DCMS 001/01
4 January 2001
LIBRARIES PLANNING TO MEET NEEDS OF USERS CHRIS SMITH SAYS
Audit shows big improvement in library plans across England
Libraries across England are in good heart and local authorities are
planning to meet the needs of library users, Culture Secretary Chris
Smith announced today. An audit of libraries shows that for the first
time since the survey was started in 1998 more library plans were
recorded as good than recorded as satisfactory.
The Appraisal of Annual Library Plans 2000, which will be published
next week, shows that taken overall, the Library Plans of 73
authorities were assessed as 'good' (compared with 54 last year) and
a further 71 as 'satisfactory'.Only 5 authorities produced plans
assessed as 'poor'.
Chris Smith said:
"I am extremely heartened by the results of this survey which show a
continuing improvement in the plans libraries are making to meet the
varied needs of their local communities. It also demonstrates the
effectiveness of the audit in encouraging libraries to plan ahead and
in enabling us to monitor their progress and to make them more
accountable.
"This Government has always recognised the vital importance of
libraries to local communities. They provide a continuing educational
resource to people in all walks and all stages of their lives. With
the emphasis this Government has rightly placed on education their
role is more vital than ever. I am determined to ensure that our
library services remain among the best in the world responding to the
changing requirements of users and adapting to the evolution of
information technology."
Since 1998, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has
required all library authorities to produce an Annual Library Plan
(ALP), which includes standing information about their library
service, along with reviews of past performance and strategies and
targets for the current and future years. The planning process is a
key element in helping the Secretary of State to carry out his
statutory duty under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 to
superintend and promote the public library service.
The Library Plans show how local councils intend to:
provide best value to the public, including consulting on the type
and standard of service they provide and their future intentions (37
authorities were assessed as good, 90 satisfactory, and 22 poor or
inadequate in this area)
develop their use of information technology in libraries, including
plans for staff training (73 authorities assessed as good, 68 were
assessed as satisfactory, and only 8 as poor or inadequate in this
section)
improve access to libraries for all sections of the community
through policy on location of libraries and their opening hours,
charging policies, and services for children and other groups (76
authorities were assessed as good, 57 as satisfactory, 16 as poor in
this area).
Chris Smith said that steps would be taken to help the 5 local
authorities whose overall plans were rated as poor. He said the
Department would consider how additional guidance could be given to
help them improve their position.
From April 2001, public library standards will be introduced to
provide a link between annual library plans and performance
monitoring of services. Library Authorities will, therefore, be
assessed for the first time on the quality of the library service
they provide rather than the quality of their planning. The aim of
library standards will be to better define for both library
authorities and users the requirements of the library authority under
the 1964 Public Libraries and Museums Act. The standards will cover
key areas of service provision, such as location and access of
libraries, book purchasing and opening hours.
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