The Public and Mobile Libraries Group report on the advocacy for UK public libraries activities 2007-2017. The report includes an overview of political, professional and public advocacy campaigns and initiatives of the period. The piece covers an insight into the activities of CILIP, SCL, British Library, Libraries Taskforce, and a number of proactive individuals, including Public Library News/
3. Context: UK Public Library’s 2007
• Operating in relative isolation
• Massive inconsistencies
• Sporadic digital inclusion initiatives
• Lack of engagement with ePublishing
• Biennial Public Library User Survey (PLUS) – since 1993
• Entrenched patterns of working, with rigid hierarchy and very
prescribed job roles
• Kodak, Blockbuster and Borders
www.publiclibrariesnews.com/useful/statistics
4. Context: The Changing Face of UK Public Libraries
• Significant disruptive technologies available in 2007, but libraries slow
to adopt/react
• Throughout the decade technological disruptions became increasingly
felt: Self-service; eBooks etc; Collection Management Software
• Publishers were slow to get on-board with e-lending
• For every £1 in central government grant to councils in 2010 they got
67p in 2015
• Budgetary drivers for change obscured other valid reasons for change
www.publiclibrariesnews.com/useful/statistics
http://speakupforlibraries.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Speak_up_libraries_LOBBYPACK_Nov14.pdf
5. Context: The Changing Face of UK Public Libraries
• Professor Hank Lucas, School of Business, University of Maryland
• Primary inhibiting factors that cause businesses to fail in the face of disruptive technologies:
• Denial ‘this will not affect us’
• History ‘we have always don’t it this way’
• Resistance to Change ‘I don’t want to’
• Mind-set ‘but this is not what we do’
• Brand ‘but this is not what WE® do’
• Sunk Costs ‘we are too financially invested in the traditional ways’
• Profitability ‘we still have lots of customers… why change?’
• Lack of imagination ‘there really is no other way for us to work’
Lucas, H. C. The Search for Survival: Lessons from disruptive technologies. ABC-CLIO, 2012, p12
6. Between 2010 - 2017
• 400+ libraries closed
• Including 140+ mobile library services
• A further 200+ removed from council service
• 16,000+ additional volunteers recruited
• Nearly 10,000 library jobs cut (nearly a third of the work force)
• Unpaid staff posts now outnumber paid staff posts 3:2
The Changing Face of UK Public Libraries: Cuts
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-35707956
7. Context: Government Spending Comparisons
£ Million
Total UK Public Library Spending (not including capital) 2009/10* 770
Total UK Public Library Spending (not including capital) 2014/15* 629
% Reduction 18.311688
(* source - CIPFA) % Reduction adjusted for inflation 29.34
(Inflation calculated using Bank of England figures)
£ Million
Total UK Academic Library Spending (not including capital) 2009/10** 580
Total UK Academic Library Spending (not including capital) 2014/15** 634
% Growth 8.52
(** source - LISU Database) % Gain adjusted for inflation 5.44
(Inflation calculated using Bank of England figures)
8. Context: Government Spending Comparisons
£ Million
NHS Annual Budget for 2014/15*** 117.5
UK Welfare Budget for 2014/15*** 221.8
How much of the NHS does a whole year of the UK library budget get you? 46 hours
How much Social Welfare does a whole year of the UK library budget get you? <1 Day
£'s
Total NHS spending per capita for 2014/15 £2,057.00
TotalWelfare spending per capita for 2014/15 £3,439.69
Total Library spending per capita for 2014/15 £9.57
(*** source - HM Government 2014/15 Spending Review)
9. Context: UK Public Library’s Today
• Latest statistics (2015-2016) Reveal:
• 177 million books loaned
• 211 million visits to libraries in England
• More than the total attendance at English
Premier League football matches, cinema
admissions in England and the top 10 UK
tourist attractions combined
www.gov.uk/government/publications/annual-report-to-parliament-on-public-
library-activities-during-2016
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-35707956
• Elizabeth Elford, SCL, “I think inevitably there will be fewer public libraries when
we come out the other side; but they will be better and more innovative”
10. • 2010 Equality Act
o Section 149: Public Sector Equality Duty
• 1998 Human Rights Act (incorporates European Convention on Human Rights)
o Article 8: Right to respect for private and family life
o Article 10: Right to freedom of expression and information
o Article 14: Prohibition of Discrimination
• Public Lending Right
• Copyright
www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1964/75
Context: Libraries Protected by Law
11. • UK Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964
oLocal Authorities must provide a comprehensive and efficient library
service for all people that wish to use it.
