iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Tim Coates

Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Libraries might have been 'transformative' in the 1980's but they aren't any longer.

Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Honestly, the idea that public libraries have anything useful or of any kind to contribute to 'AI literacy' (whatever that might be) is very silly indeed. This is yet another plea to be allowed a share in a pot of government funding and it will be another waste of public money.

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Reposted by Tim Coates

Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

I wish you, your CEO, your president, your chair, all your trustees and whomever funds you, would tell you that this is not what public libraries are for.

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Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

No, no - this would be yet another waste of money. We did this 20 years ago and called ‘reader development’. It’s pointless. The priority for public libraries is to improve book collections

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Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

How many years will it take you to realise .... if you manage a public library: fill it with loads of interesting books; make plenty of spaces that people can read; and treat everybody with the dignity you would like for yourself That's what people, quite sensibly, expect a public library to offer

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Reposted by Tim Coates

Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

Unless the report shows clearly otherwise, the presumption is that these grants were a waste of money and that could have been anticipated and, consequently this type of small grant giving should cease.

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Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

The four questions for which numerical evidence is needed in this report are 1. How much time and money were spent applying for and awarding these grants? 2. What measure of value was applied? 3. What value was achieved? 4. How this ties to the 'LibraryOn' and 'Single Digital Presence' projects?

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Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

UK public libraries figures from the Arts Council 2025 -Number of adult active library users % population = 6% -Non library users % adult population = 94% -Events as % all library visits = 8% -Print books % all loans = 84% -eBook % all loans = 8% -audio % all loans = 8%

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Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Complete important truth from a bookseller in America

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Reposted by Tim Coates

Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

Forgive me, but this is not what libraries are for, not what librarians ought to be doing and not what public money for libraries should be spent upon.

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Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

If you know of any choirs or brass bands who would like to sing these, please pass them on.... words and scores available www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xRt... www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdQ1...

youtube.com

The Moors and the Sea Tim Coates

YouTube video by Henry Kilgannon

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Reposted by Tim Coates

Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

I watched for about 4 minutes and gave up. At that point I had no idea what this presentation is about or why I, or anyone, would want to listen to it. It would help if someone could give presenters a simple objective lesson in how to speak clearly and how to talk about their subject.

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Reposted by Tim Coates

Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

It would be much more helpful if @librariesconnected.bsky.social reported figures meaningfully and had a way of talking to councils about what they can do. (Aside from asking for money - which councils clearly don't want to or can't provide). There are many possibilities.

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Reposted by Tim Coates

Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

If councils really believed that the provision of digital services in public libraries was so important in their communities, they would find funds to pay for it - but, obviously - from what you say - they don't.

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Reposted by Tim Coates

Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

The obvious solution to this is for libraries not to attempt to provide a digital service for which they have no funding and in which they have no special expertise. They should concentrate on offering printed books and journals in a dignified safe place.

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Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

Dave Rowe deserves a lot of credit. He has been saying for a long time that the public library service seriously needs better data than it currently has. And he has done a lot to demonstrate how it can be achieved. The shame is that the situation has not improved, but that's not because of him.

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Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

One can understand that universities and research institutes want to 'keep track' of where titles are being held, but why would the ceo of @cilip.bsky.social applaud an initiative to 'clear shelf space'? The two projects might not go together.

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Reposted by Tim Coates

Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

I hope you don't mind if I post these again - perhaps you can pass them on?- looking for Yorkshire bands and choirs to sing them, possibly in the autumn. Words and scores, free from me www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xRt... www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdQ1...

youtube.com

The Moors and the Sea Tim Coates

YouTube video by Henry Kilgannon

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Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

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.

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Reposted by Tim Coates

Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

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...

youtube.com

The Moors and the Sea Tim Coates

YouTube video by Henry Kilgannon

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Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

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.

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Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

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...

nypl.org

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Reposted by Tim Coates

Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

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.

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Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

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

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Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

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 ...

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Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

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’

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Reposted by Tim Coates

Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

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

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Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 02/01/2026

Perhaps you could include the Year of Reading campaign?

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Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 02/01/2026

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.

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Reposted by Tim Coates

Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

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?

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Reposted by Tim Coates

Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

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.

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Reposted by Tim Coates

Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 27/12/2025

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.

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Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 20/12/2025

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.

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Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 20/12/2025

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

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Reposted by Tim Coates

Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 20/12/2025

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

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Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 20/12/2025

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

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Reposted by Tim Coates

Christian Algar @ceebarnacles.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

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.

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Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

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.

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Reposted by Tim Coates

Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

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.

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Reposted by Tim Coates

Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

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.

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Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

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.

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Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

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.

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Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

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.

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Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

I know that my view is deeply unpopular in the #library community but this initiative and approach to public libraries, described below, is consistently and persistently absolutely wrong for public libraries It will reduce numbers of users and eventually cause councils to cut funds in all countries

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Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

If you know of any Yorkshire choirs who might like to sing these - please pass them on; (words and scores available) www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xRt... www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdQ1...

youtube.com

The Moors and the Sea Tim Coates

YouTube video by Henry Kilgannon

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Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

Spell it out. In 12 years @dcmsgovuk.bsky.social @cilip.bsky.social @librariesconnected.bsky.social @artscouncilengland.bsky.social have not achieved - a Single Digital presence - a Digital book service - any increase in public library use and have watched funding fall and libraries close.

sky.social

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Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

Immense breakthrough in public libraries yesterday, in which we can see that the current arrangement of systems and suppliers produces completely wrong collections of books and puts the public off - and how it can be put right. In the US. Very pleased.

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Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

Two extremely good meetings with librarians in the US this week. Growing understanding that the most important asset are the book collections; and 'acquisitions' are not a filter of what publishers produce, but rather they are the way to make the library collection closer to what people want to read

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Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

Library professionals are really surprised when they are shown how their methods of collection management over a very long time have produced collections of books that are not those that people want to read.

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Tim Coates @tim-coates1.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

The big concern is that public libraries have lost their attraction for adults (they do lots for children). All the programs, services and makerspaces are hardly used. Use by adults has fallen apart over 15 years. They still have a good public reputation, but very few people use them.

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