News

Libraries Day shift mooted

07.09.12 | Joshua Farrington

A proposal to move National Libraries Day 2013 from February to the end of the year has been criticised by library supporters.

The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) has said “initial thoughts” are to hold the next NLD, the third such event, at the end of 2013. The date shift would allow the day to be aligned with CILIP’s Libraries Change Lives Award.

Library campaigner Desmond Clarke said: “Early February has proven to be a very good time for attracting media coverage, raising awareness and thus public interest. People were delighted to visit their local library, and take along their kids, to show their support on a Saturday in early February.”

He added: “The focus of NLD has been on library users and why libraries are so important to them. Last year even the minister had to show that he visited a library on the day. The media want to hear from library users and their battles across the country to save and improve their local libraries.”

Alan Gibbons, the driving force behind the original NLD, said he was also in favour of keeping it in February, but added: “In the interests of unity and inclusion I am open to alternatives.”

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By Shirley Burnham

People are all fired up and ready for February. By the end of the 2013 their libraries may have closed or their valued staff dismissed. Perhaps CILIP could consider bringing their Awards ceremony forward? At least that might ensure there are enough libraries AND staff still in existence to have half a chance of "changing lives". Just a thought.

Fri, 07/09/2012 - 14:16
By blmc2012

An uncomfortable observation and not for the first time - CILIP - we pay to belong and for them to make of our money and wefare what they can within economic and political restraints - so why not let them debate a ceremonnial date - personally I can see many benefits both cost savings and to the recipients. A more pressing and fundamentially restrictive policiacy is the continued prevention of basic information tobe accurately reported and freely reviewed at its fullest then remarked apon in a manner that can be followed by all subsequent readers.
I wanted an appraisal of the parent issue surrounding the proposed but not yet seriously considered date move. It would serve all parties here in BS right if CILIP did exactly what we pay them to do. Afterall survival is no longer about who is fitest. CILIP could be the biggest alie in BS pocket, so drop the constant irrition and think about what they may do for you!
With thanks. BB

Mon, 10/09/2012 - 14:46
By ElizCro

I was as annoyed as others on reading this but then realised CILIP awards are in June, aren't they? That is not the "end of the year" as stated. The Bookseller is usually a really reliable well-researched source of info, so I am surprised.

The move might just work well and be mooted for a combination of reasons, not necessarily all reported here. For example, people might be more likely to turn out in better weather (no risk of snow!) and the event might get more attention as outside spaces, where available, could be used, so more visible.

It might also address some anxieties about 'those damn library campaigners' hijacking an otherwise positive event, celebrating libraries, if it is linked to a positive awards event. The clear message would be it is a celebration...So councils like Kent, Croydon and others would have no excuse to shy away from marking the event, as they have in the past. This would achieve a higher profile for libraries, their value to the communities who use them and the strength of support for them.

The details of Croydon for NLD 2012 are covered in http://soslibrary.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/croydon-under-fire-for-national... (inc link to The Bookseller article) and the hastily cobbled together displays and details, produced when caught out by The Bookseller, can be found here http://soslibrary.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/half-baked-news-of-croydon-libr...

This exposed the truth but just added to the work of the already short-staffed library service when the local authority tried to cover up the real situation at the last minute. Wouldn't it be great to get local authorities actively celebrating libraries?

It also occurs to me that this doesn't stop campaigners claiming the Feb date for themselves. Just a thought!

Tue, 11/09/2012 - 14:14
By Joshua Farrington

Hi ElizCro,

In the original email from CILIP, they said: "Our initial thoughts are to hold it at the end of 2013. We would end the celebrations with the awarding of the CILIP Libraries Change Lives Award."

You are right that this year, the awards were held in June, and in a follow up message from CILIP they have mentioned the possibility of also holding a National Libraries Week during the summer. The date has not yet been decided on, and we understand that various possibilities are being looked at. I am sure they are happy to hear any suggestions!

All the best,

Joshua Farrington

Tue, 11/09/2012 - 15:17
By ElizCro

Thank you for clarifying Joshua. It is very helpful to know you had "at the end of 2013" in writing from CILIP.

I think there is more to this than just a date change in any case. Let's see what develops. It's certainly causing quite a stir!

Wed, 12/09/2012 - 10:13
By Shirley Burnham

People are all fired up and ready for February. By the end of the 2013 their libraries may have closed or their valued staff dismissed. Perhaps CILIP could consider bringing their Awards ceremony forward? At least that might ensure there are enough libraries AND staff still in existence to have half a chance of "changing lives". Just a thought.

Fri, 07/09/2012 - 14:16
By blmc2012

An uncomfortable observation and not for the first time - CILIP - we pay to belong and for them to make of our money and wefare what they can within economic and political restraints - so why not let them debate a ceremonnial date - personally I can see many benefits both cost savings and to the recipients. A more pressing and fundamentially restrictive policiacy is the continued prevention of basic information tobe accurately reported and freely reviewed at its fullest then remarked apon in a manner that can be followed by all subsequent readers.
I wanted an appraisal of the parent issue surrounding the proposed but not yet seriously considered date move. It would serve all parties here in BS right if CILIP did exactly what we pay them to do. Afterall survival is no longer about who is fitest. CILIP could be the biggest alie in BS pocket, so drop the constant irrition and think about what they may do for you!
With thanks. BB

Mon, 10/09/2012 - 14:46
By ElizCro

I was as annoyed as others on reading this but then realised CILIP awards are in June, aren't they? That is not the "end of the year" as stated. The Bookseller is usually a really reliable well-researched source of info, so I am surprised.

The move might just work well and be mooted for a combination of reasons, not necessarily all reported here. For example, people might be more likely to turn out in better weather (no risk of snow!) and the event might get more attention as outside spaces, where available, could be used, so more visible.

It might also address some anxieties about 'those damn library campaigners' hijacking an otherwise positive event, celebrating libraries, if it is linked to a positive awards event. The clear message would be it is a celebration...So councils like Kent, Croydon and others would have no excuse to shy away from marking the event, as they have in the past. This would achieve a higher profile for libraries, their value to the communities who use them and the strength of support for them.

The details of Croydon for NLD 2012 are covered in http://soslibrary.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/croydon-under-fire-for-national... (inc link to The Bookseller article) and the hastily cobbled together displays and details, produced when caught out by The Bookseller, can be found here http://soslibrary.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/half-baked-news-of-croydon-libr...

This exposed the truth but just added to the work of the already short-staffed library service when the local authority tried to cover up the real situation at the last minute. Wouldn't it be great to get local authorities actively celebrating libraries?

It also occurs to me that this doesn't stop campaigners claiming the Feb date for themselves. Just a thought!

Tue, 11/09/2012 - 14:14
By Joshua Farrington

Hi ElizCro,

In the original email from CILIP, they said: "Our initial thoughts are to hold it at the end of 2013. We would end the celebrations with the awarding of the CILIP Libraries Change Lives Award."

You are right that this year, the awards were held in June, and in a follow up message from CILIP they have mentioned the possibility of also holding a National Libraries Week during the summer. The date has not yet been decided on, and we understand that various possibilities are being looked at. I am sure they are happy to hear any suggestions!

All the best,

Joshua Farrington

Tue, 11/09/2012 - 15:17
By ElizCro

Thank you for clarifying Joshua. It is very helpful to know you had "at the end of 2013" in writing from CILIP.

I think there is more to this than just a date change in any case. Let's see what develops. It's certainly causing quite a stir!

Wed, 12/09/2012 - 10:13

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