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<p>Local authorities in England have a statutory duty to provide a comprehensive and
efficient library service that meets local needs. The Secretary of State for Digital,
Culture, Media and Sport also has a duty to superintend, and promote the improvement
of, the public library service provided by local authorities in England, and to secure
the proper discharge by local authorities of their library authority functions.</p><p>
</p><p>DCMS takes the statutory duty seriously and monitors proposed changes to library
service provision throughout England. Where DCMS receives a complaint that a local
authority may be failing to meet its duty, we will carefully consider the evidence
before deciding if a local inquiry is needed. The Department is currently handling
eight complaints to determine whether the changes to library service provision mean
that these are no longer providing comprehensive and efficient library services.</p>
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