to think that we NEED libraries? This is horrific.

[StuckInTheMiddleWithYou]

Would MN like to run a campaign on this?

www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/terence-blacker/terence-blacker-hands-off-our-public-libraries-2057131.html

Hi, firstly I have to be honest and tell you that I am not a parent but I was directed to this thread by a friend and felt I just had to comment as I care passionately about libraries. I should also tell you that I am an academic librarian however, I am commenting here as a concerned public library user. (and I have 8 nieces and nephews and 2 more on the way if that helps :)
It is great to see so many advocates of libraries on here and I think the idea of a campaign is a great one that I would 100% support. I live in Gloucestershire and we received news recently that our book budget is going to be cut by 40%...yes 40%! for the whole county and that is BEFORE the further ConDem cuts are imposed in the Autumn. They are trying to sneak these cuts in under the guise of the wider governments "economic" (in my view ideology driven) strategy. The hands of the library staff are tied. It is their employers that are making the cuts and to speak out would put their jobs at risk. The council are trying to underplay to the public how much of an impact the cuts will have on our library service because it is a public outcry that they are afraid of - after all it is the public that elected the councilors and they want to hold on to their seats,. I am gearing up for a local campaign to fight this because I fear if we don't do something now, when the real cuts come the library service will be seen as an even easier target. Here are the details of the cuts here but I know of many cuts happening elsewhere also. www.thebookseller.com/news/125293-gloucester-to-cut-library-stock.html The council claim these cuts have to be made so front-line services that support the sick and elderly are protected but ironically this is one of the groups that will be effected most by the cuts. Housebound users, those with visual impairments and those with little money to live off for example often depend on these services but it will be these people that suffer the most if they don't have access to audio-books, housebound services etc.
The only way that we can stop our vital library services from being obliterated is by writing to MP's. Councilors and newspapers. I sincerely hope Mumsnet do launch a campaign because public libraries desperately need people like you to fight for them. Once something is gone often there is no going back :( go mums! :)

Libraries are absolutely essential. I use mine all the time and every time I go in there I see such a wide variety of people using it for different things. Lots of elderly people reading the newspapers or there are always teenagers studying on the "secret" table stashed away in the middle of the library. Children in the children's section.

Having said that, the economy is such that I can see there needing to be cuts, but shutting down lots of libraries is not the answer. And the mobile libraries are essential - I know a few elderly people who absolutely rely on those.

I would be interested actually in how supermarkets would run libraries - they're often open at convenient times, we all visit them all the time so it wouldn't require an extra trip to the library etc. It could be bad, but it could also work.

Like Bolibify, I'm not a mum either but I am involved in a library campaign in Doncaster. We had a Read-In (peaceful protest!) at the weekend and loads of mums using the library told us how badly closing the libraries in Doncaster would affect them - for many, the local library is the only way of getting books for their kids and they don't have any way of getting pushchairs/toddlers etc. to another branch and can't afford the expensive buses in Doncaster.

If there's anybody who wants to join us as part of a Friends of Doncaster Libraries style thing, please let me know. We need to get the campaign out there! [email protected]

BBC Breakfast News are running a piece tomorrow morning with footage from our Read-In and news about issues around the country which will be worth a watch.

What about the actual library buildings - what will happen to them I wonder? Libraries are often contained in old buildings with beautiful features which adds to the ambience. I'm a big fan of the older type of library - there's just something about them. It would be very sad to see such buildings go to ruin.

Cutting libraries in a recession is like cutting hospitals in a plague - Eleanor Crumblehulme.

Apologies if this has already been posted, no time to read through!

You are all missing the real point. Everyone agrees libraries are valuable assets and we need them.

However, whenever a local or government authority has its budget cut, either by the voters or from central government, the first reaction of the bureaucracy is to threaten to close valuable services instead of looking for ways to eliminate waste (their own jobs in many cases).

I lived through this years ago in California, when proposition 13 was voted in, limiting all state expenditure. The first reaction of the civil servants was to list fire stations, health clinics, swimminig pools and yes, libraries for closure. The fight is still going on to sort the budget out, but California still has public libraries.

There is no doubt that this government needs to drastically reduce public expenditure and that this will be painful, but public servants should not be treated as disinterested parties in the debate and their first reactions need to be trated with cynicism.

'What about the actual library buildings - what will happen to them I wonder? '

high density vertical drinking establishments?

I am big reader and due to being made redundant our local library has been a lifeline as I can no longer afford even the cheap books in Tesco. Would definitely support a MN campaign. Our local library is usually quite busy though - there is also a coffee shop and rhyme time for kids.

