Save our libraries 5th February

[Rosenotinyorkshire]

I know there has been a lot of discussion about libary closures but just wanted to spread the word about the national day of action this coming Saturday.

Our Libraries

Can you re-post the link? It didn't work..

sorry! Details are below

www.cilip.org.uk

Will definitely go to the library on Saturday :)

I will be maxing out my library card as well. The library is the only community facility my town has!

Voices for the Library website listing organised 5th Feb campaigns

If you're in SW London (and I know many MNers are) York Gardens Library will have an event running from 12.30pm (kids noisy rhyme time kicking it all off). Please join in!

This blog has a brilliant overview of the story related to this library - the only library (of 27 in the borough) that Wandsworth Council are planning to close. It is in the most deprived area of the borough. Fewer than 50% of people in the local area have computers at home - they use those in the library. The homework club is used by many many local kids to do their homework (as they do not have space/books/computers/other facilities at home). 59% of local kids say it helps them to do better at school (far higher than at other nearby libraries).

The council could save almost as much by just making all the libraries in the borough run on reduce hours. The additional amount / year they will save if they close the library is £74K (since they will also have to implement some outreach services which cost £ too). Given that the chief exec earns about £240K per year and the council's magazine costs over £200K per year, this £74K is a measley amount given the immense service this provides to a deprived community.

If anyone is in the Bungay area in Suffolk, there's a read-in at Bungay Library (closure announced) tomorrow: details here (including details of other actions you can take to protest against the closure of this library)