Public libraries and archives deserve more attention – AD

The Greens say public libraries and archives should be given more attention and promotion.

27 February 2013, 12:00am
by Staff Reporter

1 min read

Alternattiva Demokratika in parliament would ensure that public libraries and archives are given the attention they deserve and promote community building.

AD chairperson Michael Briguglio said that more public funds should be provided for Malta's public libraries and all other government-funded libraries such as the National Library, the University of Malta library the MCAST library and local public libraries.

He added: "Local public libraries should be promoted as community centres in a context of everyday democracy. All libraries should have internet access. Their architecture, furnishing, equipment and collections should be accessible and inviting to members of the community. Professionalization, standardization and inter-connectivity should characterize all libraries and archival work."

"There should be a national records management for public service data. National archive holdings should be kept in a state-of-the-art centre which also caters for archives of the National Memory Project," Briguglio said.

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ALTERNATTIVA IS VERY RIGHT. CUTTING STRINGS AND PLACING NEW COMMEMORATIVE STONES DOES NOT HELP OUR LIBRARIES AND ARCHIVES. THEY NEED STRONG LEADERSHIP, FORESIGHT AND RESOLVE TO PRESERVE AND CONSERVE THE MALTESE IMPRINT FOR OUR FUTURE. THE ARCHIVES IN PARTICULAR NEED A MUCH BIGGER SPACE, A MUCH MORE DEDICATED STAFF AND NEW DEDICATED PREMISES, APART FROM FUNDS TO PRESERVE THE MILLIONS OF DOCUMENTS THEY NEED TO PROTECT FOR OUR CHILDREN'S FUTURE AND OUR HISTORY. I IMPLORE THE PL TO TAKE NOTE AND PLACE IN THEIR LIST OF PRIORITIES WHEN THEY ARE ELECTED NEXT MONTH BY THE PEOPLE OF MALTA.