Wasted attempt to create nationwide UK library website,

[John Green]

"The UK’s beleaguered public libraries have been let down by years of indecision and delays over how to spend millions of pounds in funding earmarked for a nationwide website.

This was among damning criticisms voiced on Saturday by campaigners who have lost patience with the government, the British Library and Arts Council England (ACE) over their longstanding failure to develop a nationwide scheme. The “Single Digital Presence” (SDP) – renamed LibraryOn – was meant to bring together public libraries in one website to enable the public to access collections across the country." www.theguardian.com/books/2023/dec/30/millions-wasted-on-attempt-to-create-nationwide-uk-library-website-campaigners-claim

[anthonybartley]

"The UK’s beleaguered public libraries have been let down by years of indecision and delays over how to spend millions of pounds in funding earmarked for a nationwide website."

We're going assume various entities have been paid during all these "years of indecision"

When there are millions of pounds floating around - there are lots of people who want a piece of that pie.

So, much like many a government funded project, the money is all gobbled up in administration fess, consultancy fees, legal fees, etc, etc. - until you reach that crucial moment when they realise they've siphoned off so much of the money for this 'grand project' that there's (drum roll) nothing left.

I would argue, does it really cost 'millions' to connect all these libraries? Surely a simple server with a front-end that connects to, I don't know... every library in the UK? And that's about it. You don't have to visit every single library, they just need to connect to you. If you really want to break it down - they're saying they need millions to pay someone (or a team, even) to write a program. A not very complicated program at that. 
 
But of course it isn't that easy! (see the first point about fees and where they all go)

"The British Library said that it was working towards unifying the digital offering of different library authorities. It said that LibraryOn had received about £3.8m funding since 2018, when the British Library took over management of the initiative."

Anyone have a transparency report where all these millions have been spent? I mean, these must be some seriously expensive consultants?

It's funny that we all complain about the recent PPE scandal - but these sums are being pissed down a drain every day, and unlike Mrs. Mone, it's all done perfectly legally. And people barely bat an eyelid at the news.

[John Wall]

A certain amount probably comes down to different cataloguing software - but price comparison websites navigate different suppliers’ websites.