WIREDGOV

How do museums, libraries and archives help deliver local priorities?
 
A research study commissioned by the MLA provides valuable evidence of the role museums, libraries and archives can play in meeting Local Area Agreement (LAA) targets.
 
The study identifies the contribution of the sector to the outcome of the 2008 LAAs.  It provides a useful analysis of how museum, library and archive services best become strategically engaged, and the barriers that get in the way.
 
The report highlights how museums, libraries and archives contribute most to the achievement of priorities of building stronger communities; children and young people; and promoting adult health and wellbeing. It shows 70% of upper tier local authorities are using libraries to deliver their local priorities through LAAs and Sustainable Community Strategies; 57% using museums and 17% are using archives.
 
Roy Clare, MLA Chief Executive said: "Good museum, library and archive services are at the heart of local communities, contributing to the quality of life across the board.  The best managers understand how museums, libraries and archives can contribute to the bigger picture, and are active in their authorities making sure this happens.”
 
The full research report, ‘The Role of Museums, Libraries and Archives and Local Area Agreements' is available to download from http://research.mla.gov.uk/evidence/view-publication.php?dm=nrm&pubid=956
 
 
The MLA can support local councils and the sector in providing sustainable services for all through our regional teams, to find out more visit http://www.mla.gov.uk/about/region or email info@mla.gov.uk .

Sunita Sharma+44 (0)207 273 8299, sunita.sharma@mla.gov.uk

related links

• research

  Research is a vital part of the MLA's work, designed to produce the evidence to discover what impact our sector makes and what can be done differently.

• local government

  Local government runs public libraries and local archives, and own or fund many local museums.