Department for Culture Media and Sport
libraries
Individual public library services are delivered by 151 local authorities in England.
We are responsible for national library policy, and work closely with the Museums Libraries and Archives Council on a range of issues.
What we are doing
- On 16 August 2010, Culture Minister Ed Vaizey announced the ten projects chosen to take part in the Future Libraries Programme – a support programme that will secure a place for public libraries at the heart of the Big Society
- On 26 July 2010, the Secretary of State announced plans to abolish the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA)
- On 1 July 2010, Culture Minister Ed Vaizey announced a new support programme that will secure a place for public libraries at the heart of the Big Society
- Following an announcement on spending by the Secretary of State on 17 June, the extension of Public Lending Right (PLR) to audio books and e-books has been suspended and will be considered as part of government’s spending review in the Autumn.
- In March 2010 we launched the The Modernisation Review of Public Libraries – A Policy Statement following a consultation called Empower, Inform, Enrich – the modernisation review of public libraries
- In 2009, the Secretary of State ordered a local inquiry into the library service provided by Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council
- In 2003 we launched Framework for the Future, a ten-year, national strategy for the improvement and modernisation of England's public library services
Organisations we sponsor
We sponsor the British Library. We and the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills are co-signatories of the British Library Funding Agreement.
We also sponsor the PLR. This organisation pays authors whenever their books are lent by public libraries. The PLR Funding Agreement sets out their priorities and how they will deliver.
Advisory bodies
In his speech at the Re-modelling Library Services Conference on 1 July Ed Vaizey announced that he will wind down the Advisory Council on Libraries. The Legal Deposit Advisory Panel will continue to provide independent advice to the Minister.
What's new
Ed Vaizey's speech Re-modelling Library Services Conference [1 July 2010]
The Modernisation Review of Public Libraries – A Policy Statement [22 March 2010]
Please see the consultation Empower, Inform, Enrich – the modernisation review of public libraries [1 December 2009]