Public libraries: what new councillors need to know
Congratulations on being elected as a new councillor. This page gives you the essentials about public libraries – a statutory service that plays a vital role in your community.
We understand that your first weeks in office as a new councillor will be hectic, so we've kept this short. If you want to explore any of the points below in more depth, please get in touch with us or your libraries team.
We urge you to visit your local libraries as soon as you can to see for yourself!
Libraries Connected
We are an independent charity that supports, promotes and represents public libraries. Our work is driven and led by our membership, which includes almost every library service in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Crown Dependencies.
Facts and figures
- There are around 3,000 public libraries (static and mobile) in England, most of which are run directly by local authorities (Arts Council England basic dataset 2023). Across the whole of the UK there are approximately 4,000.
- In England and Wales, approximately 78% of the population are within a 30-minute walk of a public library (Access to local amenities in England and Wales from the Office for National Statistics, Ordnance Survey, 2024).
- Across the UK, 87% of people know where their nearest public library is (poll conducted by Survation on behalf of Libraries Connected, 2024)
See more on our Facts and figures page
What libraries do
When public libraries first opened in the 1850s, their mission was to inform and inspire, to open up opportunities, expand horizons and help people realise their potential – and that still holds true today.
Reading is at the heart of it all - whether it's for pleasure, personal development or to gain new skills. Every library offers thousands of books, ebooks and audiobooks, as well as newspapers, magazines, reference materials and learning tools.
More recently public libraries have built on and expanded this traditional role to offer:
- Free wi-fi, PCs and help with digital skills
- Events and activities for families and children
- Guidance for small businesses and entrepreneurs
- Exhibitions and creative experiences
- Support finding a job or learning new skills
- Advice on housing, benefits and other local services
Why libraries matter
Libraries have a major impact across several areas, including:
- Early literacy and child development: supporting children's reading and communication skills through dedicated children's libraries, rhymetimes, family activities and the Summer Reading Challenge
- Health and wellbeing: offering safe spaces, social connection and access to trusted health information
- Economic growth: providing digital access, business advice, skills development and support for jobseekers
- Stronger communities: offering free, welcoming spaces where everyone can connect, learn and feel part of the community
Research estimates that public libraries in England generate £3.4 billion of social value each year, with a return on investment of at least six times their running costs.
A front door to council services
Libraries are trusted, easy-to-find and deeply rooted in their communities. Which means they’re often the most cost-effective way to deliver information and services. They help people get support early – which can reduce pressure on more expensive services later on. For all the services you want to deliver into communities, libraries can help save costs and simplify access for local people.
Your legal duties
Libraries are a statutory service. Councils must provide a "comprehensive and efficient library service" under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964. It is up to each council to design and deliver a library service that meets the needs of its communities.
DCMS guidance: Libraries as a statutory service