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The library service needs an individual like Tate Gallery director Nicholas Serota to offer visionary leadership and offer a long-term perspective, Channel 4's Matt Locke told a debate on libraries last night (26th October).
The channel's commissioning editor for Education and New Media was speaking at a Reading Agency round table. He said: "Serota has done a great job at the Tate of articulating that long term vision that goes beyond the political cycles. It's important not to be constantly working on short-term tactical initiatives - like e-books."
Librarians, councillors, consultants and campaigners joined the discussion, chaired by Faber c.e.o. Stephen Page and held at the Free Word Centre in Farringdon, London.
Public policy consultant Sue Charteris called for a "national coalition of the willing" to support the beleaguered service, but also said the current climate of change offered opportunities for public libraries to reorganise.
"At last the culture is changing in terms of how local councils co-operate with one another," she said. "The mood has changed and we are going to get large groups of local authorities acting together. I really think it's different this time."
Campaigner Tim Coates reiterated his claim that 1,000 libraries are set to go in the wave of cuts, and called on publishers to take a leading role in supporting the service. "We are going to go through a horrible two years but from there we can build," he said, adding: "The Publishers Association is the only body who can help now. The Future Libraries Programme is a waste of time."