Exhibit 6 : Summary of Public Library Standards and Best Value Performance Indicators

Best Returns

Best Value Guidance
for
Library Authorities in England

Exhibit 6

Summary of public library standards and best value performance indicators

Reference	Description	Standard
*Library authorities must enable convenient and suitable access for users of libraries*
PLS 1 i	Proportion of households living within a specified distance of a static library:
	Inner London Boroughs	100% within 1 mile
	Outer London Boroughs	99% within 1 mile
	Metropolitan Districts	95% within 1 mile or 100% within 2 miles
	Unitary Authorities	88% within 1 mile or 100% within 2 miles
	County Councils	85% within 2 miles
PLS 1 ii	Proportion of households living within a specified distance of a library open during convenient hours	not yet applicable
PLS 2 i	Proportion of planned time that service points were not available to visitors because of emergency closures of central and branch libraries	yet to be calculated
PLS 2 ii	Proportion of planned time that service points were not available to visitors because mobile library visits/stops were missed or cancelled	yet to be calculated
*Library authorities must provide adequate opening hours of libraries for users*
PLS 3	Aggregate opening hours per 1,000 population for all libraries	128 annual hours
PLS 4	Percentage of larger libraries open at least 45 hours a week	yet to be calculated
*Library authorities must enable electronic access for library users*
PLS 5	Percentage of libraries open more than 10 hours a week that have access to on-line catalogues	100% of static service points
PLS 6 i	Total number of electronic workstations available to users per 1,000 population	6 per 10,000 population
PLS 6 ii	Percentage of static service points providing public internet access	100% by 31 Dec 2002
*Library authorities must ensure satisfactory services for the issuing and reserving of books*
PLS 7	Normal book issue period	minimum 3 weeks
PLS 8	Number of books that library users are allowed to borrow at one time	maximum 8 books
PLS 9 i	Percentage of requests for books met within 7 days	50%
PLS 9 ii	Percentage of requests for books met within 15 days	70%
PLS 9 iii	Percentage of requests for books met within 30 days	85%
*Library authorities must encourage the use made of the public library service*
PLS 10	Number of visits to the library website per 1,000 population	yet to be calculated
PLS 11	Number of [physical] library visits per 1,000 population:
	Inner London Boroughs	7,650 or 6,800 enhanced population
	Outer London Boroughs	8,600
	Metropolitan Districts	6,000
	Unitary Authorities	6,300
	County Councils	6,600
BVPI 117	The number of physical visits per 1,000 population to public library premises
*Library authorities must ensure user satisfaction with the services provided*
PLS 12 i	Percentage of adult library users reporting success in obtaining a specific book	65%
PLS 12 ii	Percentage of child library users reporting success in obtaining a specific book	65%
PLS 13 i	Percentage of adult library users reporting success in gaining information as a result of a search or enquiry	75%
PLS 13 ii	Percentage of child library users reporting success in gaining information as a result of a search or enquiry	75%
PLS 14 i	Percentage of adult library users rating the knowledge of staff as “good” or “very good”	95%
PLS 14 ii	Percentage of child library users rating the knowledge of staff as “good” or “very good” (same as PLS 15 ii)	95%
PLS 15 i	Percentage of adult library users rating the helpfulness of staff as “good” or “very good”	95%
PLS 15 ii	Percentage of child library users rating the helpfulness of staff as “good” or “very good” (same as PLS 14 ii)	95%
*Library authorities must provide choice in books and materials made available to users*
PLS 16	Quality index for stock	to be developed in 2001/2
PLS 17	Annual items added through purchase per 1,000 population	216 per 1,000 population
PLS 18	Time taken to replenish the lending stock on open access or available for loan	8.5 years
PLS 19 i	Numbers of staff per 1,000 population with appropriate information management qualifications	yet to be calculated
PLS 19 ii	Numbers of staff per 1,000 population with appropriate ICT qualifications	yet to be calculated
*BVPI - Strategic objective*
BVPI 114	The adoption by the authority of a local culture strategy
*BVPI - Cost/efficiency*
BVPI 115	The cost per physical visit to public libraries
BVPI 116	Spending per head of population on cultural and recreational facilities and activities