Report on the State of Maltese Libraries

Citation

Freeman, M. (2006), "Report on the State of Maltese Libraries", New Library World, Vol. 107 No. 11/12, pp. 561-562. https://doi.org/10.1108/03074800610713370

This timely and far ranging report from the nation's primary LIS professional body is the first truly comprehensive and up‐to‐date survey of Malta's total library provision across all sectors. It has been a mammoth and ambitious undertaking carried out solely by volunteers and, for the first time, a clear, over‐arching account of the present library and information services provision in Malta emerges in a lucid and organized manner. Along with MaLIA's recently published Register of Qualified Librarians in Malta, this well laid out and readable document should provide local and central government and all LIS authorities with a sound and substantial base for the improvement and development of libraries in all sectors of Maltese Life. Certainly, there is need of improvement in Maltese libraries – the level of apathy and disinterest from Government concerning library provision and use is a national scandal. When a branch public library can receive a derisory Lm 45 (£60) as its annual budget, then clearly something is awry and this report outlines well the erratic and archaic funding of libraries in Malta. As is to be expected, the university level sector fares reasonably well compared to other areas but there are still problems within such areas as budgeting and inter‐library co‐operation.

The report's coverage is good and well thought out, ranging from the National Library in Valletta through to special libraries and the public library sector. The school library arena is well covered (although it is a great pity that the Malta School Libraries Association did not contribute) and there were good, pertinent things noted about the Malta Schools Library Service. MaLIA's well considered stance on the need for an up‐to‐date Malta National Bibliography and the pressing need of the National Library for proper funding appropriate to a National Library are good, rational points which, hopefully, the Government will accept. The report formulates several crucial and sensible recommendations, such as proper collection development, appropriate and modern performance indicators and standards and greater efforts by libraries to “reach out” to their clientele, both actual and potential.

Hopefully, Malta's recent membership of the EU will bring substantial benefits for libraries in its train. Certainly, the lack of modern library standards must be addressed, along with other burning issues such as funding and the status and training of librarians, if Maltese libraries and librarianship are to progress and flourish; good libraries are key factors in the educational, societal and economic life of the nation. It is time for a Government Commission on the State of Maltese Libraries – MaLIA's valuable report has shown the way forward. All in all, a commendable effort by a small, lively LIS professional body leading, hopefully, to greater things. A useful document for LIS professionals, administrators and politicians interested in library development and international librarianship to read and digest.