LGA calls on government to reform "archaic" and "outdated" library laws

The Local Government Association has called on the government to reform Britain’s “archaic” and “outdated” library laws.

In a response submitted to a Culture, Media and Sport select committee inquiry into library closures, the LGA argued that as long as local authorities were bound by the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964, which states that the principal function of a library is the borrowing of books, they would “forever be hamstrung” in their efforts to modernise services.

The submission suggested that – against a backdrop of 28% budget cuts – councils needed much greater flexibility. The LGA pointed out that many library restructuring projects contained a greater emphasis on internet accessibility and links to job-hunting, training, literacy classes and health and social care.

These services are vital to those individuals and families who cannot afford to buy the latest computers and smartphones, the Association added.

The CMS committee inquiry comes amid a wave of legal battles over local authorities’ plans to revamp their library provision. Last week saw the Supreme Court refuse campaigners permission to appeal over Brent Council’s proposals to close six out of its 12 libraries.

However, a challenge to the plans of county councils in Somerset and Gloucestershire proved successful in the High Court in November 2011.

A case against Surrey County Council’s proposals for 10 out of its 52 libraries to become community-run will meanwhile be heard later this month.

Cllr Chris White, Chair of the LGA’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Board, said: “There’s great enthusiasm and potential to modernise our libraries in ways which better engage our younger generation, don’t alienate existing users and make the most of our diminished resources.

“However, every step of the way we’re having to navigate archaic laws which are acting as a barrier to reform. Book-borrowing is still a key element of a library, but increasingly important is making the internet and digital technology accessible to all so vast swathes of the population are not left behind.”

Cllr White insisted that councils did not close libraries lightly and strove to find alternative solutions. But he added that reducing services in smaller, older, little-used libraries which were often in old buildings with no disabled access would mean local authorities had more cash to invest in other libraries that are better suited to today’s needs.

“Reorganising libraries should rightly be done in consultation with our communities but campaigners can’t keep burying their heads in the sand and demand nothing change while harking back to childhoods which wouldn’t be recognised by youngsters growing up today,” he said.

Cllr White added: “Councils must be free to modernise library services without fear of contravening archaic legislation which was drawn up before the arrival of the internet and digital media."

The LGA’s response to the CMS committee inquiry into library closures, can be viewed here.