An Action Plan designed to set the course for Libraries over the next five years was published by the MLA in May 2008.
The plan is the result of extensive consultation and engagement with stakeholders and sets out an agenda for change for public libraries in England with the aspiration of making every public library a great public library.
Best practice is at work in great libraries in communities across England. MLA will promote excellent services and help the rest match the best. The Action Plan will also see MLA:
- examine options for governance, funding, management and delivery structures to improve the effectiveness and impact of libraries services and to establish political support for change
- maintain support for national ventures such as Find your Talent, the National Year of Reading, the Youth Offer, Living Places, the Cultural Olympiad and Personalised Health Services as a means of improving services
- make an effective case for faster broadband connections in public libraries with greater bandwidth
- manage digital data environments and further extend the provision of free or low cost reference materials to public libraries through centrally negotiated contracts with providers
- promote ‘Libraries Online’ to deliver 21st century learning, information and creative digital environments
- advance a national membership scheme leading to a single micro chip membership card for all that will improve services and increase convenience for users.
MLA Chief executive Roy Clare commented: “The MLA is guiding a drive for improvement in public libraries through a far-sighted five-year Action Plan that will draw attention to best practice, promote innovation and work towards new national arrangements for digital services, including faster broadband and better access for all people, wherever they may be. Many of our fantastic public libraries are already playing a vital role and providing essential services at the heart of our communities; the rest need to catch up with the best.”
More than 50% of the population are members of public libraries; more people use them than attend premier league football matches.