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 1997-98 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 2004 LIST

Resources and operations; Expenditure; Acquisitions; The library profession by occupation

Lending; Staff, opening etc.; Use; Demographics of adult public library visitors; Proportion of adult library users borrowing books; Most borrowed fiction titles; Category analysis; Over one million; Services to children

Expenditure; Staff and users; Information provision; Use; Average prices of British academic books

Book prices; UK publishing of books 2003; Periodical prices

Total number of visits per annum in National and public service organisations

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

Resources 2002; Public library support services to schools

Median budgets and staff

Archive services; Expenditure and income

The 2004 LIST was compiled by Sally Maynard and Helen Greenwood and published by

LISU

at Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU
Telephone: +44 (0)1509 635680
Fax: +44 (0)1509 635699
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 2004 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