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LISU is pleased to announce the release of the latest in its series of annual surveys of public library
spending. The survey, sponsored by Nielsen Book, gives details of spending in 2006/07 and the
latest budget estimates for 2007/08, for expenditure on a range of library materials as well as overall
spending, staffing levels, and numbers of libraries open.
So what are the key points to emerge from this year's survey?
Overall Expenditure
Looking at the UK as a whole, total library expenditure fell by 0.3% in 2006/07, with a further fall
predicted for 2007/08. However, there is considerable variation between authorities within this
overall total, and over a two-year period from 2005/06 to 2007/08, 13% of library authorities expect
total expenditure to increase by more than 10%. Although small, the reported fall in total spending is
particularly disappointing, given that, at this time last year, libraries were anticipating an increase of
3% in spending for 2006/07.
Materials Expense
Expenditure on materials fell by 1.5% in 2006/07, and a further fall of 2.3% is predicted for 2007/08.
Again, there is considerable variation between authorities, with 20% of respondents anticipating
increases of 10% or more between 2005/06 and 2007/08. Within this overall fall, spending on books
continues to decline slowly, and although spending on audio-visual materials (including electronic
resources) rose slightly in 2006/07, it is predicted to fall again in 2007/08, by 1.4%.
Staff Expenditure
Total reported staff numbers have fallen for the first time for many years, and are predicted to fall
further in 2007/08. Much of the decrease has been in professional staff, where numbers have fallen
by 4.1% this year, and are predicted to fall again by a further 6.6% in 2007/08. In 2006/07, 21.8% of
library staff had professional qualifications compared to 23.8% five years ago, and 24.7% in
1996/97.
Service Times
Sixteen authorities reported gaining a total of 28 service points open for 10 hours per week or more,
but 28 authorities reported closing (or reducing hours) a total of 63 service points, resulting in a net
loss of 35 libraries open for 10 hours per week or more across the UK. However, overall opening
hours have changed little as a result, although there are considerable variations between authorities,
as might be expected.
Printed copies are available from LISU, whilst
free downloads are available via the Nielsen marketing website: www.nielsenbookdata.co.uk.
Paul Dibble, Head of Data Sales at BookData, said: “Nielsen is delighted to continue supporting this
valuable report that LISU produces annually, particularly as there is such tremendous interest and
activity within the public library sector at this time. This report provides an extremely timely window on the state of expenditure within the public library sector and is essential reading for anyone
involved in or supplying services to UK Public Libraries.”
Claire Creaser, Director of LISU at Loughborough University, said: “The headline figures from this
report give a broad overview of public library spending on materials, but conceal a wide variation
between individual authorities. Although the overall picture is one of declining budgets, a number of
authorities have seen budget increases, in some cases substantial. There is a wealth of detail in this
report which deserves detailed study, and points to areas of good practice which could provide a
model for the future.”
The Public Library Materials Fund and Budget Survey is an essential source of information
which takes the pulse at key pressure points of the UK public library system. This report is an essential and trusted source of information for management, marketing and as a study aid.
The report is available to download free of charge.
Print copies are also available at £35.25
(ISBN: 978-1905499-22-9; A4) by contacting:
LISU, Loughborough University, Leics LE11 3TU
tel: +44 (0)1509 635 680, fax: +44 (0)1509 635 699,
email: lisu@lboro.ac.uk
or via BookNet TeleOrdering
Notes for the Editor:
Claire Creaser,
Director,
LISU,
Loughborough University, LE11 3TU,
tel: +44 (0)1509 635 682,
fax: +44 (0)1509 635 699,
email: c.creaser@lboro.ac.uk
Paul Dibble (Head of Data Sales) BookData or
Mo Siewcharran (Head of Marketing) at
Nielsen Book:
Paul Dibble tel: +44 (0)1483 712 274, email: Paul.Dibble@nielsen.com
Mo Siewcharran: tel: +44 (0)1483 712 300, email: Mo.Siewcharran@nielsen.com
About LISU
LISU is a national research and information centre based at the Department of Information Science at
Loughborough University. LISU comprises a team of experienced Information Managers, Statisticians,
Researchers and Administrators focusing on the analysis, development, interpretation and dissemination of
statistics, performance assessment measures and related management data. LISU seeks to contribute, in
appropriate ways, to good management practice in the various public and private sector agencies that make up
the strands of the information economy and cultural services.
About Nielsen Book
Nielsen Book has four key brands: Registration Agencies (ISBN, SAN, DOI), BookData, BookNet and
BookScan. Nielsen BookData is the leading provider of comprehensive, enriched and timely bibliographic data
worldwide. It provides a range of information services to booksellers, libraries and publishers in 110 countries
around the world. Nielsen BookNet provides value-added transaction services to the industry. Nielsen
BookScan operates the world’s only continuous retail monitoring service for English-language books in the UK,
Ireland, US, Australia, South Africa, Italy and Spain. The group employs more than 150 staff in the UK. The
company is wholly owned by The Nielsen Company, one of the world’s largest publishing and information
companies.
About The Nielsen Company
The Nielsen Company is a global information and media company with leading market positions and recognized brands in
marketing information (ACNielsen), media information (Nielsen Media Research), business publications (Billboard, The
Hollywood Reporter, Adweek) and trade shows. The privately held company has more than 42,000 employees and is active
in more than 100 countries, with headquarters in Haarlem, the Netherlands, and New York, USA.
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