In response to the current debate on the future of libraries The Reading Agency believes:

If you dig deeper into the statistics about library use, a different picture emerges from the one of decline. It's not at all a straightforward picture of a decline in public interest and take up. Children and young people's use is steady, according to the latest DCMS Taking Part statistics. While CIPFA library statistics, May 2010, identify that children's book borrowing has risen for five years running and web visits have risen by 50%.

We must analyze what's working for the public and build on these successful trends. The evidence shows that where libraries offer a more dynamic, interactive reading service the public respond with alacrity. Two of The Reading Agency's most successful programmes the Summer Reading Challenge for children, and the Six Book Challenge for emergent adult readers prove this.

The best libraries offer reading groups and challenges, author events, baby rhyme times, and are working with a variety of partners such as adult learning services, health care providers, publishers, schools, fostering services and prisons to deliver value added and targeted resources. The social consequences of this more active approach are profound. The effort focused on changing the children's service should be applied to adults.

In tough financial times, we cannot afford to undercut libraries' ability to create a nation of readers, our literacy skills deficit is already too large. The scale of cuts means the library network is unlikely to survive in its current shape, so prioritizing and innovating will be key. The challenge is to scale up what's working, and support the development of a dynamic, modernised reading service, that captures the interest of the public.

We must not lose sight of libraries' radical social purpose. They are about creating a fairer society and vital community focal points. They help people become skilled readers, with major implications for their life chances. They should not be a soft target for cuts.

Read full Press Release

We'll be exploring how we can help libraries work more efficiently. One of our trustees Nicky Parker is Head of Transformation in Manchester City Council. In a recent speech at the Remodelling Libraries conference she said "The Reading Agency is an important partner in every UK library authority. The Reading Agency is innovating and modeling new ways of working that is really making a difference to people's lives. It's training the library workforce, helping library services become more efficient by encouraging joint procurement and enabling major partnerships with stakeholders like the BBC and publishers.

"I hope The Reading Agency will continue to test the boundaries as we push library development and efficiency work and innovation nationally. These are the very things that encouraged me to become a Trustee in the first place. "

We were delighted that Ed Vaizey said that he would like to involve The Reading Agency in this. We think we have much to offer as a model for helping libraries make more impact despite diminishing resources. We look forward to injecting our innovative approaches, and to finding the right way to support this important work.

It was great to hear Ed speaking warmly about our work at two July events, praising "the really impressive Summer Reading Challenge" and "absolutely fantastic Reading Partners initiative showing how libraries and publishers can enhance each others' work."

One in six adults in this country struggle with reading and writing - with major social and economic consequences. And yet millions play games every day which already involve them in reading and could help them develop their literacy skills. On 25 June we published a report on gaming and challenged the industry to harness its power to make a difference for those with literacy needs. Read full press release.

Download Library statistics 2008/2009

"Unless it's clear what the public are entitled to they can't campaign for better local libraries. We think the Library Review's concept of a "core national offer" to the consumer is great, and is something we've been pushing for. Free internet access as part of it is critical.

"It's also a big step forward that the core offer includes reading groups and activities. The best libraries now offer a much more participative reading service with real social impact, and public demand for this is growing."

"The Reading Agency has some new campaigns about to start - to spread reading through volunteering, reading groups and health partnerships - which will provide concrete support for libraries in delivering this objective."

On structural issues, Miranda said:

"Structurally the Review is in danger of missing some tricks. At national government level library policy and finance is still split across two different departments."

On the proposal to create a new strategic body for libraries, she added:

"Beefing up libraries' national development capacity is important. But it would be criminal if the proposed new body wasted vital funds reinventing the wheel.

"We hope those setting up the body will build on new efficient ways of working established by The Reading Agency. Our shared reading programmes help libraries work together to give the public better value. And our partnerships with publishers, broadcasters and others are levering in new investment while improving what's on offer to the public locally.

The results from this work are illustrated by The Reading Agency's growth figures for 2009 which show the public's demand for new reading services:

• 725,000 children now taking part in the Summer Reading Challenge (up from 690,000 in 2008)
• 24% growth in number of Chatterbooks children's reading groups (now up to 566)
• 39% increase in average attendance at author events in libraries
• 32 publishers now involved in the Reading Partners consortium setting out to revolutionise the library/publisher relationship (from 5 in 2004)
• 27% increase in uptake for adult literacy initiative, the Six Book Challenge

Read the full government review at The Modernisation Review of Public Libraries: A Policy Statement