§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what restrictions currently exist to prevent libraries from accepting donations from members of the public to support book-buying; and in what ways donations from the public can be made to public libraries.
§ Mr. SproatPublic libraries are free to accept donations from members of the public and it is common for libraries to receive donations of books and other materials as well as bequests. In seeking to encourage donations, however, a public library authority would have to bear in mind its statutory obligation under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 not to charge for its book lending and reference service.