Libraries Taskforce

Libraries Taskforce
Name	Libraries Taskforce
Formation	2013
Type	Advisory body
Headquarters	London
Region served	United Kingdom
Parent organization	Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Contents

Libraries Taskforce The Libraries Taskforce was a UK-based advisory group established to coordinate national policy on public libraries, digital access, and cultural heritage preservation. It operated alongside bodies such as the British Library, the Arts Council England, the National Archives, the Local Government Association and the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals, seeking partnerships with the BBC, the Wellcome Trust, the Heritage Lottery Fund and regional authorities including Greater London Authority, Glasgow City Council and Cardiff Council. The Taskforce drew on expertise aligned with institutions like Oxford University, Cambridge University, University of Manchester, British Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum.

Background and Establishment

The Taskforce was set up following policy reviews influenced by reports from the DCMS Select Committee, the Society of Chief Librarians, the Local Government Association and commentary in publications such as the Guardian and the Times Literary Supplement. Its creation responded to pressures linked to austerity-era decisions exemplified in debates involving Cabinet Office ministers, parliamentary inquiries such as those led by MPs from constituencies like Birmingham Edgbaston, and strategic frameworks advanced by the National Literacy Trust and the Sainsbury Review. Founding dates and remit were announced in statements alongside officials from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and endorsing organisations including the British Library, the Arts Council England and the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals.

The Taskforce aimed to promote resilient public library services in the face of funding changes highlighted during consultations with stakeholders such as the Local Government Association, campaign groups like Save Our Libraries, and research centres at London School of Economics and University College London. Objectives included improving digital inclusion in partnership with technology actors such as BT Group, TalkTalk Group, Microsoft and Google UK, supporting literacy initiatives associated with the National Literacy Trust and the BBC Local, and strengthening cultural programmes linked to the British Museum, the National Trust, the Imperial War Museums and the Royal Society of Arts.

Governance structures reflected cross-sector representation with board and steering members drawn from the British Library, the Arts Council England, local authorities like Manchester City Council and Edinburgh City Council, professional bodies including the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals and higher education institutions such as the Open University and King's College London. Advisory input came from figures connected to organisations like the Wellcome Trust, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the National Archives, the Society of Chief Librarians and independent experts affiliated with think tanks including the Institute for Public Policy Research and the Centre for Cities. Secretariat functions were provided by officials seconded from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and administrative partners drawn from local government networks like the County Councils Network.

Initiatives included national frameworks to support community hub models in collaboration with bodies such as the Local Government Association, pilot schemes for digital participation run with BT Group and Microsoft, and reading promotion programmes linked to the National Literacy Trust, BookTrust and the Reading Agency. Projects addressed heritage-led activities with partners like the British Museum, the National Archives and the Royal Society of Arts, workforce development coordinated with the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals and research collaborations with academic centres at University College London, University of Sheffield and University of Glasgow. The Taskforce also facilitated cross-sector partnerships, connecting libraries to cultural festivals such as the Hay Festival and policy fora including events organized by the Institute for Government.

Evaluations cited outcomes in areas of increased digital access in pilot localities such as Blackpool, Bradford, Newcastle upon Tyne and Bristol, improvements to reading engagement indicated by surveys from the National Literacy Trust and uptake of community services documented by the Local Government Association. Impact assessments referenced collaborative reports involving the British Library, the Arts Council England and research units at King's College London and University College London. Long-term effects were measured against indicators from national datasets administered by the Office for National Statistics and benchmarking exercises promoted by the Society of Chief Librarians.

Critics from campaign groups such as Save Our Libraries and commentators in outlets like the Guardian argued the Taskforce's recommendations did not fully offset cuts implemented by councils including Derbyshire County Council and Oxfordshire County Council, nor resolve tensions highlighted in parliamentary debates at the House of Commons and inquiries by the Public Accounts Committee. Some heritage organisations, including representatives from the British Library and the National Archives, raised concerns about resource allocation and long-term funding sustainability, while analysts at think tanks such as the Institute for Public Policy Research and the Adam Smith Institute debated the balance between central coordination and local autonomy. Disputes also emerged over metrics used in evaluation reports produced in collaboration with academic partners at University College London and University of Sheffield.