Press release below - full text of standards can be found at
http://www.culture.gov.uk/heritage/library_standards.html
Sarah Ormes
UKOLN
105/2000 Monday 15 May 2000
GOVERNMENT UNVEILS FIRST EVER NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Opening hours, proximity to users and new book buying come under the
spotlight
Culture Secretary Chris Smith today unveiled plans to introduce new tough
standards for England's public library service. In a wide-ranging
consultation paper, the Government proposes that all public libraries should
have to meet core standards covering opening hours, the proximity of
libraries to users, and the number of new books bought every year.
Chris Smith said:
"This is a genuine consultation. These are the standards which we think the
library service of the future should meet. But we want to hear the views of
all concerned. If the standards are to drive up quality they must be
challenging but also realistic."
Local government, library professionals and library users have until 3 July
this year to comment on the proposals, which will be the first ever
instituted on a nationwide basis.
Visiting the library is the fifth most popular leisure occupation in the
country with a staggering 430 million items borrowed every year. Under the
1964 Public Libraries and Museums Act each of England's 149 library
authorities is required to provide "a comprehensive and efficient library
service", but this is the first time that the standards of service needed to
comply with the law have ever been defined.
Under the proposed plans the Government want Library Authorities to:
. ensure that at least one library is open for 60 hours a week and that all
other libraries with significant catchment populations are open for at least
45 hours a week
. provide evidence that branch and mobile libraries are located in both
urban and rural areas within reasonable travelling time for the local
population with a target of 20 minutes . ensure that total mobile library
visits missed or cancelled will be no more than 5% in any given year
. guarantee that branch libraries open for more than 10 hours a week provide
internet access
. make an annual purchase of 216 books (and other material such as CDs,
CD-roms, tapes or videos) for every 1000 library authority residents
. allow people to borrow books for a minimum of three weeks at a time, and
to borrow a minimum of eight books at a time
. guarantee a minimum replacement rate for books, tapes, CDs, CD-roms and
videos, which is capable of replacing all stock within eight and a half
years.
Once final standards have been agreed, Chris Smith will write to every
English library Authority, informing them that they will be expected to
bring their services up to the new standards by 2004 at the very latest.
This will give them three years to plan and introduce any necessary changes.
Publishing the draft standards for consultation today, Culture Secretary
Chris Smith said:
"When public libraries came into existence 150 years ago they provided much
needed free access to entertainment, learning and community resources, and
it is essential that modern public libraries are equipped to fulfil their
role as streetcorner universities, providing access to learning and
enjoyment and also bridging the gap between the information haves and
have-nots.
"Local libraries play a vital part in the life of communities up and down
the country. If local library services are to flourish in the future then
they must offer the opening hours, convenient locations, and stocks of new
books, tapes and CDs which existing and would-be users want.
"The introduction of these minimum library standards will ensure that local
councils are aware of their responsibilities, and that library users are
aware of the standards of service they have a right to expect.
"Where necessary the Government will not hesitate to protect library
services by direct intervention."
Notes to Editors
1. A copy of the draft standards is available on request from the DCMS Press
Office on 0207 211 6272 or via the DCMS website www.culture.gov.uk.
2. Adults and children borrow over 430 million books and other resources
every year from public libraries.
3. There are 3,477 public libraries in cities, towns and villages in England
serving a population of about 49 million.
4. The Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 makes it the duty of the
Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport:
"To superintend, and promote the improvement of, the public library service
provided by local authorities in England...and to secure the proper
discharge by local authorities of the functions in relation to libraries
conferred on them as library authorities by or under this Act"
5. Public Library services in England are provided by unitary local
authorities, County Councils, Metropolitan Districts and London Boroughs.
6. A table of comparisons showing current library services and those of
twenty years ago accompanies this release.
Sarah Ormes
Public Library Networking Focus
UKOLN, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY
Visit 'Stories from the Web' at http://hosted.ukoln.ac.uk/stories/
Tel. 01225 826711
Fax. 01225 826838
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