An evaluation of community-managed libraries in Liverpool

Date10 June 2019
Pages327-337
Published date10 June 2019
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1108/LM-09-2018-0072
AuthorCharlie Smith
Subject MatterLibrary & information science
An evaluation of
community-managed libraries
in Liverpool
Charlie Smith
Liverpool School of Art and Design,
Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
Abstract
Purpose Community libraries now constitute a significant proportion of library provision in the UK;
however, there is relatively little research on how the transfer to this model has affected those libraries and the
wider balance of provision. The purpose of this paper is to broaden the discourse and understanding about
the impact of changing libraries to community models.
Design/methodology/approach The paper provides a qualitative evaluation of all the libraries
transferred to community-managed models within a large city council region in the UK. Structured research
visits were made to appraise each library. These are discussed in the context of published literature and data,
both specific to the study area and nationally.
Findings Transferring the management of libraries to community organisations is often reactive and
perceived with negative associations. This study uncovers increases in use and diversification of services
following transfer; however, support from the local authority and the previous experience of managing
organisations are significant factors. The paper also reveals how the successful transfer of a library to a
community organisation led to more being moved out of local authority control, but that the support they
receive from the local authority can be inconsistent between them.
Originality/value The paper provides a study of community-managed libraries acrossa large city council
area, affording an in-depth understanding of their impact on overall provision over one region. It will be of
value to those involved in library management and service provision at both local and strategic levels,
including local authorities and community groups considering library transfer.
Keywords Library services, Public libraries, Community-managed libraries, Library provision,
Library support, Liverpool libraries
Paper type Viewpoint
Introduction
Public-sector funding cuts to libraries in the UK during recent years have substantially
altered the landscape of provision. Branch libraries have suffered particularly, with
numerous closures and transfers from local authority control (Anstice, n.d.), such that
community-managed libraries now constitute a notable proportion. Although the concept of
the community library has been established for many years, it has changed dramatically
due to a new political mindset and its regime of austerity. Previously associated with the
enrichment of services, the transfer of libraries to community organisations or volunteer
groups is now actively being encouraged at policy level, but it often generates widespread
criticism and consternation. Findlay-King et al. (2017, pp. 1-2) argue that the transfer of
services could be defined as austerity localism”–in which volunteers or community groups
fill the voids left by diminishing public provision; or it could be viewed as progressive
localism”–a movement that embraces new opportunities for community participation and
is more responsive to local needs.
This paper presents an evaluation of all five libraries transferred to community
organisations within one large city council area in the UK. It seeks to understand how
moving out of local authority control has affected service provision, the ways in which it has Library Management
Vol. 40 No. 5, 2019
pp. 327-337
© Emerald PublishingLimited
0143-5124
DOI 10.1108/LM-09-2018-0072
Received 12 September 2018
Revised 4 December 2018
Accepted 26 December 2018
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/0143-5124.htm
The author would like to thank the two reviewers for their insightful and constructive feedback, which
has been incorporated throughout the paper.
327
Community-
managed
libraries

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