Department for Culture Media and Sport
staff and buildings
Leadership/Workforce Development
The Museums, Libraries & Archives Council (MLA) has developed a national workforce development strategy for the three sectors and is working with a leading training provider, FPM, to provide development opportunities for current and aspiring leaders. The strategy is arranged under four key priorities: Leadership and skills, Workforce composition, Empowering learning and change and Research.
Buildings
Each library authority is responsible for its own public library buildings. DCMS believes they should all be fit for the needs of 21st century library users and must be welcoming and open to everyone.
The picture across the 151 authorities is patchy and the Third Report of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee into public libraries was critical of the condition of library buildings in England.
A number of very good library buildings have opened in recent years. Many of these feature on the MLA funded website, Designing Libraries which aims to encourage good practice in library design. The CABE, Better Public Libraries and 21st Century Libraries reports also stressed the need and benefits of good design.
DCMS has contributed around £130m PFI credits in library and part library projects in the last PFI bid rounds. In October 2007 successful applicants to The Big Lottery Fund Community Libraries Programme were announced. 58 authorities received a share of £80m to build or renovate libraries that will help deliver community based services by engaging local people.
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