Following the government's announcement that the MLA will be wound up by April 2012, its chair Sir Andrew Motion and chief executive Roy Clare pledged a smooth and orderly transition to deliver the best possible future for museums, libraries and archives across England
The organisation has also called for more creative and systematic planning to ensure the public get the most out of the sector.
Together, Motion and Clare said: "Stormy seas call for cool heads and steady hands. The team in the MLA have worked to develop the capacity of the organisation since 2007.
“Now, faced with an unforeseen degree of economic pressure, government has chosen to balance the books and to prioritise the rationalisation of its existing cultural agencies as a contribution.
"As a result we will work methodically and calmly to continue to deliver a vibrant and effective expert service for the public who rightly expect excellent, sustainable museums, libraries and record offices in their local neighbourhoods.”
As a response, the Society of Chief Librarians (SCL) has said that it will continue to work closely with the MLA and other sector partners during in this time of transition, and will also continue to work in partnership on joint projects and initiatives such as the Library Support Programme.
According to SCL, this is a time of significant transformation for the public library sector, which also presents great opportunities for public library services across the UK. SCL welcomed the opportunity to meet with the various library stakeholders to discuss how the transformation process in the library sector will be led in the future and about how the MLA’s current functions, such as improvement, policy and research roles, will be devolved to other existing organisations.
Ed Vaizey, Minister for Culture, said: "Sir Andrew Motion and Roy Clare have shown great leadership of the MLA and have made great strides in the last two years to streamline the organisation, significantly improving efficiency and effectiveness. However, there is now an opportunity to integrate Renaissance and the other important functions of the MLA into the wider cultural framework.”
Motion and Clare said: “Our accent is on strong strategic leadership; access to expert advice which can help people to weather the effects of recession; strong investment programmes; joining up across the network; good links into local government, and provision of resources that demonstrate good practice. We are committed to arguing for these to be reflected clearly in the new arrangements.
They said that the organisation is currently engaged with local authorities and independent museums, libraries and archives all over the country. “We are helping them to weather the storm of recession and funding cuts and to emerge stronger and more sustainable."
MLA is working with local government and with professional colleagues in the Local Government Association, Arts Council England, Heritage Lottery Fund and a number of leading museums and other key organisations.
Motion and Clare said: "Over the year or so ahead our focus is on continuing to boost the impact and potential of museums, libraries and archives in locations across the country.
"Our various programmes and the expertise of our staff will continue unabated. Many longer term decisions will need to be taken and the outcome in October of the government's Spending Review will have a pivotal bearing on the details.
"It is our firm intention to continue to provide strong and visible national leadership and a consistent, purposeful voice. We are confident that the various important capabilities of the MLA will be found new homes and we are determined to ensure that there continues to be sources of robust advocacy for museums, libraries and archives and for the people and places that depend upon them; with provision of experts, know-how, advice, specialist resources, detailed research and evidence and informed guidance.
They continued: "Specific partnership work is already in hand on a Ministerial initiative to develop and improve library services; this will continue, and will be delivered by MLA and LGA this autumn, unaffected by the announcement.
"As an example of our specialist resources, we have just agreed to second an MLA expert, Natasha Innocent, to RaceOnline 2012 for 6 months from September. Natasha will work with Martha Lane Fox and her team to help deliver their Manifesto for a Networked Nation; and specifically to ensure that public library services are fully integrated in moves to secure positive digital outcomes for people in Britain,” Motion and Clare concluded.