With Borders having closed its doors before Christmas, it would be easy to get quite depressed about the decline of reading, visiting and browsing in bookshops and libraries. The Bookseller points out in its editorial of 18/12/09 that in 2000 some 154 million books were sold. This year, that total is likely to be around 240 million. So, is it true that the public are buying more books rather than borrowing books from libraries and should that concern librarians or give them pride because they provide for those who cannot afford to fund their reading appetites?
It is a well-known fact that library bookfunds have declined over that period. What is overlooked is the impact of the fall in book prices since the abolition of the Net Book Agreement and negotiation of greater discounts in library supply. In 1996/7 1,177,207 items were purchased for lending stock in libraries, compared to the 2007/8 figure of 1,239,099. More books are purchased by Scottish libraries than 11 years ago.
The Scottish Library and Information Council has also just published reports which indicate that our public library services continue to provide valuable and important part of our communities. Public Library Quality Improvement Matrix (PLQIM) self evaluation exercises were undertaken in:
Elaine Fulton, Director of SLIC commented.
"Since the start of the recession SLIC has been monitoring changes in library activity and sees increases in visits and lending issues. Libraries have long promoted their value as reading plus and this case is supported again through a comparison of the 1996/7 visitor total of 27,603,664 to 28,609,357 in 2007/8. Libraries have diversified with the introduction of downloadable audio files and e-books.
We’ve yet to see the long-heralded demise of the printed book but print on demand, use of e-books, book vending terminals, self service and downloadable audio files do mean that access to the world of the published world is vastly different. Library catalogues are web available 24/7, it’s fascinating to watch virtual visits increase in the last 12 months by over 2 million to 12,846,283.
It is also great to see through the PLQIM system of verified self evaluation that libraries across Scotland have risen to the challenge. By in large we’re getting better at what we do, even though times are very tough in local authorities. But in the coming years - More than ever, we need to get our public and politicians behind us!"
Contact: Elaine Fulton, Director, SLIC t: 07831 353283 e: e.fulton@slainte.org.uk
Or Rhona Arthur, Assistant Director, SLIC t: 07778 285659 e: r.arthur@slainte.org.uk
The Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) is the independent advisory body to the Scottish Government on library and information matters. SLIC was established in 1991 and is funded by organisational membership subscriptions. The Scottish Government partially funds the Council in its work and The National Library of Scotland also contributes financial assistance. SLIC members include all local authority, higher education and further education institutions, NHS Trust library services and other specialist library and information organisations.
Reports from the following local authorities are available at http://www.slainte.org.uk/slic/plqim/2009.htm.