User Satisfaction with Public Libraries

There are over 3,500 public libraries in England providing an important local service by facilitating community access to a vast range of books and information resources.

The DCMS Taking Part Survey found that during 2009/10 almost two in five adults in England had visited a public library during the previous twelve months.

Satisfaction among service users is high with 92% of respondents to the CIPFA Public Library Users Survey (PLUS) saying that overall their library was 'good' or 'very good'. 87% of respondents felt their library opening hours were ‘good’ or 'very good' and 76% felt that the choice of books was 'good' or 'very good'.

User satisfaction with public libraries

Useful Publications

Useful case studies

Latest News

Responsibilities transfer

From 1st October 2011, this site will not be updated, so please treat it as the static archive it is. This is because <a target="_Blank" href="http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/">Arts Council England</a> has now taken over museums and libraries responsibilities. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/">The National Archives</a> has assumed responsibility for strategic leadership of the Archives sector. Arts Council responsibilities will also now include the Renaissance programme, Museum Accreditation, and Library Development, together with cultural property services such as Export Licensing and the Acceptance in Lieu scheme. The National Archives has assumed responsibility for providing strategic leadership to the archives sector and advising government on its development. The MLA is now winding down, with a skeleton staff remaining until May 2012 to complete the management of existing Renaissance contracts, complete outstanding financial and contractual arrangements and prepare for the appointment of a liquidator. This website will remain live until 31st March so that the public still has full access to the material on it – good practice case studies, toolkits, guidance and a range of other publications. Continue reading

MLA