News

« Headlines

Poet Motion takes on Clarke

28.11.08 Benedicte Page

Poet Laureate Andrew Motion has branded accusations that he had failed to act as an advocate for the public library service as “a piece of personal rudeness" and “spectacular proof of ignorance".
Motion was reacting to comments made by library campaigner Desmond Clarke who argued that the poet should have done more for libraries in his role as chair of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA).

In a letter to The Bookseller last week (21st November) Clarke argued that the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, the Advisory Council on Libraries and the MLA were all failing to stand up for public libraries. He said that when Andrew Motion arrived at the MLA in the summer he announced he would be “focusing on libraries—putting the ‘L’ back into MLA". But soon after, Clarke said, “the MLA slipped below everyone’s radar".

Clarke added: “At a time when resources are under pressure, libraries need powerful advocacy from their strategic agencies. Their chairmen are not paid by the public purse to remain mute."

Motion’s angry response came in a reply published this week, in which he stated: “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, have given interviews about libraries to journalists, and have supported as energetically as possible the terrific work undertaken on behalf of libraries by Roy Clare, the c.e.o. of the MLA, and his team."

Clare has also responded to Clarke’s criticism, writing: “In my first year at the helm of MLA I have visited more than 100 public libraries in more than 50 locations across the country."

Clare said the MLA had “been applying substantial energies continually throughout the past 12 months to help bring about a better service to library authorities wishing to innovate and develop".

But he warned: “Leadership for library services is essentially a local issue . . . There is no national template."

Blogs: MLA Debate

Benedicte Page Desmond Clarke Home Andrew Motion MLA Debate

Add comment

By posting on this website you agree to the Bookseller Comments Policy. Comments go direct to live, please be relevant, brief and definitely not abusive. Report any "unsuitable" comments by clicking the links.

Name

Comment

Email

Comments on this article

By Tim Coates

Andrew Motion should not be uppity here. Desmond Clarke is quite right: the voice calling out for books in public libraries is not being heard and it needs to be. We are, I'm afraid, in a tough battle, and no one can be squeamish. There are several councils now in which spending on books has fallen below 4% of their library funding and 25 in which spend on childrens' books is below 1% of funds. I'm afraid that Roy Clare and Andrew are wrong to say, as has become their habit, that 'There is no national template' for what makes a public library . There has to be a national template in which study, learning and access to literature are what distinguishes a public library from a mere community centre. That is what Andrew, as chair of the MLA, needs to be saying loudly- and Desmond is right to say so. He is not being rude. He is speaking on behalf of millions of people who need public libraries who are watching their service destroyed. Andrew needs to get onside and earn his custard.

28 Nov 08 11:25

Unsuitable?

By JULIAN RIVERS

The brutal truth is whatever has or has not been done , it has not been effective, in setting a course to restore libraries. . However, I think we all know that the problems with public libraries lie with the overall self serving nature of many in the sector .Government needs to get a grip and clear out much of this, rather poor Andrew Motion . Who seems to think that critical comment is rude . No , it is just critical . Desmond knows what to do ,as does Tim .Give them the job .OR more likely " Let's carry out a 2 year study and report back in 2011 when we can set up a framework for change , and then hold a few conferences to ensure that is is non . By that time everyone is closer to their pension!."

28 Nov 08 12:20

Unsuitable?

By JULIAN RIVERS

Excuse the message above riddled with errors! A missing word is ....government needs to get a grip and clear out much of this, rather THAN poor Andrew Motion , taking responsibility .

28 Nov 08 15:17

Unsuitable?

See Also