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1964 Act is "barrier to reform", claims LGA

06.02.12 | Benedicte Page

The Local Government Association has called for the 1964 Public Libraries and Museums Act to be updated, saying it is "outdated and stifles modernisation". 

In its written submission to the culture, media and sport select committee, the LGA calls the present Act, which requires all library authorities to offer a "comprehensive and efficient service" to residents, with the secretary of state superintending, "a barrier to library reform". 

Instead the body says: "A modern Libraries Act without the superintendent role of central government would give councillors the scope to re-design their library services to meet local people’s needs." 

The LGA maintains: "Closure of a library does not automatically mean a decrease in access to library services; with the exploration of on line and community delivery models, it can mean accessing services in a different way. Other councils have decided to re-design their library services; and some have added to their portfolio of libraries."

The 600-page collection of written submissions to the committee has been published online, and includes submissions from Doncaster and South Gloucestershire councils, which have both faced vigorous local opposition to library closures. Campaigners including those in Oxfordshire and Suffolk, and in individual library campaigns such as the Upper Norwood Library Campaign, have also made submissions.

The inquiry opens tomorrow (Tuesday 7th February), with oral evidence from The Reading Agency director Miranda McKearney, Abigail Barker of Voices for the Library, The Library Campaign, and Sue Charteris, author of the Charteris report into proposed library closures in the Wirral.

Proceedings can be viewed live online via www.parliamentlive.tv.

The committee is chaired by John Whittingdale MP.

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By Tim Coates

Those who don't follow the intricacies of these things might not know who the 'LGA' (Local Government Association) are

They have nothing to do with public interest - but instead they are an extraordinarily expensive body which has been set up by Local councils to lobby represent their own interests in Whitehall.

So all they are saying here is - central government should not superintend our service - even though the Libraries Act and local people actually want such superintendence to take place and be proactive.

'Nobody' they are saying, 'neither Parliament nor Ministers, should criticise us for our failure to run the public library service properly.'

It is complete and obvious rot.

This latest outburst, which is quite typical of their ranting, is the equivalent of a ten year old, who unable to pass their tests in schools, calls for those tests to be stopped. Anyone can see through their nonsense.

If ever the government needed to make a saving of many millions of pounds, the place to start is the Local Government Association. Someone should ask how much it actually does cost.... and who gets the money.

Mon, 06/02/2012 - 20:45
By Mick Fortune

Such a pleasure to agree with your every word Tim! The freedom to design services to meet local needs seems so far to have been exemplified by the freedom to withdraw them altogether.

Add that to the almost irresponsible investments in highly proprietary and non-transportable technological solutions encouraged by the LGA through such programmes as their Communities of Practice initiative and for once I find myself in the slightly uncomfortable position of supporting the role of central government!

Tue, 07/02/2012 - 07:10
By M Cove

Without some form of statutory requirement many authorities might well do away with most of their physical libraries altogether. A website plus a few buildings isn't a library service however up to date and 'accessible' it is. The legislation needs strengthening - e.g. with meaningful service standards that people can use to bring authorities to account.

Tue, 07/02/2012 - 13:56
By Anonymous9te5tp5

Play the ball and not the man, Tim, for once in your life, please.

Wed, 08/02/2012 - 02:19

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Erik Urbina

from Erik Urbina on Wed, 15/02/2012 - 20:11

I appreciate you sharing this blog post.Thanks Again.


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