This may be of interest too:
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/fe...ic-funding

"The [national] campaign [to protect the library service from cuts] has called on MPs to sign an early day motion to support libraries and librarians, including enforcing the law that says local authorities must provide a comprehensive and efficient library service, which goes back to the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964."

Given that ....
"Library funding has been cut by more than £180m over the last five years – a drop of 16% – corresponding with a 93% increase in volunteers working in libraries and a 22% drop in staff since 2010. "

and ....
"More than 100 libraries were closed last year in the UK, with at least 441 shutting in the past five years, according to figures from Speak Up for Libraries "

... you have to conclude that the libraries are comprehensively and efficiently being decimated, which probably wasn't quite what they had in mind in 1964. Worrying days.