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