Department For Culture Media Sport
What we do
The DCMS Libraries team supports ministers in overseeing and promoting the improvement of public library services in England. It is also responsible for other library-related policy, such as the Public Lending Right Scheme. DCMS sponsors the British Library, The National Archives and the Advisory Council on National Records and Archives. Read more about our work on the DCMS Libraries blog.
Superintendence
We support the Secretary of State in their statutory duty to superintend, and promote the improvement of, the public library service provided by local authorities. Library authorities, in turn, have a statutory duty to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service. Were keen to talk to and visit library services, particularly those who are at an early stage in considering changes or in the process of making changes to their library service provision.
We also support the Secretary of State and Libraries Minister by investigating any official complaints that are made about library services which people think are failing to meet their statutory duty. The Libraries team can be contacted directly at libraries@dcms.gov.uk.
Libraries as a statutory service
Provides guidance on councils duty to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service.
Ministerial letters regarding DCMS consideration of representations about local library services
Minded to and final decision letters relating to official complaints made to the Secretary of State that a local library authority is failing to carry out its statutory duty.
Policy
DCMS is responsible for policy on public libraries. This means that we work within government and beyond to promote the value of libraries and what they deliver to decision makers. We talk to a wide range of people in different departments advocating for the strengths of libraries in supporting their agendas - whether thats health and well-being, business support, skills, or supporting places like rural communities, high streets and towns.
Annual reports to Parliament on public libraries activities
These reports provide an annual review of library activity by government and major library stakeholders.
Library byelaws
Under section 19 of the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 local authorities may make byelaws regulating the use of library facilities run by each authority under the Act. DCMS produces a Model Template for authorities to use.
Libraries Taskforce
Following the publication of the Independent Library Report for England 18 December 2014. Central and local government jointly established a Libraries Taskforce to provide leadership; to implement the recommendations and to help reinvigorate the public library service in England. The Taskforce was active between 2015 to 2020.
Libraries Deliver: Ambition for Public Libraries in England 2016 to 2021
A strategy document drawn up by the Libraries Taskforce, and endorsed by both central and local government. It set out the governments and the Taskforces vision for, and commitment to, public libraries in England and provided a focus for joint action.
Government public libraries strategy
Baroness Sanderson undertook engagement work to support the development of a new government public libraries strategy. Her review will be published in Autumn 2023 along with the government response. Her work will inform the drafting of the new government public libraries strategy which will be published in early 2024.
Toolkits, data and research
Toolkits previously created by the Libraries Taskforce
Libraries: Alternative Delivery Models toolkit
Toolkit and case studies to support those looking at alternative delivery models for their library services.
Strategic planning of library services toolkit
Toolkit to support those looking at the strategic planning of library services.
Data
Were keen to work with the libraries sector to strengthen the collection and use of data about public libraries. This process was started by the LIbraries Taskforce.
As the development agency for libraries, Arts Council England publishes a Basic Dataset for Libraries, which is available on its Supporting Libraries page.
Find your local library
Enter your postcode to Find your local Library
Funding
The 20.5 million Libraries Improvement Fund is enabling libraries to upgrade their buildings and technology, and equipping them to meet the changing needs of local communities. In Round 1, 25 library services were successful and in Round 2, 27. Announcements on these were made on 12 March 2022 and 20 March 2023. The window for expressions of interest for Round 3 closed on 19 June 2023; successful awards will be announced in spring 2024.
Between 2020-2023 DCMS provided 13m of funding to expand the British Librarys Business and IP Centre network, delivered through public libraries. Its new report Democratising Entrepreneurship 2.0 shows the national impact this investment has had,