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 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?

Yes there are lots of causes. I am working with some libraries now to try and put their 'collection management' back on track. It has been wrong for a long time, and they acknowledge they should have noticed. A lot of the correction lies in their own hands, but the first step is to admit the problem

I'm sorry, but I still disagree. Books are themselves a tremendous invitation, if they contain what people want to read and are properly presented. There is no need for 'bait'. The public library profession and administration have followed a zeitgeist for 20 years, for which there was no evidence

You might like to read my Freckle reports, in which we have used both the IMLS (US government data) but also consumer research

Maybe- but all those figures show that people don't want libraries 'to evolve into hubs' - they actually want libraries to restore their book collections, which have become very poor. Books are extremely relevant. And it is quite a difficult job to maintain a good collection.

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 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.

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.

If you know of any Yorkshire choirs or brass bands who would like to sing these, please pass them on .... words and scores available
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdQ1...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xRt...

If you know of any Yorkshire choir or brass band who would like to sing and play these - please pass them on - (scores and words available) .

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xRt...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdQ1...

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

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

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.

I think we agree, both ...
- there is a major problem in the public library sector
- there's no reason to believe that the British Library should be part of the solution

Yes- I agree with this - but there is certainly a problem, and the existing structure and bodies in it are not the answer.

I would very happily explain - but please can you say in which country you are and what your perspective is?

To start - here are some graphs:

By the way that is an utterly dreary photograph of a dismal library - if you are going to post photographs to show what you do, try to find a good one