Abstract
This paper examines the expenditure in recent years on public libraries of different kinds in the context of the constraints placed on such expenditure by rising costs. It concludes by attempting to assess the net growth of expenditure on public libraries and looks at this growth in relation to published standards. Available data indicate that expenditure on public libraries has grown more slowly than that on other libraries. Expenditure on books and staff has risen more rapidly than their cost, Since the Public Libraries and Museums Act, I964, public libraries have improved considerably their position relative to the standards set oict in Standards of public library service in England and Wales (HMSO 1962).
The views and opinions expressed in this paper are those of the Working Party and not necessarily those of the Secretary of State.
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