oThey must promote the service
oThey must lend books and printed material free of charge to those who
live, work or study in the area.
oThe secretary of state has a duty under the act to superintend and
promote the improvement of public library services, to inspect public
library services and if necessary intervene and take the provision of the
public library service under the control of the Secretary of State
www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1964/75
Context: Libraries Protected by Law
13. • DCMS Select Committee began an enquiry into library closures in 2010
• The resultant 2012 report revealed:
• mismanaged cuts were a failure to meet statutory obligations and devolution of
libraries to community groups represented closures by stealth
• Scope for more coordination and cooperation between authorities
• John Whittingdale MP “The current landscape may appear to bode ill for public
libraries, but during this enquiry we saw many examples of innovative thinking
about what libraries can offer and a number of new models about how these
services can be provided […] but they are not widespread”
• Directly resulted in the commissioning of a report on the cumulative affects of library
closures
Internal Political Advocacy
www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/culture-
media-and-sport-committee/inquiries/parliament-2010/library-closures/
14. • William Sieghart CBE, British entrepreneur and founder of Foreword Prizes
for poetry wrote an Independent Review of e-Lending in Public Libraries in
England 2013
Internal Political Advocacy: Sieghart Review
www.gov.uk/government/publications/an-independent-review-of-e-lending-in-public-libraries-in-england
www.gov.uk/government/publications/independent-library-report-for-england
• Commissioned by DCMS – Independent Library Report for
England
• Took 7 months.
• Consulted numerous stakeholders including: professional
bodies, unions, library authorities, publishers and
authors; and high profile individual library advocates
15. • Report released Dec 2014:
• Three Major Recommendations
• Provision of a national digital resource for libraries
• The setting up of a task and finish force […] to provide a
strategic framework for [libraries] in England
Internal Political Advocacy: Sieghart Review
* www.gov.uk/government/publications/an-independent-review-of-e-lending-in-public-libraries-in-england
www.gov.uk/government/publications/independent-library-report-for-england
www.cilip.org.uk/cilip/news/sieghart-report-public-libraries-convincing-roadmap
• Task force to help local authorities improve, revitalise, and if necessary, change their
local library service, while encouraging, appropriate to each library, increased
community involvement
• CILIP: “Convincing Roadmap”
• ‘The library does more than simply loan books. It underpins every community. It is not just a
place for self-improvement, but the supplier of an infrastructure for life and learning’*
16. • £2.6million awarded to 68 authorities (approximately 1,000 locations)
enabling 99.3% of static UK libraries to be equipped with Wi-Fi
• Libraries Opportunity for Everyone Innovation Fund £4million
• Publishing core datasets, collecting images and case studies
• Creation of online Toolkits: Community Libraries Best Practice; Alternative
Delivery Models; Libraries Shaping the Future Toolkit
• Running workshops and masterclasses
Internal Political Advocacy: Libraries Taskforce
www.gov.uk/government/groups/libraries-taskforce
18. • 7 Outcomes:
● Outcome 1: Cultural and Creative Enrichment ● Outcome 2: Increased Reading and
Literacy ● Outcome 3: Increased Digital Access and Literacy ● Outcome 4: Helping
