§ Mr. Alan HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will publish the ASLIB consultancy study commissioned as part of the public library review. [24915]
§ Mr. DorrellThe ASLIB consultancy was commissioned by my predecessor to produce a report as part of a major review of the public library service in England and Wales. I am today authorizing the publication of the report and seeking public reactions to its contents, and depositing copies in the Libraries of the House.
This is a time of major change for the public library service. The review aims to provide fundamental examination of its future, and ASLIB has produced a very full report as part of that process. In doing so, it has examined the public library service currently provided by local authorities in England and Wales and the context within which they operate; and it has consulted widely.
Public libraries are important to all sectors of the community. Each year more than 24 million adults in England and Wales use them. The ASLIB report draws attention to those services which the public values particularly highly, and demonstrates that libraries play a crucial role in the economy of the United Kingdom.
The report addresses a number of recommendations to the Government. We shall of course consider them carefully; but I can make it clear now that: 151W
I have no intention of introducing charges for the present free core of the public library service;I will be taking forward the proposals that Government should produce guidance notes for local authorities to define more clearly the range of core services which libraries should provide. In doing so, however, I am conscious of the desirability of leaving decisions about how best to provide such services for local authorities to decide in the light of local circumstances.I am not inclined to establish a new independent library inspectorate; andI do not intend to change the present legislation governing public library services.Most of the recommendations in the report are addressed to local authorities, and I am seeking their views. However, I can make it clear now that I support in principle an approach under which local authorities:
state explicitly what kind of library service they want to buy, however that service is delivered; andexplore innovative ways of providing that service, including new technology and diverse sources of finance.The separate study that I have commissioned of the scope for contracting out public library services will make a valuable contribution to this debate.
Following consultation with local authorities and other interests, I expect to make a further statement on the outcome of the review later this year.