MaLIA, the Malta Library and Information Association, notes with satisfaction the editorial of March 7 highlighting the importance of books and libraries as one important cornerstone for an educated and informed citizenship. MaLIA too has lobbied to put in place the essential ingredients that would attract people to use libraries and read. These include:
• Location. Our latest drive in 2009 was to relocate the Central Public Library to the City Gate area. This was an idea taken on by Renzo Piano, no less, in his initial plans. For some reason the government decided to drop the idea. An alternative suitable location that merits study would be the old food market behind the palace, suitably converted. This would have the added advantage of being close to the National Library and the main shopping areas of Valletta.
• Welcoming and attractive modern premises suitably furnished and that appeal to all age groups.
• Appropriate collections, in print, electronic and audiovisual formats, with the necessary equipment and services to meet the needs of all potential library users from toddlers to senior citizens, from users that turn to libraries for study and research to those who come for leisure reading or to use IT equipment. In this regard we support the recent initiatives taken to replace and augment existing old collections.
• Suitably qualified and constantly trained professional staff especially at front desks. It is this staff who will ultimately translate any investments made into a cost-effective service suitable to the needs of the public.
• The right legal frame-work, librarian education and published library standards to ensure that over the years there is a continuing progress in the area of libraries, library practice and the librarian profession.
• The right financial backing to enable the implementation of the measures contemplated in the Library Act.
MaLIA looks forward to the enactment of the new Library Act which it sees as an impor-tant step in the right direction and to assist in making things happen.