WIREDGOV

Public Libraries must be a birth right for all, as guardians of ‘this country’s greatest gift to world civilisation ’

News Release issued by the COI News Distribution Service on 22 March 2010

Margaret Hodge reaffirms Government backing for ‘life transforming’ libraries

Culture minister Margaret Hodge today published a blueprint for England’s public library service, to help ensure it is fit for purpose in the 21 st century. The Modernisation Review of Public Libraries: a Policy Statement makes it clear that books – and the right to borrow them and browse free of charge - must remain at the heart of the service. And the statutory responsibility on library authorities to provide a ‘comprehensive and efficient’ service must remain.

The paper aims to help libraries grasp the opportunities of digital technology, respond to the decline in use of existing services, the current economic climate and the public’s expectation of more customer-focused public services.

The paper includes proposals to:

* Recommend all local authorities have a ‘national core offer’ for the public, comprising membership from birth, free access to the internet, a right to order any book to borrow (even those out of print), free access to e-books as the market grows, opening hours to suit users, and an opportunity to be a member of all libraries in England;

* Create a ‘local offer’ as well, which could include commitments on bookstock, events programmes, activities and other services like CD and DVD lending;

* Offer best practice guidance to local authorities on consulting their communities about the library service, putting local people at the centre of the service;

* Make all libraries ‘digitally inclusive’ with easier – and free – access to the internet for users, along with advice on how people can get the most from online access;

* Consider establishing a new, strategic body for libraries to provide leadership and development for the sector, and with the formal power to advise the Secretary of State. This body would also run an accreditation programme, awarding a ‘Book Mark’ for the best services, which could be linked to funding opportunities; and

* Look at a radical approach to new partnerships across existing local authority boundaries, possibly linking with other public functions like post offices and private sector services such as coffee shops.

Margaret Hodge said:

“Public libraries at their best are the heartbeat of communities, providing knowledge, pleasure, services and support to all at every stage of their lives. We are fortunate indeed to have good examples of really first-rate library authorities. No one can deny, however, that the model that has served us so well for the last 160 years will be the better for being brought into line with the needs and priorities of the 21 st century.

“Our language and literature are this country’s greatest gift to world civilisation; and libraries celebrate and promote this. So I want the library service to grow and prosper, continuing to offer a first-rate free service to everyone, literally from birth onwards, with free access to printed books, the internet and ebooks as the market grows, and to do so with the added strength and authority that a confident new strategic body can bring.”

The Government wants to see each library authority have its local offer in place by the end of this year. It will review the new arrangements after two years, and consider whether to incorporate the library offer into legislation.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Copies of The Modernisation Review of Public Libraries: a Policy Statement can be found on the DCMS Website at: http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/consultations/6752.aspx

Contacts:

DCMS Press Enquiries and Out of hours telephone pager
Phone: 020 7211 6263
Mobile: 07699 751153
NDS.DCMS@coi.gsi.gov.uk

Toby Sargent.
Phone: 020 72116276
toby.sargent@culture.gsi.gov.uk