Tim Coates
@tim-coates1.bsky.social
Tim Coates is a former head of Waterstones and other major book companies. He is a consultant for public and academic libraries in the US and the UK and the author of the Freckle reports on public libraries. He is a published writer of English history.
Library 'consortia' are used to share books between libraries, for the benefit of readers. However, we have found that, on balance, the cost is such that it is mostly cheaper and quicker for the library to purchase new copies from their supplier than to have them transferred from somewhere else.
Join @amlibraries.bsky.social for the next AL Live, “Pathways and Specialties: Choosing the right LIS program" on Tues., Feb. 3 at 2 p.m. Eastern. Register for FREE at bit.ly/4pFB13R.
Sponsored by Old Dominion University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and University of Washington.
Sponsored by Old Dominion University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and University of Washington.
January 29, 2026 at 9:13 AM
Library 'consortia' are used to share books between libraries, for the benefit of readers. However, we have found that, on balance, the cost is such that it is mostly cheaper and quicker for the library to purchase new copies from their supplier than to have them transferred from somewhere else.
Reposted by Tim Coates
I'm always trying to find a choir (and small brass group) to sing these. The 7 parts of 'Moors and the Sea' are: Pilgrimage of Grace; Danby Beacon; Wade's Causeway; All through the night; Rievaulx; Egton Bridge; Scarborough Castle. Words from English poems Scores free
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xRt...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xRt...
The Moors and the Sea Tim Coates
YouTube video by Henry Kilgannon
www.youtube.com
January 25, 2026 at 11:01 AM
I'm always trying to find a choir (and small brass group) to sing these. The 7 parts of 'Moors and the Sea' are: Pilgrimage of Grace; Danby Beacon; Wade's Causeway; All through the night; Rievaulx; Egton Bridge; Scarborough Castle. Words from English poems Scores free
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xRt...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xRt...
For public libraries, these handouts are always a complete waste of money. They are given without purpose or strategy and never produce anything worthwhile.
Public libraries in England already receive £700m every year.
Public libraries in England already receive £700m every year.
Good to hear there'll be detail tomorrow on £114m Arts Everywhere Fund, inc. for public libraries, British Library North, National Poetry Centre & other local & regional projects, beyond London, a drop in the ocean though given what's happened since 2010 www.artsindustry.co.uk/news/3457-ca...
Cash boost for crumbling museums and theatres
Arts Industry - news and insight from the world of arts and culture.
www.artsindustry.co.uk
January 20, 2026 at 7:15 PM
For public libraries, these handouts are always a complete waste of money. They are given without purpose or strategy and never produce anything worthwhile.
Public libraries in England already receive £700m every year.
Public libraries in England already receive £700m every year.
New York Public Library is the largest public library service in the world
Here is the recent statement of strategy they have published
www.nypl.org/sites-drupal...
Here is the recent statement of strategy they have published
www.nypl.org/sites-drupal...
January 17, 2026 at 4:49 PM
New York Public Library is the largest public library service in the world
Here is the recent statement of strategy they have published
www.nypl.org/sites-drupal...
Here is the recent statement of strategy they have published
www.nypl.org/sites-drupal...
Reposted by Tim Coates
There are those, both here and in the United States, who struggle to persuade both library professionals & politicians who fund them, that the value of a local public library is its provision of reading material and a place to read, for local people. This ridiculous announcement hurts in every way.
January 13, 2026 at 6:16 PM
There are those, both here and in the United States, who struggle to persuade both library professionals & politicians who fund them, that the value of a local public library is its provision of reading material and a place to read, for local people. This ridiculous announcement hurts in every way.
The truth is that what this photograph shows is that Leigh #library @artscouncilengland.bsky.social improvement fund @librariesconnected.bsky.social Wigan Council have wasted an immense amount of precious money, allocated to public libraries - on a fighting ring .... @margarethodge.bsky.social
I cannot conceive how anyone would boast about this photograph of a public library. It is little wonder that so few people use them these days ...
Upgrades to Leigh #Library thanks to the @artscouncilengland.bsky.social Libraries Improvement Fund mean it can shift 'effortlessly' from quiet study space to a vibrant performance venue.
