Libraries urged to borrow fresh ideas

The most comprehensive review of the public library service for 50 years, published yesterday, recommends the introduction of "hyperlibraries", Sunday opening, and library kiosks on motorway service stations.

To the relief of the library community the National Heritage Department's Review of the Public Library Service in England and Wales avoided recommending a charge for book borrowing, at present free by law. Stephen Dorrell, the Heritage Secretary, was quick to emphasise that he had no intention of charging.

But the study also called for a central agency to collect library fines and charges for lost books. These often go unpursued either as a result of local authority policy, or because it is too expensive. Such an agency "would be akin to that already used by local authorities to recover parking fines", says the study.

It also recommends that all libraries be connected to the information superhighway, including the Internet and the World Wide Web, using "infrastructure investment outside existing sources of funding".

On a more basic level, kiosks or micro-libraries should be introduced in places such as shopping centres, railway and bus stations and motorway service areas. That could offer "opportunities for partnership ventures with the private sector".

On Sunday opening, the report calls for a study by library authorities of the days and hours when libraries are open.

It also wants an independent library inspectorate - a proposal which Mr Dorrell said immediately he had no intention of implementing.

In deference to the hostility attracted by its recommendation to establish five "hyperlibraries" - central libraries linked to local libraries by computer - in its draft report last year, it urges the creation of only one or two in a pilot scheme.

Other recommendations include the introduction of services for "latch- key children" and gift vouchers to buy services. Smart cards could improve the speed of transactions and a staff college could be created to attract high-calibre recruits.

But the library service said yesterday that the review was fatally flawed because it did not suggest where the additional funding would come from for the proposals. Most notably, the review failed to take the opportunity to call for public libraries to be given access to National Lottery money.

Keith Crawshaw, director of leisure services for Sheffield, said: "It's pointing to a brave new world which I think most librarians would welcome but the everyday reality is buildings which are falling down and leaking roofs."

The report was downplayed by the Heritage Department, which has been sitting on it for three months. Officials claimed it was not important.

News Analysis, page 17