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

Yep it comes under the 1964 Public Libraries and Museums act. Unfortunately it's not a great piece of legislation although better than nothing.
It doesn't for example set out in any great detail what kind of provision there needs to be, how it's staffed what hours it opens etc.

Ivykaty, I use Lambeth's libraries at least twice a week.

I use more infrequently: Croydon, Southwark and Wandsworth.

Humph. Please, please campaign on this.

we use the library at least once a week.

I will be gutted.

How short sighted are these fuckers.

I think I actually hate DC. properly hate him.

We must, must, must save our libraries!

The internet is not the same at all - you cannot get a big biography from the internet, or a serious non-fiction book, or a wealth of fiction for children and adults, or browse shelves, or get high quality art books, etc etc etc!

Children will be particularly damaged. School spend on books is low - compared to those blasted computers! - there are virtually no trained librarians in primaries and increasingly secondary schools are closing their libraries too...

Also worth pointing out that there are very few BOOK SHOPS in many parts of the UK either, any more. So even if parents want to buy books for their kids (or themselves) there aren't the options there were - and WH Smith and the supermarkets sell books but have virtually no range at all. Amazon only works if you know what you want to buy. We are in danger of becoming a bookless culture.

I'd definitely support this campaign - this is abysmal.

Orangina how do I get involved in W London campaign?

Haven't read the thread, so may be repeating - just had to add my support.

Our local libraries are often very busy, and not just during the weekly "bounce and rhyme" sing-along with babies and toddlers sessions. The childrens book section saves us a fortune in buying books, and means that DS gets a huge variety of bedtime stories (plus parents who aren't bored of reading them). The reference section on parenting was invaluable in the early days of being a parent. We've even had books out on plumbing that have saved us money on paying for a plumber (but perhaps that one was not so good for the national economy...). I revised for my GCSE/A levels almost exclusively in my local library as a kid because it was quiet and I could concentrate. Our local libraries have computers that are always heaving with people, and in fact there's usually a queue. It's where you can go to see the plans for local planning applications - a lot more convenient than a schlep into town to the council offices, so I imagine that gets more people involved in the local planning process (big society anyone?).

A privatised library would be shit. Full of rubbish pulp fiction, disney branded kids books and nothing "offensive" (our local has a themed table each month and a few times they've had a really cool "controversial" book theme - Satanic Verses, Lady Chatterly, God Delusion etc...)

Pleeeeease run a campaign!

Thank you for the reference.

here is the relevant section. My understanding is that it is the Secretary of State who is responsible for ensuring library authorities are in place...

7 General duty of library authorities
(1)It shall be the duty of every library authority to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service for all persons desiring to make use thereof, . . . F1
Provided that although a library authority shall have power to make facilities for the borrowing of books and other materials available to any persons it shall not by virtue of this subsection be under a duty to make such facilities available to persons other than those whose residence or place of work is within the library area of the authority or who are undergoing full-time education within that area.
(2)In fulfilling its duty under the preceding subsection, a library authority shall in particular have regard to the desirability?
(a)of securing, by the keeping of adequate stocks, by arrangements with other library authorities, and by any other appropriate means, that facilities are available for the borrowing of, or reference to, books and other printed matter, and pictures, gramophone records, films and other materials, sufficient in number, range and quality to meet the general requirements and any special requirements both of adults and children; and
(b)of encouraging both adults and children to make full use of the library service, and of providing advice as to its use and of making available such bibliographical and other information as may be required by persons using it; and
(c)of securing, in relation to any matter concerning the functions both of the library authority as such and any other authority whose functions are exercisable within the library area, that there is full co-operation between the persons engaged in carrying out those functions.

I work in a public library and we offer so much more than books. Babydubs mentions that the internet is better, what if you don't have your own computer where can you go and use one for free - Oh yeah - THE LIBRARY, compare that to the internet cafe rates.

i saw a piece on bbc breakfast today about how very few people use libraries, and they are obsolete, maybe needed to put them where people go like the pub(imagine rhymetime with happy hour), it is this the begginning of brain washing the population into believing we don't need libraries?

That's interesting Ilovemydog.
I wonder how the f*cking derisory useless occasional visits from a mobile library that counts as provision in my town is meant to fit into that

(to be fair they are building a new library but it's taken them 4 years so far)

Hi Quodlibet, can you cat me? We really need folk on board....

Actually, I'll try and cat you now....

Ilovemydog.... really useful info, thanks so much.

Quodlibet, I can't cat you, you are not signed up for it.

Awful. The library is so important in my local community for the elderley and vulnerable in particular, not to mention children.

Our librarians are fabulous and so knowledgable and helpful.

I will support this campaign if MN decides to back it.

i am watching the same report in the main news, anybody has any thoughts on how can we organize a campaign through mn?

not only for the community use, our library provides at least ten jobs directly for librarians, and there aren't many jobs around in this little town...

From what I can glean the government are basing their info. on The Taking Part Survey which relied on people completing and returning a form, rather than footfall or use of library cards. It is all rather handy for them to reach this conclusion. I would be interested to see how the questions were worded.

Ed Vaizey's suggestion that libraries should be in shops and pubs because, to paraphrase, 'that's were people go' is laughable. I doubt many of the current government have used a public library through dint of circumstance - from private prep., to Eton, to Oxford, to being well-salaried so Foyles. The opportunity to enjoy and love a public library just hasn't been there for them.

Who gets to do the Taking Part survey then? I've never heard of it and certainly never been asked myself.

i go to the library every week, no survey ever encountered

So on the news just now, where they're saying "down 4% etc - that's not even actual figures - just from a survey?

We have an e-petition going to campaign against the closure of our library here

If any local Mnetters sign, please can you put your postcode after your name, otherwise it may not be a valid signature. Thanks.

(If that was a hi-jack, I'm sorry!)

Actually in my deprived area of London which is also very very multicultural there are many parents that dont do very much with their children BUT I see many people who may be considered as people who wouldnt use a library and they DO. Infact the library is the only place out of the many many activities etc provided in my borough where the whole community use it.

I saw one little boy in the library the other day who really didnt look very well looked after and his parents kept popping out (he was maybe 6 at most). If we assume this is the case that he in fact is a little neglected, his parents brought him to the library and he was happily looking through the books and trying to play with the other children etc. They may not use the library and probably took him for the wrong reasons - but he was there and that experience is what might save him.

This is beyond horrifying.

I was piss poor as a child, really deprived like poor and the library was my only place of content. I loved spending my saturdays in this big old victorian building, on a comfy bean bag, working my way through Roald Dahl books.

This is so sad.

What else do these Tory Bastards want? Our hearts on a plate?????

Can we PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Campaign against this. Get DC back on here so we can give it to him straight. And his sidekick NC.

Ahhh Emma... sitting reading Roald Dahl in the library. Fond memories.

Library cuts are totally outrageous. My husband and I are involved in Campaign for the Book, a national organisation fighting to stop library closures.
There is a Facebook site (Campaign for the book).
My husband runs a blog with daily updates:
www.alangibbons.net