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.
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
Empowering England’s next library leaders: #NewSkills for the Future Library Leader is built around two modules: Digital Skills & Futures Literacy. We want 1000 participants from England’s public libraries trained by March '26. #ACEFunded. Sign up today: www.cilip.org.uk/future-libraries
November 13, 2025 at 6:38 PM
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
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.
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.
November 6, 2025 at 10:23 AM
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.
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.
In the US, public libraries where I am working have plenty of money, but they are losing patrons simply because, by miles, they don't have the books people want, and books are, overwhelmingly, the reason for coming to the library. Digital books don't solve the problem.
The UK is a long way behind
The UK is a long way behind
November 6, 2025 at 10:20 AM
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.
In the US, public libraries where I am working have plenty of money, but they are losing patrons simply because, by miles, they don't have the books people want, and books are, overwhelmingly, the reason for coming to the library. Digital books don't solve the problem.
The UK is a long way behind
The UK is a long way behind
November 6, 2025 at 8:43 AM
In the US, public libraries where I am working have plenty of money, but they are losing patrons simply because, by miles, they don't have the books people want, and books are, overwhelmingly, the reason for coming to the library. Digital books don't solve the problem.
The UK is a long way behind
The UK is a long way behind
November 6, 2025 at 8:40 AM
In the US, public libraries where I am working have plenty of money, but they are losing patrons simply because, by miles, they don't have the books people want, and books are, overwhelmingly, the reason for coming to the library. Digital books don't solve the problem.
The UK is a long way behind
The UK is a long way behind
Nobody would say these are not important matters. But they are not what public libraries are for
If libraries don't concentrate firmly on their core purpose of providing what people want to read, in welcoming dignified spaces, they will continue to decline in use and in funding.
If libraries don't concentrate firmly on their core purpose of providing what people want to read, in welcoming dignified spaces, they will continue to decline in use and in funding.
December 18, 2024 at 8:54 AM
Nobody would say these are not important matters. But they are not what public libraries are for
If libraries don't concentrate firmly on their core purpose of providing what people want to read, in welcoming dignified spaces, they will continue to decline in use and in funding.
If libraries don't concentrate firmly on their core purpose of providing what people want to read, in welcoming dignified spaces, they will continue to decline in use and in funding.
Reposted by Tim Coates
The public library in town installed BOOTHS y'all, like restaurant booths, to sit at and read and write in and the vibes are IMMACULATE. I'm obsessed.
December 17, 2024 at 5:39 PM
The public library in town installed BOOTHS y'all, like restaurant booths, to sit at and read and write in and the vibes are IMMACULATE. I'm obsessed.
It’s more helpful to start with the truth . Public libraries in the North East are the least used. That is the information in the DCMS ‘Participation’ survey. There clearly are some serious problems
More brilliant flash talks about brilliant projects happening across libraries in the North East of England. Zine libraries, big community reads, green libraries and brilliant tech filled libraries. Great day at Newcastle City Library. Thanks everyone for sharing! @librariesconnected.bsky.social
December 17, 2024 at 8:19 AM
It’s more helpful to start with the truth . Public libraries in the North East are the least used. That is the information in the DCMS ‘Participation’ survey. There clearly are some serious problems
The measures for reforming English local government announced yesterday could provide the public library service with a much needed opportunity to revive and revitalise themselves
December 17, 2024 at 8:10 AM
The measures for reforming English local government announced yesterday could provide the public library service with a much needed opportunity to revive and revitalise themselves