Written question asked by Peter Ainsworth (Conservative) on Wednesday, 20 June 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 10 July 2001. It was answered by Baroness Jowell (Labour) on Tuesday, 10 July 2001 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, if she will make a statement on standards of service in public libraries. - (Holding answer 25 June 2001).

Answer: Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on standards of service in public libraries. [117] Tessa Jowell: [holding answer 25 June 2001]: The Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 makes it a duty of library authorities to: provide a comprehensive and efficient library service. We introduced standards of service for library authorities from 1 April 2001 to help them and users understand what is required under the Act. Since 1998, we have also encouraged better planning and accountability in public library services through the introduction of annual library plans and these will now act as the vehicle for monitoring and assessing library authorities' performance against the standards.

Secondary information