'Last year volunteering through libraries rose by 8%. If we play it right, we’re at a stage of development where we could see a whole new wave of public involvement through joined up arts/library/reading work. But there’s also the terrifying possibility that we’re about to blow it, that we leave a library network unable to act. It’s more than the buildings, the library development staff are hugely at risk. Without their expertise, there can be no outreach, no informed support as people explore the world’s ideas, no reading activities to act as an inspiring springboard for volunteering.'
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