Welsh Language Material
We have received one of two "concerned" enquiries about Welsh books recently. That is actually very encouraging as it demonstrates that some of our stock changes have been noticed, albeit to raise unnecessary concerns.
It seems worthwhile to take the opportunity to address that underlying concern about stock here and, hopefully, raise a number of related issues "on the record"
The basic re-assurance needed by those who are concerned about our commitment to Welsh language material comes from the Welsh Assembly Government standard and target for the provision of material in Welsh. We have and will meet that standard, but, at least in the short-term, have been directing those resources into particular areas as part of a wider strategy.
Irrespective of that national standard, we have a duty and a commitment to provide material that our community needs and wants to read and that applies to material in all languages - including Welsh.
Here is an extarct of one of the replies to the consultation,
"Dwi'n hapus iawn gyda'r gwasanaeth...Mae'r staff yn gyfeillgar ac yn gymwynasgar iawn hefyd. Mae'r llyfrau yn dda iawn ac, yn y bon, yn gyfoes. Dwi'n gobeithio bydd y llyrgell yn mynd o nerth i nerth yn y dyfodol"
Background
All stock is affected by the need to rebuild collections and change the way we manage stock and demand post-computerisation. The Welsh language material is no different to that, but there are community and historical issues that have made this area more problematic.
Some of the issues are difficult to face up to if you are committed to promote the Welsh language rather than just being a reader, but - if you are in that position - you must realise that part of our role is to support you in making Welsh material more accessible and better used in the community. However, we must be realistic about where we are coming from and where we are trying to go.
Negatives:
There is little evidence of Welsh readership in this area and the gradual loss of those who were able and willing to read many of the traditional Welsh texts. This has lead to many new books being left unread.
Some well-meaning people have been borrowing Welsh books to boost the numbers of items borrowed, but not actually reading them
Subsidised Welsh publishing makes many titles easily affordable (for those who want them) and gives them no reason to borrow them
There are general issues with the choice and range of material available to Welsh readers.
The combination of no demand and budgetary and space issues gradually forced most of the Welsh material for adults out of the branch libraries
What are we doing?
We are committed to providing what people need and want to read.
We are more than happy to listen to stock suggestions
We have developed a Welsh Language collection at Dowlais Library to be the bedrock of lending and reference services - allowing us to concentrate on material for learners and more popular titles elsewhere
We have an online catalogue and quick and easy access to titles
We have online access to GWALES and other strong lists of available material
What we will always do:
We will continue to consult with user and non-users
We will continue to try to be innovative and flexible
We will continue to buy and promote new stock
However, there is a real challenge in this work
While stock is bought for many different reasons and needs, no librarian wants see it wasting away on the shelves without any realistic prospect of being used.
While we have a statutory responsibility to support and promote Welsh language material we also have a responsibility to be efficient and have pressing needs for valuable resources.
In those local people capable of reading Welsh material seem not to read, or chose to buy, we will need to review our current allocation of stock and space and may well reduce provision to match demand in future
In some respects - as it should be for a service that reflects its community and individual needs - is really up to you what happens next. You need to use the books, ask for what you need, tell and encourage your friends to use us. We’ll do our part to provide a Welsh language service, but we need someone to serve!
You read the books and we provide more if they exist - it really is a simple as that.