Service Manager for Wigan Libraries Craig Jones tells us more.
www.librariesconnected.org.uk/news/year-tr...
Service Manager for Wigan Libraries Craig Jones tells us more.
www.librariesconnected.org.uk/news/year-tr...
January 13, 2026 at 5:25 PM
The truth is that what this photograph shows is that Leigh #library @artscouncilengland.bsky.social improvement fund @librariesconnected.bsky.social Wigan Council have wasted an immense amount of precious money, allocated to public libraries - on a fighting ring .... @margarethodge.bsky.social
I cannot conceive how anyone would boast about this photograph of a public library. It is little wonder that so few people use them these days ...
Upgrades to Leigh #Library thanks to the @artscouncilengland.bsky.social Libraries Improvement Fund mean it can shift 'effortlessly' from quiet study space to a vibrant performance venue.
Service Manager for Wigan Libraries Craig Jones tells us more.
www.librariesconnected.org.uk/news/year-tr...
Service Manager for Wigan Libraries Craig Jones tells us more.
www.librariesconnected.org.uk/news/year-tr...
January 13, 2026 at 1:36 PM
I cannot conceive how anyone would boast about this photograph of a public library. It is little wonder that so few people use them these days ...
Besides - the numbers of people attending adult events in libraries in the UK is very small indeed - it would put anyone off funding a public library . The numbers are in the DCMS ‘participation survey’
So the way to measure a library's social value is "speaking with users, staff and partners and then looking at things such as running costs, event attendance and visitor figures" I have nothing against that, but surely issue figures too? We are still concerned with books no?
January 9, 2026 at 6:38 PM
Besides - the numbers of people attending adult events in libraries in the UK is very small indeed - it would put anyone off funding a public library . The numbers are in the DCMS ‘participation survey’
Reposted by Tim Coates
As long as @librariesconnected.bsky.social keep endlessly reciting this kind of social nonsense, the more they lose any value or influence they could have over bringing improvement to libraries. Margaret Hodge @margarethodge.bsky.social is right. It's time to stop this
January 9, 2026 at 11:29 AM
As long as @librariesconnected.bsky.social keep endlessly reciting this kind of social nonsense, the more they lose any value or influence they could have over bringing improvement to libraries. Margaret Hodge @margarethodge.bsky.social is right. It's time to stop this
Perhaps you could include the Year of Reading campaign?
Happy New Year to #Librarians and friends of libraries!
We know you will already be deep in planning for the rest of 2026 but if you need added inspiration take a look at our Universal #Library Offers calendar.
www.librariesconnected.org.uk/universal-li...
We know you will already be deep in planning for the rest of 2026 but if you need added inspiration take a look at our Universal #Library Offers calendar.
www.librariesconnected.org.uk/universal-li...
January 2, 2026 at 10:44 AM
Perhaps you could include the Year of Reading campaign?
The serious movement to improve the quality of book shops that happened in the 1980's was brave, honourable, well conducted and has proved enduring and successful. It took place in many countries and has been sustained, in the US as Barnes and Noble, in the UK as Waterstones.
January 2, 2026 at 9:04 AM
The serious movement to improve the quality of book shops that happened in the 1980's was brave, honourable, well conducted and has proved enduring and successful. It took place in many countries and has been sustained, in the US as Barnes and Noble, in the UK as Waterstones.
Reposted by Tim Coates
I don't think 'Empowering Impact' - whatever it is supposed to mean in English - is a very clear or inspirational slogan. Can you think of something else that might not just work for sledgehammers?
January 1, 2026 at 1:01 PM
I don't think 'Empowering Impact' - whatever it is supposed to mean in English - is a very clear or inspirational slogan. Can you think of something else that might not just work for sledgehammers?
Reposted by Tim Coates
I don't agree - it is the reduction on emphasis on books that has caused the very serious decline in the use of public libraries over a long term. A library IS a place for books, but the number of books in US public libraries has fallen by 160m in 12 years.
December 31, 2025 at 9:04 AM
I don't agree - it is the reduction on emphasis on books that has caused the very serious decline in the use of public libraries over a long term. A library IS a place for books, but the number of books in US public libraries has fallen by 160m in 12 years.
