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The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) has announced that it will publish its latest annual survey of public library usage across the UK on Wednesday 12th May.
The statistics, which will cover the 12 months to March 2009, were originally due for release last month. Provisional figures had shown the first increase in book issuing for 20 years, coinciding with the start of the recession.
Tim Coates, chair of campaign group Libraries for Life for Londoners, criticised the delay to the release of the statistics, saying: "The system has to change. The whole reporting of public library costs needs an urgent overhaul."
A CIPFA spokesperson said: "We regret the delay in publishing this year's library survey, which was caused by unexpected administrative difficulties.
"The statistics are now available to subscribers, but because of our relationship with local authorities, they will not be more widely publicised until after the general election."