Half of all Oxfordshires libraries to close

[whomovedmychocolate]

link here

This is very sad. Our two local libraries are closing. For my rural community it means driving a 12 mile round trip to reach a library. We use the library every week. :(

It's criminal, isn't it. :(

Hopefully some of the campaigns will have an influence, but tbh I'm not optimistic.

We're lucky in that we live in a town and (as far as I know) our library is staying open, but all the rural villages nearby will lose theirs :(

Well I can afford to drive and park in Banbury to get the kids some books, but the majority of schools in Oxfordshire villages use the libraries weekly as a place to take the children for storytime and as a literacy source.

Shocking and sad. The only ones that stay open will be in places where there is the most motivation for volunteers to take them on and probably, therefore, the places they are needed least (at least from a child literacy point of view). Will the mobile library service take up some of the slack?

I've been looking for a local group, have you come across one?

It's rubbish for the preschoolers too, the kids that are learning to read that are losing this resource.

There is a local pressure group in Deddington - which is my local - friends of Deddington library who are holding a meeting in February to discuss how to fight it.

Problem is, logically I can see why they are closing. On a resident use basis, village libraries are really costly to run in rural areas.

I think the bus will go. It's here for ten minutes every two weeks. And it's during school hours. What's the point? The only people it helps are old people and since we have no bus service they have to be able to drive and have cars, otherwise they can't survive here.

Ah, WMMC - surely the pensioners will have to get the bus to Banbury/Oxford on their 'free' passes, therefore costing the local govt a LOT more than if they hadn't closed the frickin libraries..

There are no fricking buses where we live. There were for two years but then they cancelled them. We're 2.2 miles from the nearest big village so there's little chance of living here unless you can and do drive. I don't even think the ring and ride come out this far.

It looks like Hooky is staying open , so easy to drive to and free parking. However, as you say, you're going to be stuck if you do not have a car/can get there easily.

I had no idea there WAS a library in Hooky Rinders.

Must go google that ta!

Incidentally are you still on for the grand shebang in the smoke? I am and I've even had my hair cut so I lose the first pound quickly.

Whomoved, yes, most definitely on for 19th! Having my hair cut tomorrow, so that should be a couple of ounces off! Will contact nearer the time to arrange meet up, etc. Am actually sorry not to be travelling with you, but it's the only way I could sort childrcare.

Must go to library this week, thanks for the reminder!

No worries - I'm not at my best at 6am anyway

But we must make our arrangements to meet up there. I went to the hairdressers in Middle Barton today - really good - looks a bit dodgy but really great cut and only £20