I agree with the posters here - it is a ridiculous proposal. What about people who use the free internet services in libraries to look for jobs? I am a big fan, and a financial contributor (I'm a bit rubbish at returning books - but as my DM pointed out - the fines can go towards paying for more books for the library)

This government must get its head out of its stuck-up ase and realise that there are areas of society/public resources that cannot* be cut.

Our local (Tory) coucil are trying to shut down our local library, and we are (obviously) trying to rouse the community into objecting on the strongest possible terms. But I have a horrible feeling it's a done deal. They decided to "consult" (hahahaha!) in August when schools are out and everyone is away.

Tories had this in the pipeline last year, complteely denied it, got re-elected in in May on a local level, and are now planning to close it.

Aurgh.

Any W london MNetters who want to join our campaign?!

(and of course I will support a MN national campaign)

It's no good campaigning against library, or other service cuts, unless you are prepared to vote out locally elected politicians who won't clear out the totally unnecessary layers of officials on inflated salaries, bonuses and inflated pensions.

Reduced expenditure is unavoidable, just make sure it happens to the "right" people and not the front line workers.

I tried to vote them out in May, but it didn't work. They work in "teams" in the various wards in our borough. One of the Tory team members in our ward is a good bloke, but another is completely insufferable....

We are suffering from community action fatigue at the moment I think. We seem to be constantly fighting against something (and no, this isn't nimby-ism, we just didn't want a lap dancing clob in a residential area next to the (soon to be closed) library.....)

sigh.

I would back a MN campaign.

We as a family use our local library on a weekly basis and my 18 month old gets really excited about going she has loved books since she could sit up and this is something that I hope to continue to encourage.

Another side of this argument is the environmental benefit of libraries - we get through a lot of books in our house most of which are only read once - what would happen to all these books if weren't taking them back to the library for someone else to share?

Our local library is the heart of the community that sooo appreciates the staff and all the services it provides and hosts - lots of NHS HV service groups meet there so I can't imagine it would disappear quickly but I would hate if it was at all threatened. I'd back a MN campaign - save our libraries!

Did you know about this website that campaigns for public libraries.
www.librarycampaign.com/Home Those of you who want to support your local library might find it useful as it provides information on how you can set up a "friends of" library campaign group.

Mmmm.... its disgusting. I am not dumb I know there needs to be some cuts but there could be more tax - especially on the banks who are now making huge profits / releasing the provisions they set up. Its just not right. Its enough to make me want to vote Labour have gone off Mr Clegg. What with children's playgrounds and now this...

I would back a MN campaign, but frankly think it would be tricky as it's a local issue, and not national.

Maybe a Mumsnet day where all Mumsnetters visit their local library? Perhaps an advice sheet with bullet points such as, get a library card, use it, raise membership by getting friends and family to do the same. Maybe someone who knows about these things could advise how a library is deemed successful? Statistics? Books taken out?

I am hugely supportive of any campaign to keep libraries open. We have just done the Space Hop reading challenge with our dd, and went on holiday to East Anglia where kids were pouring into the library to do it - and quite frankly, libraries deserve an awful lot of credit for keeping children reading in the holidays. Yet they are slashing Suffolk libraries' budget by 30%.
A teacher I know says kids often 'fall back' on reading after the summer hols, but it seems to me that the library service is a fantastic service in helping alleviate this. Also, we love our local library because it is fully stocked with books on CD which are great for our children to listen to in bed at night - on hols or at home. Stops them coming down the stairs every five minutes! Long live the library and count me in on any mumsnet campaign in this regard.

Libraries matter.they are a civilising influence. I have used them all my life.
The assistants do a great job efficiently.

I would definitely back a mumsnet campaign. Is there any chance of one?

mnhq, we need a campaign on this going, please?

If your interested in setting up a local campaign go to the Library Campaign website http:www.librarycampaign.com/Home for info and I've posted some tips on my blog:librariesandstuff.wordpress.com/ Libraries are so important, especially for childrens development and literacy. At our library we also have music sessions, storytimes and computer taster courses to name but a few activities.

It is not just a local issue though; at the moment local councils are obliged by law to provide library services, so we should campaign nationally to ensure this remains the case.

Please do campaign, libraries are important and useful and most of all fun .

And most important join your library and use your card.
Another thing is if you have more than 1 child make sure they each have their own cards and use them; library funding (where I work anyhow)is based on active borrowers not by numbers of books borrowed.

Really? It's a statutory obligation? Any idea re: statute?

Joined library: tick
uses card: tick
Each child has card: tick

And our library has a key chain attachment (think Clubcard) and another copy for other parent/child minder.