International Network of Public Libraries, six volumes

Richard Proctor (Department of Information Studies University of Sheffield)

Library Management

ISSN: 0143-5124

Article publication date: 1 September 2001

49

Keywords

Citation

Proctor, R. (2001), "International Network of Public Libraries, six volumes", Library Management, Vol. 22 No. 6/7, pp. 324-327. https://doi.org/10.1108/lm.2001.22.6_7.324.2

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2001, MCB UP Limited


The Bertelsmann Foundation sponsored the International Network of Public Libraries to provide a forum to share information and expertise in order to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of public libraries. The Network consists of 16 experts from ten countries working together to look for solutions to management and service development problems. Their approach is highly practice‐oriented and these six volumes encapsulate their thinking in six key areas. Each volume identifies and expands on one or more problems or issues and through case studies and/or an analysis of various solutions draws conclusions and identifies lessons to be learned. The work comprises:

  • Volume 1. “Organisational change in a public library”, Nicola Campbell and Sue Sutherland. “Strategic management for better customer services in public libraries”, Kay Poustie.

  • Volume 2. “Quality management in public libraries”, Ute Klassen, Chris Wiersma. “Adjusting the product: the tools of marketing”, Thierry Giappiconi.

  • Volume 3. “Product‐oriented management in public libraries”, Arend Flemming.

  • Volume 4. “The organisation, performance and cost accounting system of Paderborn City Library”, Dieter Kranstedt and Jorg Wiemers.

  • Volume 5. “Fundraising: alternative financial support for public library services”, Madeleine Aalto and Trevor Knight.

  • Volume 6. “The role of public libraries in the media society”, Conny Ang. “Electronic media and the evaluation of its use: model solutions for changing and challenging times”, Robert E. Cannon.

The contributors to these volumes have clearly been given a brief to be concise and practical. Most contributions are short (50‐100 pages) and usually conclude with useful learning points and a bibliography.

The reader expecting new insights into issues may be disappointed by some of these volumes, and the models provided may not always translate easily across national boundaries. However, most contributions provide a very accessible summary of current thinking and good practice. Some contributions go beyond this. The contribution on quality management (Vol. 2) provides an interesting perspective on the practical difficulties of implementing a quality management system. Arend Flemming’s contribution on product‐oriented management (Vol. 3) includes some interesting thoughts on performance measurement and the integration of goals and objectives from the Local Authority through to library service point manager. This contribution also includes an interesting comparison of the contents of public library statistics from 19 countries (size of holdings and expenditure are the only two indicators common to all!). Volume 5 on fundraising is particularly useful, deliberately taking an international perspective and listing pros and cons of different options gleaned from experiences in many different countries.

One of the key needs today is a reliable medium for the communication of innovation and good practice in public library services. Practitioners, in general, are too busy to publish and are often unaware of the value to others of their experiences. The International Network of Pubic Libraries goes some way to addressing this need to share good practice. It is, however, disappointing that the information is only available at a cost; £82.50 per set is a lot to pay and will deter many potential purchasers. And these are only the first six “models”. The list of all the key topics identified by the network, in the foreword to each volume, implies there at least six more to come. The Website for the Network at http://www.stiftung.bertelsmann.de/project.cfm? lan=en 420&aid=1104 says that these reports are available to download for free but I could only find the executive summaries. The paper copies are, however, available separately and if your public library authority is treating any of the issues covered as a priority then the investment in the appropriate volumes would be well worth while.

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