The main purpose of these statistics is to give a broad overall perspective of the library and information scene in the UK.

In some tables historical data for 1995-96 are included for comparison. Figures in italics are estimates based on incomplete data and feature considerable uncertainty. A dash or blank indicates that a statistic is unavailable or not significant.

Contents of the 2002 LIST

Resources and operations; Expenditure; Acquisitions; The library profession by occupation; Inter-library lending; Demographics of adult public library visitors.

Lending; Staff, opening etc.; Use; Public library books borrowed; Category analysis; Loans over 1 million; Services to Children.

Expenditure; Staff and users; Information provision; Use.

Resources and Operations; Breakdown of income.

National Library of Wales; National Library of Scotland; The British Library.

Source of requests; Facts and Figures (demand and methods of requesting).

Expenditure; Resources and Operations.

Operations.

Book prices; UK publishing of books 2001; Books published; Periodical prices.

The 2002 LIST was compiled by Sally Maynard and published by

Library & Information Statistics Unit (LISU)

at Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU
Telephone: +44 (0)1509 223071
Fax: +44 (0)1509 223072
E-mail: lisu@lboro.ac.uk

from whom further copies can be obtained.

Queries and suggestions for future versions are welcome, and should be addressed to Sally Maynard.

See the following LISU publications for further information relating to the 2002 LIST:

LISU Annual Library Statistics

Average Prices of British/USA Academic Books

Public Library Materials Funds and Budget Survey

A Survey of Library Services to Schools and Children in the UK

A Survey of NHS Libraries: Statistics from the NHS Regional Librarians Group.