PUBLIC LIBRARIES

Early day motion 390, tabled 14 February 2000 by Linda Perham (Labour). Signed by 190 members.

That this House notes that it is 150 years since the first reading of the Public Libraries Act enabling town councils to establish public libraries; applauds the great contribution made to people's lives by public libraries in terms of literacy and lifelong learning and engendering a love of books and acknowledges the vital part played in local communities by libraries over the last 150 years; further agrees that libraries of all kinds have an essential and continuing role to play in the new century as the information society unfolds; and lastly, congratulates the Library Association, the chartered body for librarians and information managers on the contribution of its members to our nation's cultural, educational, scientific and literary life.

Signatures by party: Labour 136, Liberal Democrat 23, Conservative 15, Labour/Co-operative 12, UUP 2, Independent Labour 1, Plaid Cymru 1.