Public Libraries
(asked on 2nd March 2015) - View Source
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to section one of the Public Libraries and Museums Act 2014, what steps he is taking to ensure that local authorities properly discharge their (a) duties to meet the needs of public library users and (b) other duties under that Act.
This question was answered on 9th March 2015
Section 1 of the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 places a duty on the Secretary of State to superintend, and promote the improvement of, the public library service provided by local authorities in England, and to secure the proper discharge by local authorities of the functions in relation to libraries conferred on them as library authorities by or under this Act. There are a number of steps being taken to support my Right Hon. Friend the Secretary of State to meet this statutory duty. This includes close monitoring by the DCMS of developments relating to proposed library service changes throughout England and regular engagement by Ministers and Departmental officials with the library sector stakeholders to identify key issues. In addition, Arts Council England, the development agency for libraries, provides support and development to the libraries sector and collaborates and discusses with the relevant stakeholders to identify challenges and opportunities for libraries.
Section 1 of the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 places a duty on the Secretary of State to superintend, and promote the improvement of, the public library service provided by local authorities in England, and to secure the proper discharge by local authorities of the functions in relation to libraries conferred on them as library authorities by or under this Act. There are a number of steps being taken to support my Right Hon. Friend the Secretary of State to meet this statutory duty. This includes close monitoring by the DCMS of developments relating to proposed library service changes throughout England and regular engagement by Ministers and Departmental officials with the library sector stakeholders to identify key issues. In addition, Arts Council England, the development agency for libraries, provides support and development to the libraries sector and collaborates and discusses with the relevant stakeholders to identify challenges and opportunities for libraries.