Tim Coates

Tim Coates was ceo of Waterstone's book stores in the UK. Since 2000 he has concentrated on both public and academic libraries. Through a set of Freckle reports he has researched, analyzed and sought improvements in the services libraries offer.

In the Latest IMLS Stats, Some Worrying Trends for Libraries Persist

U.K.-based library advocate and Freckle Report author Tim Coates offers his first take on the recently released IMLS statistics, which continue to show an alarming slide in physical circulation and gate counts.

Library Advocate: Baker & Taylor’s Collapse Should Be a Wake Up Call for Libraries

The temptation for many will be to pin Baker & Taylor's demise on management decisions, writes U.K.-based library advocate Tim Coates. But it would be a mistake to discount the drop in physical book purchases Baker & Taylor has been navigating for so long.