This is a preview of an article written for the upcoming issue of Panlibus Magazine.

Libraries and the Big Society

Towards the end of July in Liverpool, the UK’s new Prime Minister, David Cameron, finally set out his plans for his vision of the Big Society. The initiative is based on the devolution of power from Westminster to local communities, and the empowerment of citizens to run local public services (including, of course, public libraries).

Cutting costs or empowering communities

In announcing the Big Society, David Cameron focused on the pivotal role of people and communities saying it is a “big advance for people power” and that his “great passion is building the Big Society”. Much of the discourse around the Big Society is underpinned by the need for the government to reduce the budget deficit. The Opposition has certainly made this point, and certain individuals, notably Tessa Jowell, are also enraged about the lack of originality.

What does this mean to our public library service?

Public libraries are going through tough times, and this announcement raises broad questions about the public library mission. The DCMS review earlier in the year attempted to answer these questions and set out a framework, but the new government has tried to distance itself from this review, only acknowledging the relevance of a small number of points (library membership from birth, free internet access, co-location). Ed Vaizey, Culture Minister, has scrapped his election promise of setting up a Library Development Agency, and has instead set up a “support programme”. This will go ahead in conjunction with the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) and the Local Government Association (LGA), despite the DCMS announcement that the MLA is to be abolished within two years. So, this announcement only raises more questions about how important the government really feels libraries are.

Library advocate Tim Coates has set out some basic points as to what libraries should do to address these problems, including increasing opening hours, improving stock and making sure the library meets local needs. Meeting local needs is something that perhaps the Big Society will address.

So, will the Big Society benefit libraries?

It has been widely reported that the Big Society is essentially about having volunteers running public services. The main benefit of this will be reduced costs. According to the government, freeing up budget and cutting costs will allow libraries “to focus efforts on frontline, essential services and ensure greater value for money”.

The use of volunteers in libraries throws the professional status of librarianship in doubt. Many professional librarians argue that considerable formal education is needed and that this new initiative implies that someone with no experience can come in and effectively do the same job. Since these volunteers will be unpaid, how can we ensure reliability and quality? Who actually has time to volunteer for a day a week at their local library? We may end up with libraries opening less and not meeting local needs, all of which contradict the Big Society.

Volunteers in libraries are not uncommon though. The Summer Reading Challenge utilises many volunteers, this year more than ever before, and libraries find them useful. Young adults who have volunteered, after participating in the Challenge when they were younger, can encourage reader development in the current wave of children taking part.

Even before the Big Society was announced, many libraries across the country were closing, or were under review. The Big Society proposals set out plans for local citizens who oppose the closures to get involved, work in libraries and fill the gaps in local authority budgets. Perhaps a mixed economy of reliable, professional librarians and enthusiastic volunteers will reinvigorate public libraries. Let’s hope so.