Everyone Achieve their Full Potential ● Outcome 5: Healthier and Happier Lives
● Outcome 6: Greater Prosperity ● Outcome 7: Stronger More Resilient Communities
• Draws from current best practice examples
• Criticised for presenting ideals without strategies for achieving them
• Advocates for joined-up working
Internal Political Advocacy: Ambition
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/libraries-deliver-ambition-for-public-
libraries-in-england-2016-to-2021/libraries-deliver-ambition-for-public-libraries-in-englan
d-2016-to-2021
19. • House of Lords debates - John Bird
• All Party Parliamentary Group launched 2014
(re-launched 2016)
• 16 Feb 2017 Government extends the Public
Lending Right Act 1979 to include remote
e-lending from public libraries in the UK
• Individual elected members across UK councils
have stood up for libraries (with mixed results)
Internal Political Advocacy
http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-
select/culture-media-and-sport-committee/inquiries/parliament-2010/library-closures/
20. External Political Advocacy
• Representatives from professional bodies (CILIP, SCL, British Library) on panels
and contributing to consultations
• Unison: 2008 ‘Taking Stock: The Future of Our Public Library Service’; 2014 ‘The
Public Library Service Under Attack’; February 2016 public lobby parliament
• 2010-2012 Community Libraries Panel: organised by CILIP to specifically address
members’ concerns about individual authority’s proposals
www.unison.org.uk/content/uploads/2013/06/On-line-Catalogue173013.pdf
www.unison.org.uk/content/uploads/2013/06/On-line-Catalogue215893.pdf
21. External Political Advocacy
• National Library Rally 2012 – Organised
by Speak up for Libraries
• Estimated 300-400 people
• Individual library sit-ins and protests
• National Demonstration 2016
• 2,500 people approximately
• From the British Library to Trafalgar
Square
Photo: @SaveSwinLibrary
24. • People focused advocacy
• Big picture rather than individual cases
• Professional bodies providing support for sector
• Professional bodies contributing to consultations
• Professional bodies representing libraries and librarians at a national level
Professional Advocacy
25. • British Library has stepped-up
• Re-focus on the library resource network
• Business & Intellectual Property Centres
• Involved in consultations etc
• British Library 2020 Vision
• ‘the British Library will be an enabling force in the global networked environment
of users, libraries, archives, research institutions and information providers from
the public and private sectors’
• Roly Keating Chief Executive BL on Libraries Taskforce
Professional Advocacy: The British Library
www.bl.uk/welcome/librarians.html
www.bl.uk/aboutus/stratpolprog/2020vision/2020visioncompleteA3.pdf
26. “Attitude matters, so develop a good one.
Create a winner’s mentality”
Stephen Fear, British Library’s Entrepreneur in Residence 2012-2016
Professional Advocacy: The British Library
www.feargroup.com
27. Professional Advocacy: CILIP
Participation in Public Consultations
• Community Libraries Panel (2009 – 2011)
o 37 separate Library Authority proposals reviewed by Panel,
addressing questions or submissions to each one individually.
• DCMS Select Committee on Library Closures (2011)
o Submission made to Committee by CILIP Board, with input
from Community Libraries Panel, SIG’s and Groups
28. Professional Advocacy: CILIP
Participation in Public Consultations
• DCMS Consultation Paper on Public Lending Right (2012)
o CILIP responded to the proposal to close the Office of the
Registrar of PLR, concerned about the potential loss of trusted
and expert staff in the field.
