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<p>The Department for Culture, Media and Sport monitors closely proposed changes to
library service provision throughout England. The Department does not maintain detail
on the number of public libraries under review by local authorities, but based on
desk research we estimate that from January 2010 to January 2016 approximately 110
static public libraries in England closed completely.</p><p> </p><p>Public libraries
are funded and run by local authorities and it is a matter for local authorities to
determine how best to provide a comprehensive and efficient public library service
to their local community, within available resources.</p><p> </p><p>My Department,
together with the Local Government Association, has set up a Leadership for Libraries
Taskforce to help public libraries in England build on good practice and add value
for the communities they serve. The Taskforce is currently consulting on the attached
document at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/libraries-deliver-ambition-for-public-libraries-in-england-2016-2021
which sets out the ambition for public libraries in the future. Furthermore, thanks
to Government funding, free Wi-Fi is available to 99% of public libraries in England.</p>
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