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

When I grew up in a pretty deprived family, poor, but also not well educated. The mobile library van that used to come to the batch of estates where I grew up was my lifeline, and in the holidays I sometimes used to work in there too. I loved it, it was my refuge.

Now my DH works in a library, I am terrified for the loss of the local libraries but also for the loss of his job.

I'm not sure how you can quantify libraries being value for money. For 20 mins 3 library assistants my seem too much, but another half hour later and they could all be helping various people use the varied services on offer there.

Our library used to run a service where they sent an audio cassette or CD of the weekly local news to blind people in the area. It was very popular.

Not everyone is on the internet.

I love the library as a space to study in peace. Ours is reasonably well stocked and you can get latest titles quite easily. Full of old people, kids and yoga workshops.

They are among the only remaining truly public spaces where you don't have to purchase an overpriced latte before reading or checking your email.

When my DD needs to look stuff up for a school project, I insist she goes to the library.

Apart from the reading part of it, there is so much info on the internet that it is impossible to sift out what is accurate and what isn't. At least at the library there are a few select books about each subject.

My DCs at various times in their lives have used the library for loads of things. Story times, having a quiet afternoon in the rainy school hols, walking down there just to get some exercise. They are also far more enthused about a book from the library than a brand spanking new one from a trendy bookshop.

It's an outrage!

Why stop at privatising libraries Dave?,
Why not privatise kids playgrounds as well under the illusion of creating jobs?
Actually wont say it too loud before it gives him ideas.

I absolutely agree hacking. A teacher friend groans every time internet searches are mentioned as part of homework.

She is constantly telling pupils that "no, Vikings did not have pointy hats, even if google says they did," or "Barack Obama's rise to power was not orchestrated by the CIA or Al Quaeda, even if you have found an online forum which firmly believes this."

Does anybody know if the government petitions website is still working? I can't seem to find it.

lynette please tell me you're being sarcastic?

We had little money when I was growing up my library ticket was one of my most treasured possessions.The library was the start of my lifelong love of books and I still go regularly and take my dd too.
It is so wrong to consider depriving needy families of books that they can ill afford to buy.

we're really lucky here, we got a new library in 2008. it is huge, and even got nominated for an architectural award! really well stocked, great facilities, it's really a joy to be there whether on my own (went there to finish my assignment last week) or doing stuff with my kids.

problem is, they can justify this scheme by saying they aren't improving literacy etc - because the people they want to help with schemes like bookstart etc, i.e. low income, poorly educated etc, are just less likely to use them than those who don't need them as much - e.g. those who do have the money to spend on books anyway.

I would really lose out - we really value books but have very low income so to put it bluntly we really need libraries!

Me too asdx.

There is no way I would have ended up as formally educated as I am now, if it wasn't for my local library.

This will be a serious blow to social mobility.

I read my way through the entire childrens stock as a child and had to have permission to read the adut stuff...my parents couldn't afford to buy me books!

I honestly didnt realise people used them so much, or for so many things. My local library as achild was a bit of a shed, the local one here looks the same. I am well read and always have been, but my parents always bought us books, or we used computer encyclopedias like Encarta growing up.

Like I said, i do feel that weshould have libraries, but as they dont feature in my life, and never really have, i cant quite see why

Many people cannot afford to buy books, that's why.

It's library books or no books for many, many people.

I feel quite sad as my son loves his weekly trip to the library and i really couldnt afford new books for him at the rate he reads them

'If we are going to be provided with absolutely no services then I would like to pay absolutely no tax.'

Nail hitting head! My dad, in the US, is a Republic voter. But even he is aghast at teh government here. As he said, 'Small state = small tax. If I'm going to pay for services then I get to keep more of the money I earn. What you've got there is just a con job, and people take that lying down? Why?'

Oh and as aside, I'd like to shove a copy of the article up the behind of everybody who voted tory.

(lib dem voters just get whacked over the head with it)

We must have read hundreds of library books in pre school days, now we go through books a bit more slowly! It would be so sad to see them go. Also they are quite a meeting place for high school children in holidays, a safe place as well

Tbh the people I know that cant afford books still dont go to libraries.

AlgebraRocksMySocks - "problem is, they can justify this scheme by saying they aren't improving literacy etc - because the people they want to help with schemes like bookstart etc, i.e. low income, poorly educated etc, are just less likely to use them than those who don't need them as much - e.g. those who do have the money to spend on books anyway."

This seems to strike a chord with my RL experiences

Guess what? The electronic petitions website has been shut down.

Just gets better and better...

SITM Seriously?! That's a joke :(

baby

I know plenty of people exactly like that, including me and my family.

I'm in there on weekly basis and the place is usually packed.

You should have a wander round your local library one day, you may well be pleasantly surprised. Not every poor person is illiterate.

Seriously.

petitions.number10.gov.uk/

The Con-dems don't even want to know what we think anymore.

"Not every poor person is illiterate."

I know, I'm poor, n i ay illiterate