Reposted by Tim Coates
I think there are reasons why people have lost trust in public libraries and it would be good if both the profession and those who give them support (like Sage) began to understand what these reasons are and address them properly. Libraries are not universally good.
December 27, 2025 at 5:28 PM
I think there are reasons why people have lost trust in public libraries and it would be good if both the profession and those who give them support (like Sage) began to understand what these reasons are and address them properly. Libraries are not universally good.
There could be no better case study of failure in government than 'the single digital presence' for public libraries. Government paid for and asked 'the sector' to devise a sensible plan. Many millions were spent, but all the sector bodies ensured was that it wouldn't affect them.
These evasions by @louiscoiffait-gunn.bsky.social @cilip.bsky.social @librariesconnected.bsky.social and @ih1968.bsky.social are missing the central point of the role of both the organisations which they are trying to defend
It is shown here
It is shown here
December 20, 2025 at 6:25 PM
There could be no better case study of failure in government than 'the single digital presence' for public libraries. Government paid for and asked 'the sector' to devise a sensible plan. Many millions were spent, but all the sector bodies ensured was that it wouldn't affect them.
This graph shows failure, complete, if the service you are paid to provide is increasingly ignored by the public, as it is.
Yet in government, that doesn't seem to matter if your friends in the department that pays for you, will support and excuse all the shortcomings - as they do. ACE and the DCMS
Yet in government, that doesn't seem to matter if your friends in the department that pays for you, will support and excuse all the shortcomings - as they do. ACE and the DCMS
These evasions by @louiscoiffait-gunn.bsky.social @cilip.bsky.social @librariesconnected.bsky.social and @ih1968.bsky.social are missing the central point of the role of both the organisations which they are trying to defend
It is shown here
It is shown here
December 20, 2025 at 5:52 PM
This graph shows failure, complete, if the service you are paid to provide is increasingly ignored by the public, as it is.
Yet in government, that doesn't seem to matter if your friends in the department that pays for you, will support and excuse all the shortcomings - as they do. ACE and the DCMS
Yet in government, that doesn't seem to matter if your friends in the department that pays for you, will support and excuse all the shortcomings - as they do. ACE and the DCMS
Reposted by Tim Coates
These evasions by @louiscoiffait-gunn.bsky.social @cilip.bsky.social @librariesconnected.bsky.social and @ih1968.bsky.social are missing the central point of the role of both the organisations which they are trying to defend
It is shown here
It is shown here
December 20, 2025 at 5:34 PM
These evasions by @louiscoiffait-gunn.bsky.social @cilip.bsky.social @librariesconnected.bsky.social and @ih1968.bsky.social are missing the central point of the role of both the organisations which they are trying to defend
It is shown here
It is shown here
It's interesting to explain exactly what @cilip.bsky.social have got wrong for the benefit of @louiscoiffait-gunn.bsky.social . They
-allowed 'localism' to destroy the effect of the 1964 Act
-failed ever to understand the right balance between technology and printed books
-neglected training
-allowed 'localism' to destroy the effect of the 1964 Act
-failed ever to understand the right balance between technology and printed books
-neglected training
CILIP have a nerve to think they have any clout after standing by all the while the destruction of public library infrastructure has been rampant.
December 20, 2025 at 9:15 AM
It's interesting to explain exactly what @cilip.bsky.social have got wrong for the benefit of @louiscoiffait-gunn.bsky.social . They
-allowed 'localism' to destroy the effect of the 1964 Act
-failed ever to understand the right balance between technology and printed books
-neglected training
-allowed 'localism' to destroy the effect of the 1964 Act
-failed ever to understand the right balance between technology and printed books
-neglected training
Reposted by Tim Coates
CILIP have a nerve to think they have any clout after standing by all the while the destruction of public library infrastructure has been rampant.
December 19, 2025 at 9:29 PM
CILIP have a nerve to think they have any clout after standing by all the while the destruction of public library infrastructure has been rampant.
The arrogance of this statement from @librariesconnected.bsky.social @ih1968.bsky.social is beyond belief.They have been reviewed by a serious, experienced senior politician, with ministerial experience in the sector - and - without evidence except their own opinion, they tell her she is wrong.
