This morning I stumbled across this blog post on the CILIP website about volunteers in libraries. The most interesting (slash disturbing) statement being:
“The Policy Department at CILIP is currently drawing together a position statement about community managed libraries. For us it seems essential that, when set up, they should fall within the statutory provision and be considered an integral part of the public library network – for this they will rely on the continued existence of a professionally led, quality statutory service.”
Hardly the stirring attack on coalition policy that many advocates would have hoped for. Let’s hope that as well as campaigning for libraries, CILIP also leads the way in the fight against privatisation and the coalition’s destructive ideology.
UPDATE
Annie Mauger has subsequently added this statement to the aforementioned blog post:
“The Blog below was written with the intent of contributing to the debate on the use of volunteers and community managed libraries and pointing out some dilemmas that the profession is facing. CILIP’s standpoint remains that only a professionally run library service can fully meet community needs and comply with the statutory requirements.
We sincerely apologise to anybody who thinks otherwise from this blog. I made a speech with the Minister present at the Future of Public libraries event on 20th June reinforcing the value of professional services and why we need them. CILIP will continue to advocate the importance of professionally run services and experienced staff and the contribution they make to communities, families and society.”
