Public Servant Lifestyle

It's official: Britain loves museums! A national survey has proved that almost two thirds of the population make use of museums, libraries and archives.

The recent survey shows that over a 12 month period, 64% of adults - almost two thirds of the UK population - visited a museum, a library or an archive. The Taking Part annual report, released by the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS), is the first single survey to collect information on the reasons why people like to visit museums, libraries and archives and why they don’t. It asks those who are not using these services what might encourage them to access them.

Pictured (right): Woman in black' Auguste Renoir (1876).

The report was funded by a partnership of Non Departmental Public Bodies, including the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council. Based on 28,117 face-to-face interviews with adults aged 16 or over. It shows that nearly two thirds of all adults have made use of a museum, library or archive over 12 months and illustrates what they find most appealing. Non-visitors were asked what deters them as well as what might change their minds and encourage them to add to the visitor numbers.

Key findings from Taking Part include:

(In the 12 months prior to the survey) 16.8 million adults in England had attended a museum/gallery

19.1 million adults in England had attended a library

50% of those visitors said they go to a library at least once a month

2.4 million adults visited an archive

71% of them said they attended once or twice a year

A significant finding shows that combining the data for recent attendance and attendance as a child demonstrates that those who were taken to museums and libraries as children had significantly higher recent attendance rates than those were not. The conclusion being that those who go to a museum or library as a child are more likely to visit as an adult.

The main reason for attendance for those who attended a museum over the past twelve months was ‘to see a specific exhibition or display; for libraries it was ‘to borrow, return or renew books’ and for archives, it was ‘to find out about family history’.

MLA Board Chairman Mark Wood said: “The report will be a very useful tool, the first of its kind, to focus work on the key areas of attracting more people into our wonderful museums, libraries and archives. It will also help to ensure that services meet the changing expectations and demands of their regular users.”

Although the data reveals that people engage with museums, libraries and archives at different stages of their lives, much work must be done to engage with non-users, such as those from ‘hard pressed’ neighbourhoods or black and minority ethnic backgrounds. The main reasons listed for non-attendance for museums, libraries and archives were ‘not really interested’ or ‘no need to go’. While the MLA is aware of barriers to use - part of its current policy programme is addressing this through programmes such as Renaissance for regional museums, Framework for the Future for libraries and Action for Archives - it will use this information to better understand what influences participation, as well as the barriers.

Chris Batt, Chief Executive of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), said: “The Taking Part results show us museums, libraries and archives are vital community spaces that develop education and skills and preserve our heritage for future generations. The findings are proof positive of the significance these institutions have in the everyday life of individuals in this country, as well as in future projects such as the cultural programme surrounding the Olympics.”

The MLA is relying upon sufficient funding in this year’s Comprehensive Spending Review so that museums, libraries and archives can continue to meet the needs of communities.

The MLA and the nine regional agencies work in partnership to provide strategic direction and leadership for museums, libraries and archives across England. Together these agencies work to improve people’s lives by building knowledge, supporting learning, inspiring creativity and celebrating identity. The Partnership acts collectively for the benefit of the museums and library sector and the public, leading the transformation of museums, libraries and archives for the future. For more information about the work of the MLA and the 'Designation' scheme, visit The Museum's, Libraries & Archives Council website.

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More information available in United Kingdom, Arts & Culture