Editorial

Abstract

Discusses the Who’s in Charge? report by Tim Coates which provoked considerable debate within the public library community on its publication as well as national press interest. The report highlights the poor value for money of public libraries in the light of declining visitor numbers and book issues as well as the inefficiency of management practices. Although many in the public library sector concede that Who’s in Charge? does identify and discuss some serious issues facing public libraries, the solutions offered, focusing primarily on the redistribution of staffing costs, are considered unrealistic and insufficient. Suggests that the impact of social developments is underestimated in the report and that modern lifestyles have had a significant effect on public library use. Questions the view proposed in the report that the public want libraries as they have always been and contends that such a strategy will not attract non-users. Considers the problems facing many public library buildings and suggests their solution requires a more radical approach and a larger injection of funds than the redistribution suggested by Coates would provide. Notes that there has been some good news for public libraries with visitor numbers on the up-turn nationally and issue figures rising in some authorities. Concludes that extra funding is required to address the years of underinvestment suffered by public libraries.