On books and libraries

World Book and Copyright Day often invites us to reflect on what is happening around us with regard to books and libraries. Having spent many years of my life working in a library, I can confirm that books create a considerable demand for physical space.

Creating or finding additional space is a perpetual headache for libraries, both in Malta and abroad. Despite the multitude of formats available nowadays, printed books are still considered to be the most convenient form of reading (except for big tomes that become too heavy to hold). The printed word can be read anywhere: in an armchair, in bed, on a bus, practically everywhere, and it is still more convenient to carry around than any other technological form yet invented.

Books take up space not just because of their size and weight, but also because of the sheer quantity in which they are produced. Traditional books have been in existence for a very long time and, apart from the new titles published every year, there are older versions that continue to be published because they are still a source of enjoyment and instruction to readers.

New titles in the UK alone during 2005 were estimated to total about 206,000. This includes novels, more serious reading and technical books on anything ranging from statistics to legal and medical books. Just browsing through the review pages in the foreign papers gives an idea of the wide selection of titles being made available.

In Malta, some of the papers also carry book reviews and the contribution to the printed word seems to be growing every year. Writers in Malta come from a wide spectrum of society, ranging from prominent politicians, members of the clergy, the various professions and lay people.

Reading is a fascinating phenomenon. It goes together with writing and one depends on the other. Going through bibliographical tools, such as the British or American Books In Print, or on online bibliographic sources, one can note with amazement the wide variety of titles published. Every subject one can think of has found an author willing to write a book about it. Some books make it to the best-seller list, fewer still go on to further editions and printing, others are read by the few people who are really interested in the specialised subject they tackle, while many others see the light of day for a short time and are then consigned to the corners of life.

Books, it is said, reflect the society in which they are born.

The wide variety of published books creates a difficulty for us readers. Which book shall I choose? Many readers buy books that look interesting by reading their titles, the write-up on the cover or because they are attracted by the author.

It does not necessarily mean that all books bought are read. Many await their turn, either as an item in a library collection or else as part of a private collection. This accumulation can indeed lead to difficulties mentioned earlier regarding space availability.

When one mentions books and reading, libraries are inevitably mentioned as well. Libraries are considered an invaluable source in obtaining books for leisure, knowledge or information. Libraries too have been round for a very long time, even in Malta. The National Library has its origins in the 18th century. It was purpose-built as a library - a public one at that and to house the collections of the Knights - by the Order of St John. Our country also has a Central Public Library, which, in turn, manages a branch library system in the Maltese islands. Libraries in Malta and Gozo also include academic, school, religious and specialised books, ranging from specific collections to large collections with various resources.

One notes with a certain sadness, however, that libraries in Malta, especially the state library system, lack funds and enough professional staff to run them. One wonders how these libraries can tap into the thousands of new titles being published annually with the miserly budgets eked out to them. In most cases, acquiring a bibliographic source listing all titles would probably take up most of their allocation.

This scenario does not reflect well on the authorities concerned. Libraries are vital to the educational well-being of society and should be a primary source of access to books and other reading material in all forms. In many countries, people educate themselves or keep updated with what is going on around them by having access to well-run and well-stocked libraries. It is really a pity that, despite considerable spending on education, the authorities do not yet see the need to vote more money for libraries' budgets and to see that this is well spent.

Mr Grima is vice-chairman of MaLIA - the Malta Library and Information Association.