Are community-managed libraries effective?
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-11-2016-0081 |
| Published date | 13 June 2017 |
| Date | 13 June 2017 |
| Pages | 226-236 |
| Author | Michael John Cavanagh |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Librarianship/library management,HR in libraries,Library strategy,Library promotion |
Are community-managed
libraries effective?
Michael John Cavanagh
Department of Information Studies, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, UK
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to explore the effectiveness of community-managed libraries (CMLs)
in England. It traces their history and considers the evidence base in respect of their effectiveness.
Design/methodology/approach –Through quantitative research (web surveys) with volunteers and chief
librarians, the study establishes: the range of services being delivered; the perceived need for and extent of
training given to volunteers; the criteria through which public library effectiveness can be measured, and the
extent to which CMLs are able to deliver against these criteria.
Findings –The study found widespread variation in the range of services offered and the extent of training
received. Further, it found significant differences of opinion and priorities between the research groups in
respect of the relative importance of various effectiveness criteria and the ability of CMLs to deliver against
these criteria. The evidence from this study points to a fragmented and inconsistent network of volunteer
delivered libraries. A key reason is the variation in approach and level of support from local authorities.
The paper concludes that the lack of national standards and consistently applied professional advice could be
contributing to this variation and points to the Welsh Public Libraries approach, based on their standards
framework, as a model that could be replicated.
Originality/value –These findings have implications for policy makers in respect of the case made for the
reintroduction of a standard/quality framework to reduce service variability. The findings will also be of
value to local authorities that are considering implementing a community-managed library model.
Keywords Effectiveness, Volunteering, Volunteers, Performance, Public libraries,
Community-managed libraries
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
In recent years, following significant cutbacks in public spending, a growing number of
local authorities in England have sought to outsource the delivery of branch libraries to the
third sector.
These “community-managed libraries”(CMLs) are delivered by volunteers rather than
paid staff, though most benefit from varying levels of professional support from their local
County Library Service.
The concept can be somewhat emotive as it is viewed by some members of the Library
and Information profession as a challenge to the very necessity of professional librarianship.
Moreover, replacing paid staff with volunteers is widely considered in the literature to be
bad practice as it can be seen as an exploitation of the volunteer and a deprival of someone’s
livelihood (Williams, 2012).
Arguments have been made on both sides about the efficacy of this approach. KPMG
(Downey et al., 2010, p. 16) stated in 2010 that libraries could be better run by volunteers,
while The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals have consistently
maintained the position that core library provision should be delivered through paid staff
(Use of volunteers in public libraries, 2010).
In light of this debate, this paper contests that the arguments cited on both sides cannot
be sound foundations for the setting of policy with regards to the use and management of
CMLs. There is a need for grounded research that examines the effectiveness of CMLs, and
this study aims to contribute to that process.
Library Management
Vol. 38 No. 4/5, 2017
pp. 226-236
© Emerald PublishingLimited
0143-5124
DOI 10.1108/LM-11-2016-0081
Received 6 November 2016
Revised 28 January 2017
Accepted 7 February 2017
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/0143-5124.htm
The research for this paper was financially supported by Lincolnshire County Council Library Service.
An early version of this paper was made available online on Leon’s Library Blog in 2014.
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