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<p>Local authorities in England have a statutory duty under the Public Libraries and
Museums Act 1964 (1964 Act) to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service.
Under the 1964 Act, the Secretary of State 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>The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport provides
funding to Arts Council England which supports public libraries in England including
through the Arts Council’s Grants for the Arts programme. Funding for seven libraries
organisations are in the Arts Council’s National Portfolio for 2018 to 2022, including
the Society of Chief Librarians as a sector support organisation for libraries.</p><p>
</p><p>In addition, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and the Local
Government Association established the Libraries Taskforce. In December 2016, the
Taskforce published ‘Libraries Deliver: Ambition for Public Libraries in England 2016-2021’,
which sets out a vision for library services in England. The Government is working
with the Taskforce to promote good practice and innovation to assist library services
and enable them to be sustainable for the long term.</p>
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