A total of 1,111 posts were reported by 99 authorities, compared to 1,054 by 91 authorities last year. Ten percent of services which responded reported no librarians in professional posts in schools, and this proportion has remained unchanged for three years. All are in the metropolitan districts, English unitary authorities and Wales. Non-book provision for children and within the children's library is becoming increasingly complex. Most authorities have talking books available in the children's library, and in three quarters of them there is no loan charge.
Videos are available in three quarters of authorities, but a charge is generally made.
Other areas where there are considerable differences between the sectors include provision of parents' collections, materials in minority languages, and teachers' tickets. The next block of tables gives details of the total resources held in children's libraries, and the use made of these resources. Bookstock per capita is highest in London at 3.1 books per child, and lowest in Northern Ireland at 1.2. The metropolitan districts, English unitaries, English counties and Northern Ireland all fall below the national average of 2.1 books per child. London also has the highest per capita figures for stock on loan, additions and issues.