HL Deb 11 March 1969 vol 300 c455WA
LORD TWEEDSMUIR

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many books were distributed by the public libraries in the United Kingdom during 1968, or in the last year for which figures are available?

BARONESS PHILLIPS

The last published estimate of books lent by public libraries in the United Kingdom is that of the Library Association for 1961–62, of 460 million. There is evidence of an appreciable increase since that date. A rough estimate for 1968–69 is that issues are in the region of 600 million.