§ Nick HarveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many public libraries there were per head of population for each year since 1979. [23071]
§ Dr. HowellsThe answer is as follows:
Population per library in England (total population divided by the number of public libraries open 10 hours plus per week, including mobiles) Year Number 1999–2000 14,211 1998–99 14,125 1997–98 13,953 1996–97 13,742 1995–96 13,550 1994–95 13,425 1993–94 13,369 1992–93 13,290 1991–92 13,170 1990–91 13,069 1989–90 11,461 1988–89 13,915 1987–88 13,545 1986–87 13,781 1985–86 13,189 1984–85 13,317 1983–84 13,004 1982–83 13,006 1981–82 13,054 1980–81 12,986 1979–80 12,725 The figures exclude special services offered by library authorities to members of the public, for example, homes and hospitals. Across England these services have increased from 9,806 in 1979–80 to 14,617 in 1999–2000.