Keep library reform local
Author: Local Government Chronicle - Mar 23, 2010
The future of libraries depends on the ability of councils to lead reform, rather than followng clauses and conditions decided by central government, the LGA has said.
Government proposals to regulate and standardise England’s libraries include offering library membership from birth, access to the nationmal book collection, free e-books, and more flexible opening hours.
Chris White, chair of the LGA’s Culture, Tourism and Sport board, said councils had already been busy on the ground making the necessary changes to ensure libraries remain popular, relevant and useful.
He said: "This document shows the Government understands the importance of reform but wants to restrict progress with regulations rather than letting local people influence decisions.
"Books will always be at the heart of what libraries do, but they already offer so much more than that. Libraries are providing hundreds of hours of free internet access a week and more than nine out of ten offer support and help to people getting online.
"The transformation of local libraries is happening because councils know how important it is to listen to the needs of local people and provide the services they want to use. Clauses and conditions decided by central government will only slow down the ability of councils to respond to changing situations."
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