Regional lending libraries between tradition and change : 1986-1987's statistics

French Direction du livre et de la lecture published in august 1990, 86-87' statistics about regional lending libraries : first national data after libraries' transfer from state to departements in January 1986. So is changing the way in collecting statistics. Comparing with the previous periods is difficult. It seems that changing in libraries' authorities had no brutal consequences; in fact, changes started at the beginning of the eighties, when departements began to contribute to fundings, as well as state authority went on helping libraries buildings. During 86-87, fundings are increasing, but so are geographical inequalities. Scholar services are a heavy charge on regional lending libraries' activities, but help to municipal libraries is increasing too. In their present form, statistics are not so useful in measuring performances; they'll have to be modified.
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