Funding levels for libraries decline sharply

Spending on libraries in Britain has fallen by 17%, new statistics show.

Official figures released by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), show that £9,982 was spent per 1,000 people on libraries by central and local government in England, Scotland and Wales in 2021/2022. 

This figure represents a significant reduction from the 2020/2021 rate of £11,970 and the £12,646 spent in 2018/2019.

The money libraries made decreased in the same period, The Guardian reported, falling 24% from £868 per 1,000 people in 2020/2021 to £660 in 2021/2022.

During the same period, in-person visits to libraries increased by 68%, from 915 per 1,000 people in 2020/2021 to 1,536 in 2021/2022. 

The number of books borrowed also increased by 58%, from 1,119 per 1,000 people to 1,767.

Web visits fell by 8% as people returned to borrowing physical books after borrowing a larger number of ebooks during the pandemic. 

“The fact that in-person visits are recovering shows demand for library services is still strong,” said Rob Whiteman, Chief Executive of CIPFA.

“Libraries are clearly still valuable to the communities they serve but given the drop in their income, sustained funding is crucial if they are to continue to be a vital part of the community.”

He said the growth in library visits was “encouraging… but the same cannot be said for funding and income levels, which still lag behind”, adding that “libraries are certainly facing a difficult road ahead”.