You are viewing your 1 free article this month. Login to read more articles.
Publishers are committed to a programme of strong support for libraries in 2012, despite the "thorny" issue of e-book lending, Penguin General m.d. Joanna Prior has said. Meanwhile Waterstone's m.d. James Daunt has promised to test new ways of working with libraries over the coming year.
Speaking at an event at Waterstone's Piccadilly last night (29th November), held by charity The Reading Agency (TRA) with the Society of Chief Librarians (SCL), Prior said publishers were committed to making their partnership with libraries "meaningful" in the year ahead.
"We will stitch it into every industry reading promotion we do, and push library membership and how important libraries are to a healthy cultural life," she promised. "Every week, every month, there will be be packed literary library events. And authors will be present at the openings of some of the splendid new libraries opening up."
Prior urged libraries to "bear with us" on the "thorny" issue of e-book lending. "A lot very precious to us all is at stake, most importantly the livelihoods of authors," she said. "As publishers we need to think hard and with you all. I am sure we will come up with solutions. Please bear with us."
As the current chair of this year's World Book Day, Prior promised the event will have a "strong library emphasis" in 2012, with a push to get children to join their local library. Meanwhile a message about joining your local library will be included in all books printed for donation on World Book Night, chief executive Julia Kingsford confirmed.
A further partnership between Waterstone's and The Reading Agency was also announced. M.d. James Daunt said: "We've worked closely with The Reading Agency over the last year to develop our links with local libraries. In 2012, through our partnership, we will be testing out practical ideas and new ways of working with libraries, to the benefit of all."
The announcements came as TRA director Miranda McKearney hailed a "more joined-up reading universe" working together to support libraries over the next year. "We hope to go into 2012 with an amazing programme of new activity, we have an exciting new strategy to work together and together with World Book Day and World Book Night," she said.
Speakers including Newcastle library chief Tony Durcan and author Kate Mosse stressed the need for a positive and celebratory message on libraries, as opposed to the stark media coverage of library cuts. At least 40 new or significantly refurbished libraries will be opened in 2012, it was said.
However campaigner Desmond Clarke, attending the event, took issue with that PR approach. "I found it bizarre that we were asked to celebrate just 40 refurbished or shiny new libraries across 151 authorities when thousands of campaigners across the country are fighting tirelessly to retain their community library," he commented. "CILIP reports that about 600 libraries are under threat of closure but this fact was simply ignored."