Sanderson libraries review recommends new data hub, Libraries Laureate and expanded role for BL

The establishment of a new national data hub for libraries, an expanded role for the British Library, and the creation of a Libraries Minister and a Libraries Laureate, are among the recommendations of an independent review of libraries released today (18th January). The report, commissioned by the arts and heritage minister Lord Parkinson and compiled by government adviser Baroness Elizabeth Sanderson, is set to inform a new government strategy on libraries to be published later this year.

Diagnosing the main issues facing the service as a lack of recognition of libraries in government and a lack of awareness of what they offer among the general public, as well as a lack of comprehensive data about their performance, Baroness Sanderson has made a series of recommendations for improvement.

First is the establishment of a national data hub to replace the current annual CIPFA report, which currently covers data from less than half of library authorities. "The overall ambition should be to develop a platform that not only collects basic data, such as visits and loans, but can actively help the library service by looking across the sector as a whole," the report states, calling for the support of government to build the platform, and for a central body to administer it.

A national branding campaign to raise awareness of libraries is also recommended. Sanderson says: "There is nothing to stop local authorities from providing individual signage as to the different services each library has to offer but our libraries are also an essential part of our national civic infrastructure and we can and should do more to promote them as such."

Sanderson questions how Arts Council England (ACE), designated the national development agency for libraries when the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council was abolished in 2012, has succeeded in its brief, saying: "It is not that I doubt ACE’s commitment to libraries; rather that libraries have a different set of objectives to the other art forms in ACE’s purview. It would be helpful therefore to have a better sense of ACE’s strategic ambition for libraries."

However she sees a potential for expanded involvement by the British Library, which now handles Public Lending Right and the national digital programme LibraryOn, to take a "convening role", saying: "The British Library has a unique status, as well as a reach across the United Kingdom, that brings with it the opportunity to broker some interesting, strategic, partnerships across the public and private sector."

Sanderson also recommends the creation of a Libraries minister, saying: "As the current minister for Arts and Heritage, Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay has responsibility for libraries; altering the role to the minister for Arts, Heritage and Libraries would not just be a change of name, it would be an acknowledgement of the important role libraries play which could in turn raise their profile within government. If the Libraries minister were to commit to a programme of three roundtables a year to be attended by sector organisations and officials from the relevant departments, depending on the agenda, it would help break down the government silos which are currently such a challenge to the library sector."

She also suggests the creation of a Libraries Laureate, drawing on the many high-profile authors keen to advocate on their behalf, saying: "There would be tremendous value in a high-profile, distinct, voice for libraries; someone who the media could automatically turn to and who could advocate on behalf of libraries."

Praising the success of programmes such as the Summer Reading Challenge, Bookstart and BookTrust Storytime, Baroness Sanderson said the DCMS should "look at ways of aligning the different models and identifying the best ages and access points to provide every child with a library card", as well as exploring the possibility of a single library card in the future.

Sanderson also recommended taking steps to establish a stronger volunteer network for libraries.

The report does not address book stock and reading until its concluding paragraphs, when it notes that, while Sanderson doesn’t agree with all of library campaigner Tim Coates’ criticisms of the service’s priorities, "he is right to highlight the fundamental importance of a vibrant and refreshed book stock". She also says: "The relationship between publishers and libraries hasn’t always been a happy one, particularly with regard to e-books. Libraries Connected is already working on this and, more generally, there is a readiness on the part of the Publishers’ Association to work more collaboratively."

The arts minister has now committed to hosting a series of cross-government roundtable meetings every year to help address the challenges facing libraries, and to consider the ways in which public libraries can be recognised and included in future government policy work, the announcement said.

Lord Parkinson commented: “Baroness Sanderson shares my passion for libraries. Her excellent report captures that work and those ideas, and adds shrewd recommendations of her own, which I welcome and will take forward. Her review – and the contributions of everyone who took part in it – will inform our new strategy and help us to ensure that communities across the country can benefit from great public library services in the next few years, and for generations to come.”

Liz Jolly, chief librarian of the British Library, said: "We welcome the publication of the Sanderson Review and the Government’s response, which recognise the vital role of public libraries and the success of the thriving partnerships we’ve developed with the public library sector through the Business and IP Centre Network, the Living Knowledge Network, the Public Lending Right and LibraryOn. We look forward to working with DCMS and partners across the sector on the shared challenges and opportunities identified by Baroness Sanderson.’’

Isobel Hunter MBE, chief executive of Libraries Connected, welcomed the "thorough, wide-ranging review" and its recommendations for a national data hub, automatic enrollment for children and the creation of a Libraries Minister but warned that a long-term funding solution must be found.

"The underlying issue for the sector […] is underinvestment in the public library network, the result of successive cuts to council budgets, inflation and rising demand for other statutory services such as social care. For libraries to truly prosper and fulfil the potential outlined in Baroness Sanderson’s review, councils need a fairer, long-term funding solution. Without this, it is difficult to see how these recommendations can be fully implemented and resourced."

The review follows numerous predecessors, including the Sieghart Independent Library Report for England in 2014 and 2021’s Libraries Deliver: Ambition for Public Libraries 2016-2021.