I feel a bit sad about this.

[MathsMadMummy]

my mum is a librarian and told me about the budget cuts to libraries (fair enough, everyone's suffering, no reason they should be excluded) but she's quite sad that the majority of the cuts are specifically from children's services.

isn't that a bit backwards? I thought children were the future, aren't they worth investing in?

not that mum really gets to do much librarying anyway - too much time teaching people how to use computers and helping people do their NHS choose-and-book thing etc... hardly any books in the library anymore

Which county does she work in?

greater london (bromley)

We're doing the book trail at the moment but there are hardly any books to choose from. DD has gone a level down as the only choice at her level are doctor who books or some other very boyish author and a handful of other boring looking books.

I work in London for a children's service - massive cuts all over ... we are expecting more by December and more the April after.

it really sucks. of course I understand that the govt has no money, but it just seems like they have strange priorities, especially with the cuts to children's services

I am so glad in Crawley we got a new library a couple of years ago before the big cuts, it's fantastic with loads of choice.

The main funding goes into adult services (roads etc) because the elderly and children are not seen as a priority due to the fact that they are not tax payers (it's stupid, an old lecturer told me this)

oh I see - that's depressing.

though I meant specifically in the library budget (presumably this doesn't cover roads?!) - I thought libraries were important for children mostly, especially if they don't get much help with literacy etc at home?

those who can't speak upwon't complain...

but on the contrary I saw my local library selling cheaply lots and lots of books in recent years

they weren't very good as they looked fairly new and unread

I wonder who ordered them in the first place...

I saw a fantastic library on the TV recently - think it was in Hillingdon - where they've put a coffee shop in it, amongst other things, and usage has gone through the roof. I wish all councils could be as creative and forward-thinking.

What specific aspects will be cut, do you know MMM?

I'm in Bromley, and would be really sad if the summer reading schemes and the baby bounce and story time sessions were cut. Just got back from our local branch with stamped space hop cards and trading cards. Good couple of hours killed and the children happy and engaged.

I do think that there were some seriously weird decisions here re: book stocks in the 80s. Loads of really good quality childrens books sold off. Good for me in that my mum bought loads, including most Antonia Forest books that are now out of print. Bad for children because there just seems to be a massive preponderance of the "fairy" range of books, magic unicorn stuff or doctor who.

Oh and Bromley has an appalling record when it comes to the young and the elderly. Used to be in Private Eye "rotten boroughs" week after week because of the care homes scandal. And child services definitely low on the list of priorities.

my mum is the manager of shortlands library, I'm not sure of anything more specific than 'children's services' though. I hope it's not baby bounce etc as she normally runs hers and loves it. she does all the crafty stuff too.

I don't really know what adult library services there are that are more important than children's ones, really. but maybe I'm biased as I have young children?

I remember enquiring about Enid Blyton books for mydaughter fewyearsag - they had hardly any

apaprently out of fasion in libraries nowadays

asa result we collected most of her books buying in car boot sales etc

It sucks. I'm gutted about the cuts. Furious.

It is crap.Out of interest, why don't libraries advertise for second hand books? They could keep what they wanted and sell the rest to raise funds or donate them on. I gave all my books to my local library when I left Ireland and very pleased they were. I think lots of people would happily pass on children's books, tapes and DVDs.

Have they not cut free swimming for children too? We'll all be sorry in ten years when great big unfit non-readers are running things

aaah, but those with money will pay for books & swimming lessons, so that ensures that the unfit illiterates are focused within the poorer groups, and we wouldn't want them running the country now, would we? let's make sure that only the wealthy have access to things that help their kids develop & succeed in life, then we can keep the rabble where they belong. after all, if you educate everybody, who would you get to collect the rubbish or sweep the roads?

The fact is that the cost of borrowing a book from a library works out as more expensive than if the government just bought you the book. We have a fab children's section in our local library (plus it has songtime, DVDs, computers, reading schemes etc) but many times when we go, we're the only people there.

Like PP said, it is the disadvantaged that will suffer - the children of the better off will still have access to books and swimming lessons.

And a library is about much more than the actual books - our reception class visits once a week, the MP hold surgeries there, local art etc is exhibited.

Make sure you protest if there are cuts to your local service!

One of our local tiny libraries saved itself, it set up a "friends of" group and lots of fundraising events that led to a book festival being established. Power to the people sez I.

Whilst cuts are usually never good, its a bit OTT to say only children from wealthy families will have access to books etc.

Schools have plenty of books and all have to offer some swimming lessons in certain years so every child will have access outside the home. All parents get CB, many get CTC so no reason for books etc to be restricted. They can be bought very cheaply from charity shops etc if you really cant afford new.

I think though - and I may be speaking out of turn as I wasn't the one who said that wealthy children had more access - that it is true that they do in general. I think there are fairly well proven links between poverty and low literacy levels and the Landmark Good Childhood report found that poorer children often had fewer than 5 books in the house and didn't visit libraries.

By the time schools offer books, some children will already be too behind to ever engage with reading, let alone catch up. It's impossible to say that poor children don't have access to books of course but I think if you had to generalise you could safely say that poorer families will lose out the most if free access to books is withdrawn.

Although it is a shame. Surly its better to cut down on liberary stuff then on life changing things like NHS, police etc.

I am probably about as poor as I could be, without being homeless. BUT we have loads of books. They mostly came from freecycle, and a few presents etc. I have never bought a brand new book but we certainly arn't short of them.

I do think its good that they offer free story time and ryme time etc and we make use of it. But realistically, its not going to have a dramatic effect on our lives if they stopped.

Good comment Singlemum- story times etc are nice, but not vital.
We have a lovely local library, which is usually busy, again selling off hundreds of virtually new books for ridiculously prices- 20p. They do have a sign up that they welcome secondhand books.
After school and weekends it is full of the local Korean/SriLankan children- either studying or just reading. Rarely see any of dc/s contemporaries in there-they don't see it as "cool"
I go to the library at least twice a week- both dcs at 11 and 13 are doing the reading challenge, and dd goes 3 or 4 times a week in the holidays. She loves the atmosphere.

Major cuts in childrens social care. Can't see the libraries being safe if we can't keep children safe.