Public libraries

We are currently visiting Malta for the first time on holiday. As librarians working in the UK we like to visit local libraries wherever we visit and today we went to the main public library in Valetta.

The library is housed in a handsome building and has lots of potential for development and public use. However, we were surprised with the age of the library book stock. There appeared to have been little investment in library books since the late 1970s and use of the library currently appears low - books are not being borrowed and very few people were browsing the shelves during our visit. We both feel very strongly that a good public library service is a cornerstone of both civic values and lifelong learning.

In the light of the 2007 Budget statement in which the Prime Minister said that "we expect nothing but the best education for our children" we would like to think that this principle will be extended to an improvement in public library service funding. As a proportion of government spending, library services are a light burden on the public purse and yet they can provide a value much beyond the original investment as successive generations gain the love of reading and a sense of belonging through membership.

We hope that increased funding and support will be found in the near future so that the people of Malta can have the public library service they deserve.