Answer to first Question tabled by Baroness Ros Scott, Liberal Democrat :
House of Lords
Wednesday 2 December 2009 - The Baroness Scott of Needham Market asked Her Majesty's Government :
What response they will make to the recent findings of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Libraries, Literacy and Information Management about the leadership of libraries [HL252]
LORD DAVIES OF OLDHAM responded :
Over the next two months the Department for Culture, Media and Sport will undertake a consultation on the future of the public library service in England. We published our consultation paper on 1st December and I will arrange for a copy to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The Department will consider the findings of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Libraries, Literacy and Information Management Report as part of that process and publish a policy statement in the spring.
The answer to the second question [see below] relating to adoption of national standards and protocols for E4Libraries etc has yet to be provided. On 29th January Baroness Scott confirmed that she intends to re-table the question, for which we are most grateful.
Question 2
Given the need to improve efficiency in the public library service and to focus resources on those who need and use public libraries, may I ask the Minister to indicate how many library authorities now comply with national standards for RFID and E4Libraries -- to allow individual authorities to work with each other and to encourage the electronic transfer of data to support such functions as inter-library authority loans. Should not these national standards be actively promoted by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council and by the Society of Chief Librarians ?