皇冠体育app

An expert support programme will be led by the and the . 皇冠体育appy will work together to support councils as they adapt to the current economic challenge, helping them deliver key services while reducing costs.

Initially, the programme will work intensively with around 10 library authorities. When this first phase of work is complete, the lessons learned will be shared with the wider public library network. 皇冠体育app programme is based on the principle that local services know their communities best and that the solutions should be owned and driven by councils.

Let us know what you think by leaving your comments on the Culture Minister鈥檚 speech. [closed]

Radical rethink

皇冠体育app Government is committed to a high quality library service but wants a radical rethink in how it is delivered. Mr Vaizey said many options should be considered, including:

• shared services
• merging functions
• staffing across authorities
• support from volunteers
• the use of other community buildings

鈥淭oday鈥檚 economic challenge means people need library services more than ever, to help them back to work, to access learning and as a central plank of community cohesion,鈥� said Mr Vaizey.

鈥淏ut to do all of this in a time of reduced public spending means fresh thinking on how services are delivered. We need to ask tough questions, like whether there is scope for savings in reducing the number of library authorities through voluntary alliances.

鈥淚t鈥檚 precisely because I believe so strongly in the value of public library services that I want to secure a sustainable future in the challenging times ahead.鈥�

Further information

• [16 August 2010]
• Read and comment on a transcript of Ed Vaizey鈥檚 speech [closed]