Complete nonsense. @margarethodge.bsky.social is absolutely right to observe that the 'Development role' for public libraries (and bodies like @librariesconnected.bsky.social) have been an ineffective waste of money for at least a decade. If there is to be a central sector, it needs new direction.
December 19, 2025 at 12:39 PM
The arrogance of this statement from @librariesconnected.bsky.social @ih1968.bsky.social is beyond belief.They have been reviewed by a serious, experienced senior politician, with ministerial experience in the sector - and - without evidence except their own opinion, they tell her she is wrong.
Reposted by Tim Coates
Complete nonsense. @margarethodge.bsky.social is absolutely right to observe that the 'Development role' for public libraries (and bodies like @librariesconnected.bsky.social) have been an ineffective waste of money for at least a decade. If there is to be a central sector, it needs new direction.
December 19, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Complete nonsense. @margarethodge.bsky.social is absolutely right to observe that the 'Development role' for public libraries (and bodies like @librariesconnected.bsky.social) have been an ineffective waste of money for at least a decade. If there is to be a central sector, it needs new direction.
Reposted by Tim Coates
That just shows that whoever was at the 'library sector round table' with Mrs Hodge and the review team, had no contact with the reality of what has happened to public libraries over the past 20 years
She (Mrs Hodge) does have, because, for a while, she was the minister responsible.
She (Mrs Hodge) does have, because, for a while, she was the minister responsible.
December 16, 2025 at 5:46 PM
That just shows that whoever was at the 'library sector round table' with Mrs Hodge and the review team, had no contact with the reality of what has happened to public libraries over the past 20 years
She (Mrs Hodge) does have, because, for a while, she was the minister responsible.
She (Mrs Hodge) does have, because, for a while, she was the minister responsible.
In trying to help public libraries reputation among local people, we have stopped using Dewey classifications that mean nothing to most patrons and instead encourage library staff to shelve books by looking at them properly and using simple BISAC book industry names to display them in a helpful way.
From drafting clear policies to rallying champions and protecting academic freedom for library workers, these Intellectual Freedom sessions provide the grounding you need to navigate your library's challenges with confidence and clarity.
#ALAVirtual26 Claim your spot now! https://bit.ly/3KGo4Ze
#ALAVirtual26 Claim your spot now! https://bit.ly/3KGo4Ze
December 12, 2025 at 8:32 AM
In trying to help public libraries reputation among local people, we have stopped using Dewey classifications that mean nothing to most patrons and instead encourage library staff to shelve books by looking at them properly and using simple BISAC book industry names to display them in a helpful way.
This is complete total nonsense. Within it are all the reasons why hardly anyone uses public libraries any more
There is no merit in 'surprising you' - what they should aim to do is to provide the service that you expect in a welcoming and efficient way.
There is no merit in 'surprising you' - what they should aim to do is to provide the service that you expect in a welcoming and efficient way.
Why your local [public] library might surprise you www.artscouncil.org.uk/blog/why-you... great piece from Luke Burton of The Arts Council
Why your local library might surprise you
Luke Burton blogs about why hyper-local libraries might surprise communities with what they have to offer.
www.artscouncil.org.uk
December 11, 2025 at 5:44 PM
This is complete total nonsense. Within it are all the reasons why hardly anyone uses public libraries any more
There is no merit in 'surprising you' - what they should aim to do is to provide the service that you expect in a welcoming and efficient way.
There is no merit in 'surprising you' - what they should aim to do is to provide the service that you expect in a welcoming and efficient way.
This report has no evidence at all. It ends up as the faux sociology we have seen from #libraries for over 20 years and which has ruined public libraries in many countries. Very few people in the UK, Germany the US and others actually go to libraries. For that there is a lot of evidence.
14 European case studies on the multi-faceted role of public libraries for;
- including everybody
- democracy & engagement
- economic resilience
cordis.europa.eu/article/id/4... CORDIS
- including everybody
- democracy & engagement
- economic resilience
cordis.europa.eu/article/id/4... CORDIS
December 11, 2025 at 12:22 PM
This report has no evidence at all. It ends up as the faux sociology we have seen from #libraries for over 20 years and which has ruined public libraries in many countries. Very few people in the UK, Germany the US and others actually go to libraries. For that there is a lot of evidence.