Written question asked by Ann Coffey (Labour) on Monday, 29 January 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 9 February 2001. It was answered by Lord Smith of Finsbury (Labour) on Friday, 9 February 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, how he proposes to take forward his consultation about draft public library standards. - Includes figure and ref to library standards, and analysis of responses to consultation exercise being placed in Library (Dep 01/248) and on: www.culture.gov.uk.

Answer: Ms Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how he proposes to take forward his consultation about draft public library standards. [148158] Mr. Chris Smith: I am today publishing public library standards. They will come into effect from 1 April 2001, and my Department will monitor and assess performance against them through the annual library planning process. There will be a three-year period for compliance and my officials will be happy to discuss the practicalities with individual library authorities. The draft standards, on which I consulted last year, have ben refashioned to reflect better on library service outcomes and the requirements of best value, rather than simple inputs. Within the context of best value, they are resource neutral. I believe that library standards, together with best value provisions, will be a powerful combination to help authorities to drive up library performance. Copies of the library standards, and of the analysis of responses to the consultation exercise which I am also publishing today, are being placed in the Libraries of both Houses. In addition, both documents can be accessed via the Department's website: www.culture.gov.uk.

Secondary information