Stock procurement Better Stock, Better Libraries (BSBL) Latest news At its meeting on 21 November 2007, the MLA Board reviewed the Better Stock, Better Libraries programme. They asked for further work to be done to establish the extent to which components of the programme can be integrated with the emerging Libraries Action Plan. The Action Plan - which aims to develop ideas that would help local authorities and their libraries deliver more effectively for the public - is due to be published in the summer 2008. Stock procurement and funding review MLA and DCMS commissioned this report from PKF in order to explore how effectively library services are spending, and the relationship between the funding available and successful delivery. We did so in the belief it is crucial that where efficiencies can be found, library authorities should be supported in doing so, in order that resources can be redeployed to ensure a tangible improvement in services, for example extending opening hours, improving buildings or introducing new services in line with community needs. The report set out the scope and scale of what might be achieved if public libraries were to work together on a national approach to procurement issues, and provided indicative figures of efficiencies which might be achieved by such an approach. It recommended that we examine the case for a national procurement agency and set out some options for the type of agency that might be considered. A statement from MLA and DCMS outlined the challenges facing public library services and the actions that will be implemented by MLA and DCMS following publication of the report.  Joint Statement from MLA and DCMS (PDF 108KB)
Public Libraries Efficiency and Stock Supply Chain Review (Full Report without Appendices) (PDF 410KB)
01 Executive Summary (PDF 60KB) Appendices: Appendix I Implementation of Recommendations (PDF 30KB)
Appendix II List of Consultees (PDF 27KB)
Appendix IIIa Online Survey (PDF 97KB)
Appendix IIIb Survey Findings (PDF 168KB)
Appendix IVa Customer Satisfaction and Rankings (PDF 22KB)
Appendix IVb Cost Comparison (PDF 22KB)
Appendix V Staff Survey (PDF 21KB)
Appendix VI Management Structures (PDF 16KB)
Appendix VII Stock Supply Chain Process Maps (PDF 632KB)
Appendix VIII Assessment of Supply Chain Options (PDF 33KB)
If you prefer, you can read or download individual sections of the report, using the links below:
02 Terms of Reference and Approach (PDF 50KB)
03 Overview of Public Library Expenditure (PDF 89KB)
04 Overview of the Book Market (PDF 92KB)
05 Library Efficiency (PDF 58KB)
06 Use of Employees (PDF 58KB)
07 Use of ICT (PDF 40KB)
08 Supply Chain Models (PDF 71KB)
09 Book Procurement: Current Good Practices in England (PDF 57KB)
10 Assesssment of Potential Book Procurement Models (PDF 52KB)
11 Book Procurement Recommended Processes (PDF 46KB)
12 Estimated Savings from Adoption of Good Practice Supply (PDF 39KB)
13 Other Efficiency Issues (PDF 42KB)
14 Implementation of Recommendations (PDF 46KB) Project overview
The Better Stock Better Libraries report , published by the MLA in August 2006, proposes a new stock procurement model for public libraries.
Better Stock, Better Libraries (PDF 567KB)
 Library Stock Report fact sheet (Word 49KB)
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