To think wanting to close almost all the libraries in a county is not acceptable?

[WhirlwindHugs]

www.theguardian.com/books/2017/nov/28/northamptonshire-may-close-up-to-28-of-its-36-libraries

The basic gist is Northamptonshire County Council is in a huge financial mess so it wants to close 21-28 out of 36 libraries. Including the children's centres that run from those buildings.

Obviously libraries did not cause NCC woes and closing them isn't going to save that much money.

AIBU to think NCC are utterly shortsighted?

It's disgraceful, isn't it? It's an easy way for a county to save money but will have a huge impact.

I am not sure whether or how we really saw off the threat, or what got cut instead, but a really determined campaign including sit-ins and readings by local authors seemed to save libraries in Oxfordshire.

I think if they have to do something, reducing hours is infinitely preferable to closing libraries, but presumably doesn't save as much as flogging off buildings.

Could be
Might be
Consultations

No where does it say "will be for certain"; there are three options on the table

Doesn't save much money? It would save a huge amount. Wages, buildings could be sold, stock sold off, energy rates, management wages etc. However they are important places and I totally disagree with them closing.

I would encourage everyone who is concerned about closure/reduced hours of their local library to go along and use it! Borrow books, go to children's story time, poetry readings etc. I am sure utilisation of the facilities would be one of the things they would look at during any consultation.

Arguably libraries are less important than other services that they provide like education, social services and bin collections. If something has got to give surely it's better that libraries go than road being neglected or bin collections being cut even further. Libraries provide lots of wonderful services for both adults and children but if we are going to be honest most people who make use of them can afford to go without and those who stand to benefit most are the least likely to use them. Targeted literacy programs would be a better use of public funds.

I was talking to a local Councillor who hoped that his party would not be successful in next year's local elections because they will have to make so many cuts that it would make their jobs impossible. I hate libraries closing but would you rather have that than primary classes over 30? Or huge cuts to local social services? How can local authorities make ends meet?

My local town is closing 10 of its 14 libraries next week

Most councils will continue to have huge cuts to their budgets for at least the next 2 financial years. Closing libraries will save money and if the choice is libraries or say social services then libraries will go.
Library users are probably more likely to protest the cuts too. Raises the profile of cuts without endangering people.

It's only going to get worse. By 2020, all Councils will be self-sufficient - that is, all council tax and business rates will pay for all services in the borough. The plan is that there will be no support from Central Govt.

They're looking at closing 10 out of 14 of our libraries where I live.

It is disgusting to close any library, anywhere.

No one uses libraries any more - even schools have switched to kindles (ours have) and ipads - paper books are a rarity.

As an avid reader, I have some books, old favourites, but I use downloadable versions. I never used the music part of the library but why would you, everything is free on Spotify. Electoral rolls etc, all on line.

What use in the modern day are libraries?

Tories cut. Debt grows.

Shows lack of basic economic literacy.

I bet most of the buildings will be turned into hotels, or overpriced flats.

What use are libraries spits out tea

Libraries aren’t just about books. They are centres of information and always have been. They provide equitable access to information and skills for all. We happen to be in an Information Age and libraries and the information professionals who work in them are more important than ever.

Do you know what an active part libraries can play in digital literacy these days? For example, those who will be applying for universal credit online are being supported by libraries, through PC and WiFi provision, through teaching digital skills. How shit is it going to be if the local library is 30 miles away?

Those who need the library don’t use it? Tell that to the kids who grew up with that being their only free access to information. Just because it was books then and is the internet now doesn’t make it any less valuable.

you have to pay for books on your kindle and ipad - reserving a book at the library costs me 50p and it's how I get most of mine. Love my local library and would be gutted if it ever closed.

I live in Northamptonshire and if you read the survey they've sent out they are very well used, both as community spaces and to access books.

The idea that it's only wealthy people that use them is completely untrue, our towns library is next to a council estate and the school that normally wins the summer reading challenge has one of the most deprived intakes.

We're also talking about most of these libraries being on towns and villages, if you close them there is no where productive for teenagers to go.

It's happening everywhere. In my city they are trying to get 'volunteers' to run the branch libraries and do fundraising to keep them going. The council's argument is we have to choose between libraries and social care.

We also already have volunteers walking around with bin bags and litter pickers trying to keep the streets clean because the council can't afford to do it.

Times they are a' changin, folks.

All councils are in a terrible financial state after years and years of Tory cuts. In a few years they will only be able to afford to collect the rubbish and carry out their social care responsibilities. That'll be it. If you think it's bad now, just wait until 2021 when things really take a turn for the worse.

My area started closing libraries a couple of years ago
One was a beautiful carneigie library and despite campaigning it closed and I assume now will fall into disrepair and become a target for vandals etc
Libraries are being used more and more for people who need Internet access for universal credit claims. It's all done online. If they close how will people do that?

Honestly, I would rather bin collection was cut than libraries.

I can live with having to take our binbags to the dump once a week, I can't live without libraries. We are in there all the time! I have 3 kids to encourage to read, it would cost a fortune even buying the cheapest of cheap vs free from the library or less than a pound to order something specific in.

People do use libraries!

We go regularly for books and also to Lego Club, iwe will join coding cljb once my eldest is old enough. Local nurseries go and local schools too, I see them there when I take my children midweek. They also have the baby weighing clinic and group there each week as the local sure start centre is now closed and there are always plenty of people there for that.
The computer area is always busy and there are many people of all ages browsing the books and sat at the tables reading or studying.

I agree it is short-sighted and the wrong decision. Ours here are being reduced in opening hours and staffing, and they even banned the local cat!

If Council services are being reduced, having fewer councillors and some meetings via electronic means or conference calls could probably save enough to keep at least one library open.

Don't worry ,WhirlwindHugs bin collections will be effected- monthly collections anyone?

Basically there is a perfect storm of an aging population, increased demand, rising costs and slashed grant funding that is making local services totally unsustainable.

The thing that's going to break my heart is when they stop being able to afford to keep parks open 😢

Well, they could donate all the childrens literature to the local schools. Offer up their other books to old peoples homes, food banks, etc.

Closing a library doesnt signify a loss of the books. Just a movement of them.