Public libraries support and resources
Support and resources for councils in England and the public libraries sector in England and its partners provided through the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)
Applies to England
What we do
The DCMS Libraries team supports ministers in overseeing and promoting the improvement of public library services in England. It is also responsible for other library-related policy, such as the Public Lending Right Scheme. DCMS sponsors the British Library, The National Archives and the Advisory Council on National Records and Archives. Read more about our work on the DCMS Libraries blog.
Superintendence
We support the Secretary of State in their statutory duty to superintend, and promote the improvement of, the public library service provided by local authorities. Library authorities, in turn, have a statutory duty to provide a ‘comprehensive and efficient’ library service. We’re keen to talk to and visit library services, particularly those who are at an early stage in considering changes or in the process of making changes to their library service provision.
We also support the Secretary of State and Libraries Minister by investigating any official complaints that are made about library services which people think are failing to meet their statutory duty. The Libraries team can be contacted directly at libraries@dcms.gov.uk.
Libraries as a statutory service
Provides guidance on councils’ duty to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service.
Ministerial letters regarding DCMS consideration of representations about local library services
Minded to and final decision letters relating to official complaints made to the Secretary of State that a local library authority is failing to carry out its statutory duty.
Policy
DCMS is responsible for policy on public libraries. This means that we work within government and beyond to promote the value of libraries and what they deliver to decision makers. We talk to a wide range of people in different departments advocating for the strengths of libraries in supporting their agendas - whether that’s health and well-being, business support, skills, or supporting places like rural communities, high streets and towns.
Annual reports to Parliament on public libraries activities
These reports provide an annual review of library activity by government and major library stakeholders.
Library byelaws
Under section 19 of the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 local authorities may make byelaws regulating the use of library facilities run by each authority under the Act. DCMS produces a Model Template for authorities to use.
Libraries Taskforce
Following the publication of the Independent Library Report for England 18 December 2014. Central and local government ‘jointly established a Libraries Taskforce to provide leadership; to implement the recommendations and to help reinvigorate the public library service in England. The Taskforce was active between 2015 to 2020.
Libraries Deliver: Ambition for Public Libraries in England 2016 to 2021
A strategy document drawn up by the Libraries Taskforce, and endorsed by both central and local government. It set out the government’s and the Taskforce’s vision for, and commitment to, public libraries in England and provided a focus for joint action.
Government public libraries strategy
Baroness Sanderson undertook engagement work to support the development of a new government public libraries strategy. Her review will be published in Autumn 2023 along with the government response. Her work will inform the drafting of the new government public libraries strategy which will be published in early 2024.
Toolkits, data and research
Toolkits previously created by the Libraries Taskforce
Libraries: Alternative Delivery Models toolkit
Toolkit and case studies to support those looking at alternative delivery models for their library services.
Strategic planning of library services toolkit
Toolkit to support those looking at the strategic planning of library services.
Data
We’re keen to work with the libraries sector to strengthen the collection and use of data about public libraries. This process was started by the LIbraries Taskforce.
As the development agency for libraries, Arts Council England publishes a Basic Dataset for Libraries, which is available on its Supporting Libraries page.
Find your local library
Enter your postcode to Find your local Library
Funding
The £20.5 million Libraries Improvement Fund is enabling libraries to upgrade their buildings and technology, and equipping them to meet the changing needs of local communities. In Round 1, 25 library services were successful and in Round 2, 27. Announcements on these were made on 12 March 2022 and 20 March 2023. The window for expressions of interest for Round 3 closed on 19 June 2023; successful awards will be announced in spring 2024.
Between 2020-2023 DCMS provided £13m of funding to expand the British Library’s Business and IP Centre network, delivered through public libraries. Its new report Democratising Entrepreneurship 2.0 shows the national impact this investment has had,
Research
Research and analysis to explore the service effectiveness and sustainability of community managed libraries in England
Research and analysis into community managed libraries in England conducted by SERIO published May 2017.
Evaluation of the Libraries: Opportunities for Everyone innovation fund
The Libraries: Opportunities for Everyone (LOFE) innovation fund was launched in December 2016 as part of and alongside the Libraries Deliver: Ambition for Public Libraries in England 2016-21 strategy document
Library stakeholders
Arts Council England (ACE)
The development agency for libraries in England - investing in public libraries, through strategic and other funding programmes. ACE funds Libraries Connected and The Association of Senior Children’s and Education Librarians as Investment Principles Support Organisations for the Library sector
Libraries Connected
Commissioned to work as an Investment Principles Support Organisation or libraries.
Libraries Connected is a membership body for public libraries representing all the public library services in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The Association of Senior Children’s and Education Librarians
Commissioned to work as an Investment Principles Support Organisation for libraries.
The national network of senior managers in Children’s, Public and Schools Library Services. Supporting and encouraging excellence in children’s and schools’ library services.
Local Government Association (LGA)
The LGA is the membership organisation for local government and was a co-sponsor of the Libraries Taskforce.
Updates
30 June 2023: 5 months of engagement with over 100 contributions - libraries strategy deep dive sessions completed
Since her appointment in September 2022, Baroness Sanderson has been engaging with the libraries sector to support the development of a new government public libraries strategy
28 June 2023: People from the libraries sector who received awards in the King’s Birthday Honours
The King’s Birthday Honours mark the extraordinary contributions and service of people across the UK. Congratulations to the 8 people who were awarded honours in recognition of their contribution to libraries in England.
5 May 2023: Celebrating the Coronation with libraries and archives
Following the successful collaboration with the libraries sector to celebrate the Jubilee last year, DCMS Libraries Team decided to do something similar for the Coronation.
20 April 2023: Can libraries drive prosperity through individual one to one support?
Is there a role for libraries in supporting economic growth and prosperity locally and more widely? And how do we measure what makes a difference?