Library collection management and development policy

Introduction

1.1 Lancashire County Council delivers a statutory public library service across the administrative county of Lancashire through 64 library buildings, 5 mobile libraries and a home library service. It also serves 5 prison libraries, while the Schools Library Service provides a paid for service to schools in Lancashire and the neighbouring authorities of Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen.

1.2 The Lancashire Library service [hereafter the service] operates within the framework of the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 ‘to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service for all persons’ for all those who live, work or study in the area'; and under the Local Government Act 1972.

1.3 The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, as superintending authority for the provision of library services in England, requires that, in drawing up and delivering library strategies and plans, councils should consider various legal obligations, including:

• Equality Act 2010, including the Public Sector Equality Duty
• Best Value Duty 2011
• Localism Act 2011
• Human Rights Act 1998

In addition, the service operates in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Data Protection Act 2018 and copyright legislation.

1.4 Lancashire's library collections are managed in accordance with its own approved policies and procedures. These comply with the Libraries Connected framework of standards and best practice guidance and follow the Code of Ethics of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) and other professional best practice statements.

1.5  The collections support the delivery of the Libraries Connected Universal Offers, the Vision and Print Impaired People's Promise and The Children’s Promise. They also support Reading Agency programmes in Lancashire, and projects funded by Arts Council England, the development agency for libraries.  

1.6 This policy is informed by the current Lancashire County Council Library strategy and the vision, strategies and documents which have shaped it.       

1.7 The vision for Lancashire Libraries is 'a library service which is embedded and flourishing at the heart of Lancashire communities and community life, and which makes a difference through reading, information, digital, health, learning and culture.'

1.8 The purpose of Lancashire Libraries is enriching lives in Lancashire.

1.9 This Library collection management and development policy outlines how the service ensures that the library collections are accessible to people who live, work and study in Lancashire, and are relevant and responsive to the changing needs of local communities and individuals.