The Bookseller.com

7th January 2009

Poet Laureate Andrew Motion is chair of the Museums, Libraries & Archives Council (MLA).

Clarke ‘rude’ to Motion

27.11.08

Desmond Clarke's allegation that I have not "made any attempt to talk publicly about the importance of public libraries" since my appointment as chair of the Museums, Libraries & Archives Council (MLA) last summer is self-evidently a piece of personal rudeness, but more seriously (because of the larger disrespect it shows to the MLA and others working in the sector) a spectacular proof of ignorance.

Since taking on the job of chair I have given a large number of talks around the country, speaking about libraries as well as my work as poet laureate. I have given interviews about libraries to journalists, and supported as energetically as possible the terrific work undertaken on behalf of libraries by Roy Clare, c.e.o. of the MLA, and his team.

Furthermore, and like everyone else in the MLA, I am fully engaged in the review of libraries presently being undertaken by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport; this is the most intelligent and productive course for us to follow at the moment. Certainly more intelligent and productive than firing off ill-informed and therefore misleading letters of the kind that Desmond Clarke has written. When the review is complete, the library sector can of course expect the vocal and encouraging leadership of the MLA to continue­—and grow.

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