Chris Smith, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, has welcomed the positive work being carried out by Coventry City Council’s library services, when he unveiled the first ever report on the future plans of England’s 149 library authorities.

Coventry’s annual libraries plan was ranked 11^th out of 149 local authorities and was highlighted for the modernisation of its services, which were ranked top among all metropolitan authorities.

Councillor Gillian Darby, Chair of Arts and Culture Policy Team, said:

"We are absolutely delighted. We are working hard to improve the quality of our library services and this news highlights the progress we are making. We are determined that our library services ensure social inclusion and public access to information and lifelong learning. We also want to provide educational support to children, students and lifelong learners of all ages. The City’s libraries have a significant role in modernising public services and we very much support the governments policy for this vital service."

The report categorises library services in each authority by five policy areas including: Service standards, social inclusion, modernisation and I.T networking, education and public access.

The report also said that Coventry was already clearly involved in ’planning for the future’

Mr Smith said that he was pleased with the overall standard of the future plans for local library services throughout the country but said some would be asked to carry out more plans, and that six would receive written warnings. He said:

"The government has a responsibility to ensure that local councils provide a comprehensive and efficient library service for all who desire it, and where unacceptable cuts are proposed we will act accordingly."