I think we need to look at why though. What’s holding back fast delivery of a website/app that lists all events, searches all library catalogues, all e-services (and delivers content), lists all libraries, etc?

– Not much open data by library services
– No open integration points from library service systems

Both of those things are the direct responsibility of library services. In the second case via library tech suppliers, but those are procured by services. And few library services know or care about either of those, and don’t have the staff to do anything about them if they did.

It could be argued it should be the responsibility of Libraries Connected, given they’re an organisation directly made up of heads of services. But they’d likely argue that things like tech procurement on the part of library services are hardly part of their remit. National organisations have likely looked at these problems many times, but the sticking point still ends up being the digital situation within library services.

There’s no-one directly to blame, but the underlying fix is a huge culture change and a lot of digital training and recruitment across library services in the UK. But that would cost a lot of money. Assuming at least a few people per service, and a lot of training, it would need a dedicated investment of over £20 million for library staff per year. Perhaps then 3-5 years down the line we would start to see library digital services beginning to be where they need to be. And the delivery and maintenance of a national digital presence would be a lot more straightforward.

I’ve high hopes (and confidence) in the BL work. But I think the public should appreciate that we need to put a lot more money into libraries to get out good digital services.