Public Libraries: Closures
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many public libraries have closed in each of the last ten years.
Answered by Chris Bryant
DCMS estimates the number of static libraries that have permanently closed (and not been replaced by or relocated to a new static library) in England in each of the last 10 years is as follows:
Calendar Year | Estimated Permanent Static Library Closures |
2014 | 7 |
2015 | 19 |
2016 | 20 |
2017 | 35 |
2018 | 26 |
2019 | 17 |
2020 | 14 |
2021 | 17 |
2022 | 17 |
2023 | 9 |
This data is DCMS estimates based upon Arts Council England’s basic library dataset for 2023. The ACE dataset details the status (statutory and non-statutory) and operational models of each library including whether they are local authority run, community run, commissioned by the local authority to a separate trust or organisation, or delivered by alternative methods. The dataset can be found at the following link: https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/supporting-arts-museums-and-libraries/supporting-libraries
ACE’s 2024 basic library dataset is due to be published shortly.
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