• Sieghart Review of Public Libraries (2014)
o CILIP participated in the Sieghart Review through both written
submissions and personal presentations to the panel
29. Professional Advocacy: CILIP
Independent initiatives
• Report: Professional Standards of Service in Public
Libraries (2008)
oExamined 10 Library Authorities which had undergone
restructuring or reduction
• CILIP Survey of Public Library Authorities, 2012
oOf respondents, 72% reducing costs; 60% reducing staff;
80% reducing opening hours
• All Party Parliamentary Group on Libraries 2014 - present
oCILIP provides secretariat and organises activities, including
library visits, briefings and publishing APPG reports
• My Library By Right
www.cilip.org.uk/sites/default/files/documents/2008_prof%20standards%20of%20service.pdf
www.cilip.org.uk/sites/default/files/documents/CILIP_Public_Library_Survey_Summary_Report
_A_Changing_Landscape_2012-13_0.pdf
30. Professional Advocacy: My Library By Right
• Sept 2015: CILIP Secures free legal advice from celebrated Human
Rights Barrister Eric Metcalfe
• Oct 2015: CILIP Board approves a law-based advocacy campaign to
re-assert the statutory right to a quality library service
• Dec 2015: My Library by Right Campaign launches
• Jan 2016: Media engagement and campaign profile
• May 2016: ‘Pledge’ campaign for local politicians
• Nov 2016: Re-launch of Libraries All-Party Group
http://mylibrarybyright.org.uk/
32. • Online Petition
• Key Facts
• Your Rights Explained
• Posters
• Twitter Badges
My Library By Right: Campaign Materials
http://mylibrarybyright.org.uk/
33. • Society of Chief Librarians
• SCL Universal Offers
• 2013: Health, Reading, Digital and Information
• 2015: Learning
• Created the SCL Learning Pool: http://scl.learningpool.com/
• SCL also contributed to:
• DCMS Select Committee on Library Closures (2011)
• DCMS Consultation Paper on Public Lending Right (2012)
• Sieghart Review of Public Libraries (2014)
• Created themed initiatives with partners linked to the Offers
Professional Advocacy: Society of Chief Librarians
34. Professional Advocacy: Society of Chief Librarians
• Health Offer:
• A strategy to express the contribution of public libraries to positive health and
wellbeing of communities. Initiative: Books on Prescription with Reading Agency
• Digital Offer:
• Recognises that digital services and skills underpins the 21st Century library
service. Initiative: The Single Sign-On Pilot with JISC and LMS providers.
• Information Offer:
• The focus of the offer is on libraries’ role in supporting access to information and
services online in life-critical areas such as careers and job seeking; health,
personal financial information and benefits. Initiative: Information4Living
36. Public Advocacy
• Sit-ins and banner waving has low success rate
• Petitions have equally low impact
• Example: 1472 signatures, but 75 regular users, library closed 6 months after
first being put under threat
• But… community engagement is the life blood of public libraries
37. • Established 2012
• Coalition of organisations and campaigners working to protect libraries
and library staff, includes: Campaign for the Book; CILIP; The Library
Campaign; Voices for the Library; Unison
Speak up for Libraries
• Annual conference
• Organise protest marches
• Website with linked resources, including a
lobbying pack with template letters
• Strong social media presence
39. Protest
• Frequent first reaction
• 2011 newspaper article prompted initial protest
• Friends of Denby Dale Library formed on National Libraries
Day, 2012
• Defined by negatives
• Did not initially offer any alternative – created a petition
against the removal of paid staff from the library
• Confrontation often provokes a defensive mind-set –
Council initially found it difficult to engage
40. Persuasion
• A move towards open conversation – acknowledging position of both
perspectives
• 2013 Denby Dale Community Project formed to raise funds to establish a
new library embodying alternative delivery models
• Key moment was acknowledgement by Council that the new library would
continue to be part of network and still have professional staff
• Respected advocates join the cause…
• Local Councillor Jim Dodds chairs ‘parallel group’ looking
at alternatives involving local community support
41. • Professional guidance enabled
• DDCP established:
oVolunteer work force
oUndertook an agreed training programme
oIndependent fundraising
oEngaged with local business to support construction of a new library
oCreated a website: www.ddcp.org/
oA blog: https://foddlib.wordpress.com/’
oAnd a Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/theddcp/ and Twitter
@DenbyDaleCP
Participation
43. The Picture Now
• Denby Dale Community Partnership (DDCP) registered as a community
enterprise with charitable status.
• Denby Dale is still a part of the Library Authority with:
oBook fund provided stock
oLibrary Service IT facilities
oFull access to catalogue including online subscription services
oStarted looking for business partners to co-locate
• AND led by a professional paid member of staff
44. The Picture Now
• Opening hours increased from 25 to 43 a week.
