This has lead to library closures, staff reductions, fewer opening hours and cuts to the bookfund. Although not all of these closures were finance driven, it is significant that the number of decisions made for financial reasons appears to be increasing. Of the libraries that remain, there is evidence that few library authorities have a strategy, structure and culture in place that is aimed at tackling exclusion. UK public libraries have also been criticised for their failure to engage with ethnic communities. According to legislation and policies, public libraries are considered to be amongst the basic public services.
All Finnish libraries offer access to the Internet free of charge.
Helsinki City Library was the first public library in the world to offer public access to the Internet. The state provides financial support to help public libraries gain access to the Internet. State funding is available to enable all public libraries to gain Internet access. In Sweden public libraries are the most widespread and well-visited cultural institutions. The task of the Swedish National Council for Cultural Affairs is to support and stimulate library activities, among other things to increase the libraries' chances of reaching new groups of library visitors.