§ Lord Harrisonasked Her Majesty's Government:
In light of their public libraries announcement, how many public libraries are currently fulfilling the Government standard of: (a) annually purchasing 216 new items per 1,000 of population; and (b) replacing outward stock after no more than 6.7 years on display. [HL410]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyThe information requested in the first part of the Question is not available in that form.
Public Library Standard 17 measures how many of the 149 English library authorities purchase at least 261 items per 1,000 population each year. The table below shows this information for the past four years.
Due to reporting exemptions only 139 of 149 library authorities submitted a report in 2002 and 2003.
Number of library authorities passing Public Library Standard 17–216 annual items added through purchase per thousand population Type of Authority 2001 2002 2003 2004 Inner London 77% 80% 80% 77% Outer London 55% 72% 67% 70% Metropolitan 28% 35% 44% 56% Unitary 28% 39% 48% 54% County 29% 35% 42% 65% Overall 36% 45% 50% 61% The information requested in the second part of the Question is not available in that form.
Public Library Standard 18 measures how many of the 149 English library authorities replenish their book stock within the designated timeframe of 6.7 years.
144WAThe table below shows this information for the past four years.
Due to reporting exemptions only 139 of 149 library authorities submitted a report in 2002 and 2003.
Number of library authorities passing Public Library Standard 18—Time taken to replenish lending stock Type of Authority 2001 2002 2003 2004 Inner London 31% 30% 60% 54% Outer London 25% 28% 28% 40% Metropolitan 8% 18% 35%. 47% Unitary 24% 41% 48% 61% County 32% 29% 45% 65% Overall 23% 30% 42% 55%