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

Plus we are so sick of all the so called consultation meetings which are essentially ticking boxes in what is already a done deal as far as I can see.

IME the people who I have spoken to in RL who complain about the closing of the libraries don't actually use them. 'But they are such a valuable resource', they cry. Then why not use them?

I am opposed to the blanket privatisation of libraries, but without doubt, there are many which are underused and cost more to run than they give back to the community.

More research is needed.

Our local library is set for closure in April

We are regular users, we visited today taking books back and borrowing some new ones. I took ds to story times there when he was younger and he often borrows books to read about his school topic.

Dh, although not an avid reader has always loved libraries and likes to spend an hour just perusing and flicking through books.

Yes we have a library in our town centre but this involves driving, paying to park etc etc. I like being able to walk to my local library. It is a travesty what they are planning to do to our local libraries.

And yes, books are bloomin expensive. New kids booka are about £6 a pop, I encourage ds to read as many as he can because we borrow them for FREE.

This is just scandalous, one of my best childhood memories - the weekly trip to the library with my Mum. That early introduction to reading gave me a love of reading which I still have today. I still visit my library on a weekly basis and I still use the one near my Mum when I go and visit her.

There must be something we can do. Can MN start a pettition? Surely this is something worth saving. Come MNhq, take a look at this and start the ball rolling.

you can sign to save my local library here

I just can't believe that there is even a debate about the central importance of libraries within any society where there are aspirations for social mobility, a literate population etc. It's a given that libraries matter and any 'consultation' on this is just absurd- people need libraries and libraries are a GOOD THING. OK, they aren't as important as air, but to me as child they almost seemed to be!

Part of the reason I chose to live where I do is that there's a library within walking distance. Where we used to live there wasn't one, and I had to drive to the nearest one about 3 miles away, so went less often. I take DS to our local library and as a single mum on low income, it's great that he can borrow books for free and DVDs for £1. I also borrow books and the occasional DVD, and my parents also both borrow books from this library. DSs school take his class once a fortnight and they all pick one book, which remains in school so all the class can benefit from the various books chosen. As well as encouraging a love of reading, this fortnightly trip also teaches the children about walking nicely along the street, behaving well in public places and encourages independence.

In my city, we will find out in April which library services will be closing but they are estimating 30%. A few months back the librarian said they'd soon be introducing scanners so you'd sign your own books in and out, which means that at some point soon after, they'll start to cut jobs. I know the country has a lot of debt to service, but cutting out the heart of the community and reducing children's access to free reading materials is not the way to do it. I will be devastated if our library shuts.

It is councils who are closing libraries, not central government.

Our library is right next to the local primary school. Consequently it is always packed at times when parents are waiting with younger siblings for older ones to come out of school or to fill in the annoying 1/2 hour between one child coming out of school and another coming out of an after-school activity.
There will be times of day when it is quiet but others when it is busy and full of kids reading or being read to. The librarians are lovely and very tolerant of the noisy 'rush hour', a contrast to when I was little and you had to be Quiet Please.

My kids are always desperate to go in. It would be awful if it closed.

Abr1de that's a pointless comment- local authorities would not be shutting libraries if they in turn were not losing central govt funding

Councils have the choice as to what they prune. They can prune funding for respite care. They can prune funding for translators. They can prune libraries. As an author believe me I am anxious about this. Part of my livelihood comes from library loans of my titles. As a parent I am worried, and as a citizen I am bothered about the cultural impact.

Bothered enough to go and meet Ed V and ask him some questions a month or so ago. He seemed like a reasonable person. I hope he comes up with some ideas.

I had a letter from Ed Vaizey about this when I wrote expressing my concerns to my MP last year- I felt it was very vague and full of language that could mean anything. I think there is an ideological distaste for any kind of (state-sponsored) collective effort from this government. But libraries just shouldn't be made part of this big society voluntary/private agenda- On the face of it they would seem to be a perfect fit but they really are not, as soon as you think about it the logic falls apart

Sorry if it's already been said, but where would you like savings to be made if not in libraries?

The government won't care if the poor and the elderly can't read for free. They'll think that if we can't pay for it, we shouldn't have it. Just as they do with healthcare, education generally and any other service that our great country was known for providing for free.

Love the Tories...not!

This says enough, surely?

If only libraries were as valued by communities as much as when we were growing up. Obviously, ebooks, ebay, amazon indeed the Web generally collectively make this unrealistic. Our local library had an expensive refit and is mainly used as a meeting and eating place by people wanting to have a (loud) conversation in a warm, comfortable place about anything other than books.

Recently, I braved the dried bogies and crisp smears and started borrowing books regularly. Despite there being no queues, the assistants usually put on their best face-like-slapped-arse expressions and direct you away to a computer instead

e.g. "can I take this book out please?"
"yes check it out on that machine"

"can I give this book back please?"
"you do know that you can put it in Bin X or Bin Y or even use the OTHER machine to check it back in - We are very busy doing other things"

Yeah, right

Libraries are not used much. Except by people who like to come in for the warmth or for yobs to hang out.
I've tried visiting my local newly revamped library with brand new computers and state of the art equipment and every time I went there, even in the late afternoon, there were hardly any people using it.

Most of the time the staff had to deal with yobs who kept setting off the security door and shouting.
Got fed up of going as trying to use the internet was no better with groups of youths swearing all the time and talking on mobiles.
Staff were too scared of them, if seems.

But maybe that's just my area

The Borough where I live is privatising all it's Leisure services to save money! Disgusting, but the government has cut what local authorities receive so services have to be outsourced so they can continue and the redunacies of Council staff can be made.

There is nothing for me in our local library.

No, this is not horrific or disgusting. I don't like it but really you shouldn't go overboard. Horrific my foot.

Honestly people have no idea how lucky they are. I hate this idea but horrific? No.