A recent analysis by the BBC has found that over 180 council-run libraries in the UK have either closed or been transferred to volunteer groups since 2016. The data reveals that more deprived communities were four times more likely to have lost a publicly-funded library since then, and that at least 2,000 jobs across the libraries sector have been cut. Numerous other such closures could happen over the coming year, the BBC found.
The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) has stated that library visits have increased significantly in the 2022-2023 period, with an increase of 71%. However, its CEO, Rob Whiteman, claims that funding levels have not kept up with the rising demand for the services provided by libraries. Governments have pledged to recognise the pressures on library services and to give stability back to local councils.
Many towns have been forced to close public libraries due to a lack of funding, with the country having lost one in twenty since 2016. In addition to complete closures, further libraries have reduced hours, and areas with the highest levels of deprivation have been disproportionately affected. Meanwhile, wealthier areas have largely been unaffected, demonstrating how decreases in funding also lead to economic inequality.
In some areas, locals have stepped in to help keep their local libraries going, depending on volunteers to run the services. Despite these efforts, some community groups report that they have struggled to keep the same level of service going without taxpayer funding. Critics argue that volunteer-run libraries are not as sustainable as state-run ones and not always able to offer the same standard of service
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