Written question asked by Joan Ryan (Labour) on Wednesday, 6 December 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 11 December 2000. It was answered by Lord Howarth of Newport (Labour) on Monday, 11 December 2000 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Dept for Culture Media and Sport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, What steps he is taking to improve accessibility to public libraries. - Inc ref to 'Libraries for All'.

Answer: Ms Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to improve accessibility to public libraries. [141881] Mr. Alan Howarth: Last year I published a policy document, "Libraries for All", which identified what public libraries can do to help combat social exclusion and improve their accessibility to everyone in the community. I intend to publish a revised policy statement together with an action plan very soon and I shall also be introducing public library standards next year which will deal with all aspects of library services including access.

Secondary information