The long tail in libraries

摘要

In recent times a number of significant papers and reports have been published which put the UK's public library service under the microscope. This activity reached its peak with the publication of a Commons Select Committee report in March (House of Commons Select Committee on Culture, Media and Sport, 2005). The committee, led by Gerald Kaufman and taking evidence from a wide range of "witnesses" reached conclusions and made recommendations that make interesting reading. From the perspective of the reference librarian it must be said from the outset that reference and information services do not figure large in the deliberations of the committee. This is a real shame. As one might expect the role of the public library is discussed in abundance. All the "good things" about the library such as reading, books, neutral space, the aspects that all librarians cherish and support, are mentioned. The reference library and the giving of information in response to an enquiry, is only briefly touched on. Perhaps it is implicit in every mention of the library but I rather think that the lending of books, and especially the performance measurement of this lending, is the key focus of public libraries at present.