Boyd Tonkin: Flagships and hulks

The week in books

Potemkin villages?: Artists impression of Birmingham's new 'superlibrary' (S&X CEATIVE COMMUNICATIONS/HAYESDAVIDSON)

At long last, public libraries, booksellers and publishers have realised that they must all hang together – or else hang separately. A few weeks ago, this column suggested that (in the teeth of all conventional wisdom) book retailers might even set up shop in or near libraries, on the grounds that "reading hubs" which joined private purchase to public service might benefit both sides. So far, that idea is missing from the proposals unveiled this week for deeper collaboration between all three legs of the literary stool by the Reading Agency, as part of its "Reading Partners" programme. But plenty of others will take shape.

Publishers and booksellers have pledged firmer support, both practical and moral, to libraries, with a tilt towards a celebration of good news rather than a lament over the bad. For all the heavy toll of closures and reductions, 40 new or revamped library premises will open during 2012. This initiative will be trumpeting their assets. So publishers will send celebrity authors in to grace the arrival of new branches (Joanna Trollope in Mandsfield, or Ben Fogle in Canada Water), while retailers such as Waterstone's will hug the public library closer in their big promotions. All these liaisons will serve what Penguin publisher Joanna Prior frankly calls "a positive PR story about the importance of libraries".

Bleeding from current cuts, fearful of the future axe, libraries and their users do crave that story. And many proposals for cross-boundary co-operation are, let us say, seriously overdue. Yet how brave will these new "partners" sound when threats to libraries mean that their defenders have to take a stand against local or national politicians? Celebration, however sincere, will not obviate the need for tough campaigning of the sort that annoys the authorities. Much heavy lifting still goes on. At Westminster, the culture, media and sport select committee is now inviting submissions on library closures (evidence to be received by 12 January 2012; via cmsev@parliament.uk). An all-party parliamentary group on libraries will launch next month, with Swindon Conservative Justin Tomlinson as its chair.

Beware, especially, every bid to wield those 40 openings as proof that protesters have cried wolf over cuts. In many authorities, the campaigns turn specifically on plans to replace or downgrade local branches in favour of shiny town-centre monuments to municipal pride, located miles from users' homes. Take Birmingham, where the council has enlisted PR consultants to sell the glories of its new £190m super-library at Centenary Square, due to open in 2013, with its 10 floors, 35,000sq ft and gilded "Shakespeare pavilion" on the top.

It all sounds fantastic. But, last month, the city council also announced plans to save £2.3m on its community library service (current budget: £8.5m) by the time of the super-library's birth. Hard times mean agonising dilemmas, no doubt. Unlike other authorities, Birmingham seems to have no plans for branch closures at present, though opening hours and staff levels will have to shrink if those cuts are enforced.

So: shiny central flagship or thriving local network? In many places, a stark either/or option looms, with municipal egos often inclined towards the former choice. For this reason, sprinkle a bag of salt over that figure of "40 new libraries" whenever you see it. The service could no doubt do with some glamorous star sites – but not if they function as Potemkin villages to conceal a ruined hinterland. And, just in case you've forgotten the history of the Potemkin villages – please go and look it up at your local branch.

Homage to the wanderer

In a star-studded and multi-media event (would he have enjoyed it?), WG Sebald – see page 20 – will be remembered at "Max: A Celebration" on 14 December: the date of his death in 2001. It takes place at Wilton's Music Hall in Whitechapel, near the haunted grounds of Austerlitz. Speakers include AS Byatt, Andrew Motion and Marina Warner, as well as his publishers Christopher MacLehose and Bill Swainson, with Schubert songs from Ian Bostridge and an edited screening of Grant Gee's film Patience (After Sebald). Details at www.wiltons.org.uk

b.tonkin@independent.co.uk