Any news of library closures in you area?

[GabbyLoggon]

Our library staff are on tenderhooks
expecting bad news. My guess would be it will not be as bad as they think. But I dont really know. Libraries are one of the successes long ago policies. And I would not like to see them dessimated. "Gabby"

We're in York and haven't heard about any library closures. Must find out. We're in a village just outside York and I use the library here about 2 or 3 times a month and also various ones around York so probably go to a library about 5 or 6 times a month.

Reservations are free for everyone, no fines on children's books and free Internet access for up to 2 hours a day. I can't see if is sustainable really :-(

I'm in Suffolk and our local library has been earmarked for closure. It's actually very well-used, they often run groups there for various things, IMO I can't see how they can justify closing it.

DS loves choosing his library books, the nearest will be 10 miles away and I don't drive. Actually I'm mighty pissed off about it.

Tillyfernackerpants - have you seen www.petition.co.uk/stop-hounslow-council-from-closing-our-libraries
It's disgusting. Once these libraries are gone they'll never come back. We didn't have any library closures during WW2 when the country was on it's knees financially, and yet council's are very eager to get rid of the lot now.
Council's always hate libraries. In my experience councillors never visit themselves, and are extremely ignorant of the services we offer. Libraries are literally a lifeline for certain communities.

britflick, I have seen that thanks & signed it.

We got sent a consultation on Saturday, which has to be in today, suggests to me they've already decided what they're going to do & its just for show

Yes probably. We had consultation too. Many replies but we think they'll probably ignore all of them. I personally think that they can only be saved by action and protest, which hopefully attracts press, and encourages central government to intervene. Fat chance I know.

Anyone seen this report?

www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/library-emptied-in-bid-to-fight-closure-2185447.html#

I am in the East Midlands and we have had no public statement on closures yet.

We are obviously lagging behind some of you. I am not very optimistic now; but we dont expect heavy closures. "Gabby"

PS to some extent the libary is a second home for me

Not as yet. We're in Southwark and our local library is hugely busy, during weekdays and weekends. It would be ridiculous to close it, and I think (fingers crossed), it's safe. I use the library daily now on maternity leave, and DP pops in a few times per week, so we'd be horrified if it closed - one of the reasons we live where we do is the library!

My mum works in the library service (not as a librarion, she works behind the scenes) and this has been coming for a couple of years - her team has been cut by almost 60% now, and she has had to reapply for her own job twice. They have just survived another round of cuts (in December) and are now receiving no info about the next phase.

Strangely enough, three or four years ago they were ploughing millions of pounds into reinventing libraries in her area into Discovery Centres, and hiring lots of new staff! How things have changed ...

No news here. In fact, they're actually refurbishing one of the smaller libraries.

Im in Burnley, so our library service is run by Lancashire County Council. It's a massive LA so there must be 100-200 libraries in it's remit.

One of our local sub libraries is about to start a £157000 refit according to this weeks local paper. So we're getting the opposite impression here.

However... Whether they'll use the improved facilities as an excuse to close other libraries in the next few years will remain to be seen.

They've just finished refurbishing two of our smaller local libraries & they're on the list to be cut. Madness really

Our local library is having it's hours halved overall. Will be closed one whole day a week, closed afternoons another two days, and closed Saturday at 12 noon. We will still have two full days from 10 till 8pm and the childrens clubs in the morning sessions, but it's the thin end of the wedge as ever.

In Devon they're hoping there won't be any library closures but there will be cuts (probably opening hours and staff) which is better than I'd thought it would be. Can't believe so many libraries are closing :(

They haven't made any announcements yet (according to the local library staff the other day) but I can't see that lasting long. My county (Norfolk) is set to make huge cuts and libraries and museums are a soft target.

I try to do my bit by making sure we puts on every family member ticket when we get books out, rather than just on one.

our local library is on the closure list from doncaster but when i went in last friday they were installing a new computer system - yet some of the hit list libraries have been told they are not closing, however
our local library IS still on the list and it's installing a new computer system HOW MAD IS THIS

Have looked a bit and it seems none of the libraries in York are earmarked for closure. Not so such about North and East Yorks though

Yes we've been campaigning against out local library (in west London) closing for about 8 months. I fear it's rather fruitless.

findingstuff, I wonder if you're the same borough as me??

Have handed in my consultation today & will do an extra one online, try to make up for anyone who doesn't!

H&F

No closures or shorter hours in our nearesr libraries.I'd be surprised if the mobile doesn't get cut though as there is only me and 2 other people using it here.I registered to collect and deliver books for the housebound 2 years ago,but never been asked to do it yet.I guess a lot of people just don't read.