Public libraries, arts and cultural policy in the UK
| Published date | 11 November 2019 |
| Pages | 570-582 |
| Date | 11 November 2019 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-04-2019-0022 |
| Author | Richard Fletcher |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Librarianship/library management,Hr in libraries,Library strategy,Library promotion |
Public libraries, arts and
cultural policy in the UK
Richard Fletcher
De Montfort University, Leicester, UK
Abstract
Purpose –Public libraries in the UK are increasingly exp ected to provide arts ac tivities and
events as part of their usu al operations. The purpo se of this paper is to summaris e recent policy
trends in this directi on from both the perspec tive of libraries’and the a rts sector. A touring theatre
project aimed at child ren and families is discu ssed in further detail t o examine some of the outc omes of
these policies.
Design/methodology/approach –The paper will present a brief history of policy developments and
debate in this area. Mixed method findings from the research element of “Among Ideal Friends”will be
discussed, having used surveys and interviews with audiences and librarians, geodemographic profiling, box
office records and library card data.
Findings –Public funding acros s both libraries and the arts has decreased a t a national and local level,
though both sectors are encouraged to work to gether to share expertise and community kn owledge.
Research limitations/implications –The primary funding for the project was an arts funding body.
While a holistic approach to evaluation was taken, this limited any specific focus that might have been given
to educational outcomes or cost-benefit analysis compared to other interventions.
Practical implications –Public libraries can se e the results and challe nges of a successful re gional
touring theatre proje ct for consideration in their own acti vity planning, especially those rel ated to families
and younger users.
Social implications –Libraries and Arts organisations have different priorities in regards to these areas.
Though co-operative, the situation is not without tension. The topic is illustrative of some wider debates
around cultural value, everyday participation and cultural democracy.
Originality/value –This paper offers a timely discussion of cultural policy in relation to libraries, e.g. The
Society of Chief Librarians “Universal Cultural Offer”(October 2017).
Keywords Children, Public library, Culture, Arts, Policy, Theatre
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Public libraries have always offered activities other than book loans and one
recent trend in the UK has been in the emphasis of a wider “cultural offer”, typically
oriented around the provision of arts activities and events. Commonly cited reasons for
this are the general pressures on public funding and changing public needs and
perceptions of libraries. Collaborations with other cultural sector organisations seem to
have increased.
This paper gives some policy background and a case study of one project in
theUK,deliveredbyTheSparkArtsforChildren(TheSpark)inassociationwitha
regional network of library authorities. The Spark is a registered charity, founded in
Leicester in 2003, originally delivering a two week summer arts festival before growing to
encompass other projects. They have programmed individual events in Leicester libraries
since 2008, leading to a 2013 project (“Tree Child”) that toured Leicester libraries and
helped establish ongoing artist-in-residence projects. In 2016, with the support of a
number of surrounding library authorities in the East Midlands (Leicestershire,
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire and Rutland) The Spark received Arts Council England
(ACE) Strategic Touring Funding in 2016 for “Among Ideal Friends”(AIF). The project
has been seen as successful, and funding was extended for a further three years
(2018–2021). The project was accompanied by a research and evaluation aspect for which
the author was commissioned.
Library Management
Vol. 40 No. 8/9, 2019
pp. 570-582
© Emerald PublishingLimited
0143-5124
DOI 10.1108/LM-04-2019-0022
Received 14 April 2019
Revised 13 June 2019
Accepted 14 June 2019
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
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