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<p>Local authorities in England have a statutory duty to provide a comprehensive and
efficient library service, and it is for individual local authorities to decide how
to use their funds, including how best to provide a public library service that meets
local needs within available resources. DCMS works across central and local government
to encourage investment in libraries to ensure they can continue to support delivery
of local and national priorities and needs.</p><p>DCMS and the Local Government Association
established the Libraries Taskforce, which works to promote good practice and innovation
to assist library services and enable them to be sustainable for the long term. DCMS
provides funding to Arts Council England, as the development agency for libraries;
ACE is funding seven libraries organisations in its National Portfolio for 2018 to
2022 at a total annual spend of £1.6 million, including Libraries Connected as a sector
support organisation for libraries.</p><p>DCMS has also provided direct funding support
for library services in England, including a £2.6 million programme to support the
installation or upgrade of wifi in public libraries in England, and the £3.9m Libraries:
Opportunities for Everyone fund, to support innovative library service activity in
2017/18 to benefit disadvantaged people and places in England.</p>
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