• Exciting new programme of events and activities
• 558 Issues in the first 3 days of opening
• All despite a substantial reduction in costs for the
Council
45. Lessons
• Open dialogues rather than confrontations
• It does not work everywhere…
• Relies on established community engagement
• Volunteer success relies on strong
professional guidance
• Finding funds always challenging
48. • The Society of Authors – ‘support national and local campaigns to
save libraries threatened by funding cuts’
• Alan Gibbons – credited with instigating National Libraries Day and
‘Campaign for the Book’
• Dolly Parton – Imagination Library
www.societyofauthors.org/Where-We-Stand/Libraries
Celebrity Endorsement: The Power of Positive Backing
49. • David Almond
• Philip Ardagh
• Julian Barnes
• Alan Bennett
• Eric Chappell
• Martina Cole
• John Connelly
Celebrity Endorsement: Authors
• Colin Dexter
• Julia Donaldson
• Margaret Drabble
• Anne Fine
• Neil Gaiman
• Maggie Gee
• Alan Gibbons
• Debi Gliori
• Christopher Gray
• Lee Hall
• Tony Hawkes
• Val McDermid
• Ken McLeod
• Debborah Moggach
50. Celebrity Endorsement: Authors
• Terry Pratchett
• Philip Pullman
• Bali Rai
• Michael Rosen
• J. K. Rowling
• Oliver Sacks
• Zadie Smith
• Michael Moore
• Michael Morpurgo
• David Nicholls
• John O’Farrell
• Tim Pears
• Gervase Phinn
• Charles Stross
• Barbara Trapido
• Minette Walters
• Irvine Welsh
• Jacqueline Wilson
• Jeanette Winterson
51. Celebrity Endorsement: On Social Media
• Chris Riddell
• Author and Illustrator
• Illustrates Quotes
• Advocating for libraries
• … and Librarians
• …and posts the on
social media
52. • BBC reported on Simon Callow donating 1000 of his own books to libraries
• Times newspaper reported on BAFTA winning actress Prunella Scales
signing petition against library closure
• Independent newspaper reported on Elbow singer, Guy Garvey’s
contributions to Radio 6 Libraries Celebration week
• Comedians Alexei Sayle, Phil Jupitus, Robin Ince, Helen Arny and Robyn
Hitchcock gained various media attention through their ‘Stand Up for
Libraries’ fundraiser performance.
Celebrity Endorsement: Local and National Media
Attention
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-16305457
www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/make-more-elbow-room-for-the-
nations-libraries-says-guy-garvey-9849304.html
www.savekensalriselibrary.org/2011/08/02/mon-17th-oct-stand-up-for-libraries-comedy-
with-phil-jupitus-robin-ince-helen-arney-robyn-hitchcock/
53. “without libraries and
librarians we are less human
and more profoundly alone”
Nicola Davies, Children’s Author
Celebrity Endorsement: Local and National Media
Attention
www.theguardian.com/voluntary-sector-network/2017/mar/02/without-libraries-and-
librarians-we-are-less-human-and-more-profoundly-alone
54. • Celebrity Endorsement helps to raise public awareness
• Evokes positive emotion
• Positive association
• Sense of solidarity
• IT IS NOT A CAMPAIGN ONLY A TOOL:
Celebrity + Good argument = Improved chance of success
Celebrity + No Good argument = Still unlikely to succeed
Celebrity Endorsement: The Benefits
56. • Environmental Waste
• Travel Cards/ Concessionary Travel / Disabled Parking
• Tourist Information
• Councillor and MP Surgeries
• Business Support Services (business licensing and information)
• Cash payments for council services
• Probation Services
New Models: Gateway to Government Services
www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/NEWS/15126295.Tourist_centres_to_m
erge_with_library_service_in_bid_to_save___200_000/
57. New Models: Gateway to Government Services
• Signposting government services: Children’s Centres, Youth Centres, Schools
• Support for refugees, asylum seekers and other immigrants
• Digital by Default : Online Access to Government Services
• Health Services (Books on Prescription)
• Services for Carers
58. New Models: More Stakeholders
• External funders (Arts Council England, Heritage Lottery Fund, EU)
• Government direct partnerships, e.g. NHS, Home Office
