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Key district level stats

Key participation statistics released giving district level data for first time.

Key data giving information about public participation in museum and library services in all 353 English local authority areas has been released for the first time. The MLA has facilitated the collection of the data to satisfy demand from councils.

The data is intended to help upper tier authorities understand the variations that exist in cultural and sport participation within their area.

The new estimates supplement rather than replace the baseline estimates released in December 2008. The estimates do not provide a reliable assessment of progress because half of the fieldwork period overlaps with that for the upper-tier baselines.

The data relates to the Local Area Agreements (LAAs) reached with government In June 2008, The LAAs include targets to improve public services and the quality of life for people living and working in the area. Local authorities chose 35 targets from a possible 198 in the National Indicator Set.

DCMS has four National Indicators (NIs) within the set, two of which focus on museums and libraries:

NI 9 measures the percentage of adults in a LA who have used a public library service in the past 12 months. Use is for leisure purposes, including informal learning and studying or research for personal interests.

NI 10 measures the percentage of adults in a LA who have visited a museum or gallery in the past 12 months. Visits are for leisure purposes, including informal learning and studying or research for personal interests. Online access to collections and outreach services are not counted.

There is no geographical restriction placed on where the activity occurs. The measure is of people’s usage - that participation could occur outside the local authority area. All museums, galleries, arts activities and events are included, not only those funded by local authorities (however, NI 9 relates specifically to public library services).

The data can be accessed here www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/publications/6234.aspx