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

'I hope tory paternalism wins the day on this issue.'

So do I!

Curkymama - our preschools get their books from the library
50 books every 3 months
do you want presch fees to go up so they can buy books instead?

Curly, I don't receive any benefits so where would I go to job hunt. I was told I wasn't entitled to help from the job centre in job hunting due to not being on benefits. If I didn't have my mum's to go to where would I get internet access to find work?

mentioning porn as an example of censorship is disingenuous really, however some literature available could be considered pornographic or at least erotic by some and then banned because some local influential group deems it unsuitable
but then that could extend to religious views etc, slippery slope really

and as for those parents who don't know what is best for their children would not take them to libraries anyway (breath) well other people can very well take them, playgroups, foster parents etc, I would have thought those would be in greater need to have this resource available

and not all Tories are in favour of culling libraries my MIL is horrified at the prospect and for that matter so is FIL with the fiddling going on in the NHS, both lifelong Tories, both NHS workers both sane kind and compassionate people

Xstitch, they could change the rules about that if they close the libraries.

Compo, that's shocking, every pre school should own books. I know we get some from the library, but they are an addition, not the bulk of our books. alot of the books have been given as a present by parents when their children left or have been donated when children have grown too old for them. I would have thought that something could be done for preschools that don't own any books, that would be much cheaper than running libraries.

Or, if individuals start to pay for library because they are the ones that want to use them, the government could still subsidise nursery lending.

The idea that charity shop books could replace libraries my sil read every single book in our town library as a child, mil and fil don't believe in buying books, she got a double first at Cambridge.

I honestly don't think I could afford to pay fees for the library. Rent + council tax leaves £22 per month.

I don't drink, smoke, buy music or computer games so they aren't there to give up. There are no cheaper rents so downsizing wouldn't help either.

Curlymama - there is very limited space at our presch, it's in a village hall which is used by many groups
it does have some books but the library is a great resource
teachers also have library cards where they can take about 50 books for three months to supplement Sch libraries with limited budgets

I do realise that libraries are useful, I'm just not sure they are worth the money they cost when the country is in the position it's in. Imo, they are a 'nice to have', not an essential.

KerryMumbles - yeah, go and petition him...your support will shoot up then

I dont use the local library, but as mentioned before, did the summer read with my son with him being upset due to not getting his certificate.

Anyway....main reasons I dont use the library

1. The books are a little "lower level" for me
2. Its really just a place where the old dears read the paper
3. I work, it has odd hours
4. I hate used and second hand books
5. I like to have books at home (home library style)
6. I dont have a baby or a toddler and my school aged child has plenty of his own books
7. Never used libraries as a child so it hasnt been a habit of mine

I agree with KerryMumbles that public libraries are a mark of a civilized society. If we value them, then we as a nation can afford them. We're still a wealthy nation FFS.

KerryMumbles - I couldn't agree more...those that have suckled on the bloated teat of state support for far too long should indeed be petrified.

They identify themselves through their responses on here.

I love my library. There is no way that I could afford to buy every book that I read - it's my main hobby - and the library has introduced me to a load of stuff that I would never have taken a chance on if I'd had to have forked out 10 quid on it.

Do people really buy every single book that they want to read brand new? I'm surprised that anyone has the money. But maybe I'm unusual in having very varied tastes and reading a lot. It seems very wasteful and not very environmentally friendly. Hopefully they donate the books that they don't need any more to their local library so that others can read them. :)

I dont read a lot of novels as I do so much reading at work.
I bought a book for ds just today at tesco. i like to keep them.
My library is a bit low brow tbh

Im a bit pd off though as I didnt realise i should have got another book free...bugger!

I have 4 libraries within about 5 or 6 miles of my home. Yes we should keep libraries but we dont need to keep all of them. Why do we need 4nin such a small area?

"those that have suckled on the bloated teat of state support"

pascoe I am a big supporter of libraries, can you explain how I am simply relying on the "bloated teat of the state"?

The other thing about libraries is that not everyone can access them easily anyway. Plenty of people in this country live too far away from a decent library to get any real use out of them, so why should they pay for them?

And yes, they are a nice to have. Heath care is essential for everyone, we will all use it at some point. Even with private health care, people still need to be able to call an ambulance should they have to.

I'm actually surprised that so may people see libabries as vital. They are not. Nobody will die or suffer or live with chronic pain without a library.

'for some reason it has entered my head that this is some sort of cause Princes Charles would champion.'

I know what you mean, Kerrymumbles.