More Visits And More Books Bought

Visits to England's public libraries continue to rise, and a wider range of books have been bought for them, despite a further reduction in expenditure on books - and the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council encourages local authorities to continue investing in the future of their library services.

Annual statistics have today been released by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) and reveal a mixed bag of results for the sector during the past 12 months.

The figures, the most accurate available on public library usage, reflect a 4% increase in the total number of books added to stock, despite a 2% reduction in spending on books. More effective spending allows local authorities to get more stock for their money, freeing up funds to spend in other areas.

They also show a small rise of about 1% in the number of visits to public libraries - continuing a trend of increasing visits, which have risen 7.5% in total over the past five years.

A growing change in the range of tools and media used to deliver resources and other library services to UK users is evidenced through the statistics related to online and electronic resources. The number of computer terminals in libraries in the UK rose 7% in the past year. The CIPFA figures suggest increased online and electronic resources for public library users may explain the fact that visitor numbers have risen, while lending has fallen.

Importantly, the numbers related to children's books show that if public libraries invest in more children's books and provide more stock, the public will demonstrate demand through borrowing. A 7% increase in the number of children's fiction books added to shelves was supported by a 3% increase in their lending.
The total spending on all materials has dropped slightly, along with figures related to lending.

Culture Minister David Lammy said: "These new figures confirm that libraries are reinforcing their vital place in communities. Although book issues are down, the number of new books added to stock continues to rise. Books and the written word remain at the heart of the public library service, and rightly so, but local libraries offer much more than that. Local authorities disregard their importance to communities at their peril."

MLA Head of Library Policy John Dolan said that while there were some encouraging results, he also expressed concern at the decline in the expenditure, in terms of Pounds and percentage, on books.
"MLA recognises the financial challenges which local authorities face. MLA, in line with its strategic programme for libraries, will support local authorities to invest in improving public library services for users," Mr Dolan said.

Mr Dolan pointed to the MLA's 2006 report Better Stock, Better Libraries, which outlined a national library purchasing model with the potential to save up to £20 million a year and create major opportunities for significant reinvestment in improved library services. The proposed new procurement arrangements, which maintain local accountability for stock selection, would mean better availability and more efficient management of stock, more flexibility to meet local needs and reduced unit costs of stock.

Local authorities would have more money and resources to reinvest in refreshed book stocks, improved information and communications technology, longer opening hours and more staff helping customers get the best out of their local library. The implementation phase of Better Stock, Better Libraries programme is now underway. -- www.mla.gov.uk