• Bookstart
• The Reading Agency
• Third sector outreach
o University of the Third Age; Age UK;
Alzheimer’s Society; Autism GB; Job Centre
Plus; Citizen’s Advice Bureau;
59. • Amazon Lockers
• Photo-Me Booths
• Postage stamps
• Book Tokens
• Booking Office
• Space rental (Exhibition space, meeting
rooms, office spaces, event halls)
• Commissioned Sales
New Models: New Income Streams
60. • Registered UK Charities
• Third sector organisations
• Other Council Services
• Commercial
• Example: Millennium Library
New Models: Co-Location
61. • Trust Status
• Most operate with continued Local Authority funding
• Public Service Mutual
• Most operate with continued Local Authority funding
• Social Enterprise (Charitable or PLC)
• Charitable social enterprises can access funds that PLC’s cannot
• Privately Owned (Outsourced)
• One privately operated library service boasts the highest percentage cut in paid
staff in the UK: 63.5% of staff made redundant
• Joint Venture
• Combination of public sector and private provider ownership
Alternative Governance Models
64. • Individual (Ian Anstice) with no prior experience of blogging
• www.publiclibrariesnews.com
• Providing information that no-one else was collating – earned a mention
in the House of Commons within three months
• Never promoted, people found PLN themselves, including national and
international media
• Receives weekly enquiries
• Started as a protest moved into more balances resource listing investment
and innovation items as well as closure and cut stories
Public Library News
65. • Twitter: @publiclibnews – subsequent thread
• @publiclibnews more than twice as many readers as the blog
• The Government Department for Culture Media and Sport and
the Libraries Taskforce use this information resource
• Not tied to a political party
• Avoids jargon
• Connects at all levels
• “One-man band” with occasional support from specialists i.e.
Web Developers
• 2-4 hours on at least 4 evenings a week
Public Library News
67. Libraries Hacked
-
• Dave Rowe
• @LibrariesHacked
• 989 Followers
• 1,888 Tweets
• Progressive ideas:
• Open Data
• New technologies
68. Nick Poole
-
• CEO of CILIP
• @NickPoole1
• 8,244 Twitter Followers
• 18.9k Tweets
• Spotlights latest
developments
• Engages in political debate
69. Other Notable Individuals
• Laura Swaffield @lswaffield1 – Public Library Activist – 384 Followers
• Lauren Smith @walkyouhome – Politically engaged Researcher – 4,189 followers
• Phil Bradley @Philbradley – Librarian and internet consultant – 17.5k followers
• Stella Duffy @StellDuffy – Innovator behind Fun Palaces - 22k followers
• Eli Neiburger @ulotrichous – Self-proclaimed, geek, dad, librarian – 3,098 followers
• Sarah Houghton @TheLib – Library Director, author, speaker, iconoclast – 16.2k followers
• Sara Wingate Gray and Sarah Lomax @artefactors – Collections + Technology x
Ideas = artefactors – 280 followers.
• Library customers and users have the power to change the narrative too. Just look
at United Airlines!
70. Defend the 10
-
• Lambeth, London
• http://defendthe10-
lambeth.org.uk/
• @DefendtheTen
• 2,976 Twitter Followers
• 12.4k Tweets
71. The Library Campaign
-
• Independent registered charity
• National
• Set up in 1984
• www.librarycampaign.com
@LibraryCampaign
• 5,540 Twitter Followers
• 20.4k Tweets
73. • Know and understand your context
• Extend advocacy to all issues affecting the sector from author to
publisher to reader and everything in between.
• Open dialogues
• Don’t just make noise, actually say something!
• Try to be a part of every conversation affecting your activities
• Engage with all stakeholders
Closing Remarks
74. • Professor Hank Lucas: How would your library score?
• Libraries steeped in history, but our secret weapon is that we are
meeting our future head-on and we do not lack imagination.
• Evolve the business model
• If we had known 10 years ago what we know now, maybe 300+ more
libraries would still be open…
Closing Remarks
75. Jon Davis and Jacqueline Widdowson
PMLGAccess@gmail.com