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Written question asked by Lord Barker of Battle (Conservative) on Tuesday, 16 July 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 24 July 2002. It was answered by Kim Howells (Labour) on Wednesday, 24 July 2002 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, which libraries have (a) opened and (b) reopened since 1997; and what sources of public funding are available to them. - Inc table.
Answer

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which libraries have (a) opened and (b) reopened since 1997; and what sources of public funding are available to them. [71167] Dr. Howells: The number of library openings and re-openings is not held centrally. However, the total number of libraries in England between 1996-97 and 2000-01 was: _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Number 1996-97 3,083 1997-98 3,053 1998-99 3,037 1999-2000 3,031 2000-01 3,032 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. The figures in the table reflect only branch and central libraries open for at least 10 hours a week. They do not include static libraries open for less than that duration, mobile libraries or special services provided by English library authorities to senior citizens' homes and others in sheltered housing schemes. In 2000-01 the figures for these two types of provision were, respectively: 130 static libraries open for less than 10 hours, 465 mobiles and 16,819 outlets in institutions. Core funding for public libraries is provided through the Environmental Protection and Cultural Services block. It is for local authorities to decide how much of their EPCS funding to allocate to their libraries in line with their statutory duty to provide library services that are comprehensive and efficient.Core funding for public libraries is provided through the Environmental Protection and Cultural Services block. It is for local authorities to decide how much of their EPCS funding to allocate to their libraries in line with their statutory duty to provide library services that are comprehensive and efficient.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
389 c1159-60W;389 c1157-8W; 71167
Session
2001-02
Subjects
Finance Libraries Public libraries
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk