingly ignored by the public, as it is. Yet in government, that doesn't seem to matter if your friends in the department that pays for you, will support and excuse all the shortcomings - as they do. ACE and the DCMS

These evasions by @louiscoiffait-gunn.bsky.social @cilip.bsky.social @librariesconnected.bsky.social and @ih1968.bsky.social are missing the central point of the role of both the organisations which they are trying to defend It is shown here

It's interesting to explain exactly what @cilip.bsky.social have got wrong for the benefit of @louiscoiffait-gunn.bsky.social . They -allowed 'localism' to destroy the effect of the 1964 Act -failed ever to understand the right balance between technology and printed books -neglected training

CILIP have a nerve to think they have any clout after standing by all the while the destruction of public library infrastructure has been rampant.

The arrogance of this statement from @librariesconnected.bsky.social @ih1968.bsky.social is beyond belief.They have been reviewed by a serious, experienced senior politician, with ministerial experience in the sector - and - without evidence except their own opinion, they tell her she is wrong.

Complete nonsense. @margarethodge.bsky.social is absolutely right to observe that the 'Development role' for public libraries (and bodies like @librariesconnected.bsky.social) have been an ineffective waste of money for at least a decade. If there is to be a central sector, it needs new direction.

That just shows that whoever was at the 'library sector round table' with Mrs Hodge and the review team, had no contact with the reality of what has happened to public libraries over the past 20 years She (Mrs Hodge) does have, because, for a while, she was the minister responsible.

In trying to help public libraries reputation among local people, we have stopped using Dewey classifications that mean nothing to most patrons and instead encourage library staff to shelve books by looking at them properly and using simple BISAC book industry names to display them in a helpful way.

This is complete total nonsense. Within it are all the reasons why hardly anyone uses public libraries any more There is no merit in 'surprising you' - what they should aim to do is to provide the service that you expect in a welcoming and efficient way.

This report has no evidence at all. It ends up as the faux sociology we have seen from #libraries for over 20 years and which has ruined public libraries in many countries. Very few people in the UK, Germany the US and others actually go to libraries. For that there is a lot of evidence.

I know that my view is deeply unpopular in the #library community but this initiative and approach to public libraries, described below, is consistently and persistently absolutely wrong for public libraries It will reduce numbers of users and eventually cause councils to cut funds in all countries

If you know of any Yorkshire choirs who might like to sing these - please pass them on; (words and scores available) www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xRt... www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdQ1...

Spell it out. In 12 years @dcmsgovuk.bsky.social @cilip.bsky.social @librariesconnected.bsky.social @artscouncilengland.bsky.social have not achieved - a Single Digital presence - a Digital book service - any increase in public library use and have watched funding fall and libraries close.

Immense breakthrough in public libraries yesterday, in which we can see that the current arrangement of systems and suppliers produces completely wrong collections of books and puts the public off - and how it can be put right. In the US. Very pleased.

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

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.

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

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