Libraries....will you miss them?

[Curiousmama]

If the government do close our libraries will you miss them?

I certainly will I use ours regularly but it's always quiet. I can't understand why people don't take advantage of free books? Also you can order the latest books for a small charge and it's free for under 17s.

Ds1 has just really got into going which is good news as it gets him away from the xbox, wii etc.. He's reading like it's going out of fashion right now. I think it helps that where we've moved to everything is nearby, including the library.

I know things have to change but if this happens I'll be gutted.

[BooBooGlass]

WHat??
WHere on earth have you read this? Libraries are run at local authority level aren't they? Frankly, my late fines should be enough to keep ours going for a few years yet

[SkippyjonJones]

I use it every other day so yes i will miss it a great deal.

[KittyFoyle]

Yes. I have been a member of a library since I was 3 and my Dcs since babyhood. I love them. I loved the sexiness of the one at university. Lots of hormones sitting quiety trying to study and glancing at each other oh so quietly. I love finding stuff you didn't know you were interested in. I love seeing old ladies proud of their job and knowledge. They are a symbol of a civilised society in my opinion and closing them is deeply sad. That said, we need to use them. Not many do compared to when I was young. Internet etc I guess.

[deaddei]

God yes, I go at least twice a week.
Ours has been assured it will not close due to its size and listed building status.
However it now closes one day a week, and no late nights.

[Ragwort]

Yes, I love libraries (although haven't noticed any sexiness in our local one!!!) I use a library most days, great for reading newspapers, magazines etc without having to buy them . No charge to order anything where I live - I get all the latest books - libraries are fab! Love the summer reading schemes and other childrens activities that are avaialable.

[harpsichordcarrier]

yes I agree it's going to happen... in Oxfordshire the plan is to close 30 libraries :-(
I will miss them like HELL :-(((
it is where I got my education, where I spent my childhood, teenage years, university, where I take my children.
if they dismantle the library service I will never never forgive.

[feedthegoat]

Yes. We go once a week before swimming lessons. Ds would be really upset.

[SkippyjonJones]

harpsichord how did you find out it will be 30, is there somewhere you can find out if your local library is going ?

[sanfairyann]

won't miss it right now, no, but don't want them to go forever either. when I can't afford to buy books and have a bit more free time to read them it'll be gutting if they're not there any more. the kind of resource that once it's gone, it's hard to get back again. I used to love libraries too but since having kids have massively fallen out of love with them - I daren't let the kids borrow books from them cos half the time we lose them or they go back late. last time the library didn't check one of the books back in and we kept getting reminders for it - even worse.

[harpsichordcarrier]

from a friend who works in the LA. The plans are not officially published.

[IMoveTheStars]

Harpsichord - which ones in Ox are meant to be closing?

I reckon West Ox is safe.. it is Cameron Country after all...

[Bumperlicious]

I will miss my dh's wages if our local one goes.

[Exogenesis]

Yes, Where would i work? Actually i'm not in a public library but, its part of mine and DD's weekly routine to go and choose her reading book for the week at my local library.

[orienteerer]

Yes, use it at least twice a week.

[IMoveTheStars]

I still don't believe they'll actually close libraries, shorter opening times perhaps (ours is closed on a Tuesday afternoon which is fine) but I find it so hard to believe..

[harpsichordcarrier]

There are 44 in Oxon. The plans are to close the smaller ones leaving a satellite/central one for each area.
there would be 14 or so left. obviously these are not confirmed in advance of the final cost cutting decisions being published.
the records office/county archive is also being effectively closed - it will remain as a storage centre but not catalogued.

[harpsichordcarrier]

Jareth - believe it.
300,000 public sector job cuts. why would libraries not bear the brunt?
And it will be permanent.

[IMoveTheStars]

I'll believe it when I see it.

Where are you getting these numbers/this info from?

[harpsichordcarrier]

the cuts are going to be 25-40%. That is public knowledge; the coalition requires them.
The 300k figure is an estimate, but again widely reported. you can't cut 25%-40% without a LOT of pain.
it isn't just efficiency savings.
the information comes from those who are in charge of planning for these cuts, and implementing them.

[AlgebraKnocksItUpANotchBAM]

I would miss ours terribly, but I think ours is vaguely safe - it's only a couple of years old, and is incredibly popular. IIRC it also got an architectural award.

my mum's library OTOH is suffering already, it's a tiny community library. very popular with young families and the elderly rely on it.

[Curiousmama]

It's been on the news about the libraries hasn't it?

Thanks for the info harps.

I daren't tell my mum, she hasn't got over decimalisation yet!

[BikeRunSki]

Yes, I have practically lived in libraries all my life. DS was the youngest member of Kirklees libraries for a while too. I registered him before he was a fortnight old.

And I agree about the sexiness of academic libraries!

[Schroeder]

I would miss them(for my wages for a start)we're not all old ladies you know.

Libraries are amazingly cheap and efficient you know compared to other local authority services you know, so they really aren't the most obvious target for cuts.

[Curiousmama]

Hope you're right Schroeder. No you're not all old ladies, the 2 in ours are young 'uns....well one is the other's my age