Will the Welsh Government publish full staffing level figures in libraries per 10,000 of the resident population for each local authority?
The performance of public libraries, including levels of staffing, are monitored annually through the Welsh Public Library Standards. Each authority is provided with detailed feedback and my officials meet with individual authorities where there are specific areas of concern to discuss these issues and to offer advice and support. The Welsh Government provides some support to enable public library staff to obtain professional qualifications and undertake professional development activities.
The Welsh Government is also supporting local libraries to develop more collaborative and efficient ways of working to strengthen resilience, such as through the implementation of a shared Library Management System.
Staffing levels figures in libraries per 10,000 of the resident population for each local authority, alongside the levels of staff who have recognised qualifications in librarianship, information science or information management have recently been released by the Welsh Government as a result of a Freedom of Information request.