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

KerryMumbles - you're quite a Leftie, aren't you?!

I understand your frustration at the likelihood of public services being returned to the private sector, I do.

But instead of getting so upset about it, why not think ahead to the ways in which you can embrace the changes and make them work for you, your family and the people you purport to be thinking about.

Same old story. You all want the same, or better, LA services out of a diminishing pot of money, but you're not willing to pay more. This is the real world.

For money to get through to support libraries (or social work, road maintenance, housing or any other arguably more important LA service) requires firstly a bigger settlement from the Govt to the LA and only then a reallocation of budgets within the LA. Even if a LA successfully negotiates a larger share of Govt money, there are no guarantees that keeping libraries open would be top of the list.

aib2 I dont need my 6 year old's books to be that high brow

Presumably you want them to hold his/her interest though? Some of the drivel out there barely stands a first reading.

Yes...today I bought a book of knowledge/kid's encyclopaedia.

I think the poster was making a comment on me suggesting my own local only has low brow - chic lit and autobiogs and craft type books and me having bought a book in tesco.

The tesco book was for my child.

local library sorry

If no one is willing to put their money where their mouth is then this thread is pointless. Just exactly where are the trees that all this local govt cash grows on?

No-one has said that they definitely wouldn't be willing to pay more CT if it meant keeping their public library. I know I would. But you're asking the wrong question imho.

Curlymama did, and on MN I tend to take silence as a negative. What question should I be asking?

OK, that should have said "no-one who is defending libraries ..."

I won't repeat myself as I've already responded to you further up the thread.

Sorry, I hadn't appreciated that curlymama was on the other side.

I am not against public libraries - far from it. But some are not fit for purpose, perhaps for the reasons you mentioned. And most importantly, it is a dog fight for money these days within LAs. In Scotland we've been struggling with CT freezes for the past 3 years (I think) and Govt grants haven't made up the shortfall. Yet still people complain that we can't do absolutely everything they might like.

KerryMumbles - why is arguing for a more cost-effective use of taxpayers' money "nasty"??

If people were happy to have their council tax go up to fund libraries, surely they would be equally happy to pay as and when they used the library?

I do think that charging is one option. Childrens books could be free. Adults could be charged a nominal fee of say 20p per book for the 3 weeks. I don't think that's beyond the reach of many people.

How much do libraries pay for books in the first place?

What factors are used to pick which books get sold off? Because I've recently found my library selling off things I felt a touch aghast at- language tapes, books and CDs, for example.

this might interest some

So what can we do about this?

petitions.number10.gov.uk/ ?

Stressedout, follow this blog, "like" it on FB and see what's being organised in your area. It is frequently updated (the brilliant Philip Pullman speech sfxmum links to is on there, as is the Oxford Mail's leader praising him) and is the best resource out there

petitions.number10.gov.uk/

Sorry posted that link twice - thanks for the fb one will do x

The petitions website has been taken down.

My town doesn't even have a bookshop anymore - just what you can get at ASDA :(
What would we do if they shut our library????

We have one Waterstones, but that's just as bad as the library. Bestsellers and coffee table books - little else. We shop for books on Amazon now - their "look inside" feature is a total revelation.