Libraries Development provides professional advice to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government in relation to all aspects of public library services including the capital grants programme, public library development and staffing.

The Libraries Development team investigates and evaluates new and emerging trends and services in public library service development internationally and within the EU and provides professional advice to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and to local authorities. The current focus includes RFID technology, eBooks, open and linked data and digital preservation. The team are also currently working with the Department on the next five year strategy for the public library service.

Libraries Development is consulted on new EU and national legislation, Community Directives, professional education and qualifications and other areas of professional regulation.

The team also provides the Department with statistics on public library authority expenditure. These are based on returns provided by all 32 library authorities.