Last modified on 2012-05-08 12:55:17 GMT. 22 comments. Top.
What should a 21st century public library service look like? (Image c/o Landeshauptstadt Stuttgart on Flickr).
Voices for the Library needs your help. We want to create a manifesto for public libraries, a clear vision for what we believe a 21st Century library service should look like and how it should be delivered. We have been fighting library closures across the country for a long time. When we formed Voices For The Library our intention was to highlight the positive aspects of public libraries, but our energy has been focused on fighting the immediate threat to them. Consequently we haven’t had time to build a picture of what libraries should be. It is time to express a clear vision, so that when politicians and the media ask the question we can clearly articulate what a library service should deliver.
Until now there has been no attempt to communicate a strong statement about the basic standards we expect of our libraries in the UK, or a clear vision for the future for public libraries. We want you, everybody who uses, loves, works in, or needs libraries, to share your ideas and tell us your vision for public libraries. What services should they provide? How should they be provided? Who should run libraries? How should they be staffed? We want you to help us to devise and communicate this vision to the media and government.
If you have any ideas that you would like to share, why not post them in the comments below (click comments at the top of this post)? If you are on Twitter use the hashtag #libfesto or join our Facebook group to share your thoughts. So tell us: what do you think a 21st century public library service should look like?
