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Original poster

Protecrt our public libraries.

44 replies

StuckInTheMiddleWithYou · 21/08/2010 14:37

www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/terence-blacker/terence-blacker-hands-off-our-public-libraries-2057131.html

This could be the worst thing that has ever been done to education in this country.

Would MN like to stick it's considerable oar in?

OP posts:
LeslieWinkle · 21/08/2010 20:58

Please, please, please make this a mumsnet campaign. Libraries are vital assets in our communities.

It will only take one government to give away a network of libraries that have been serving the community for years and years and years. Once they are privatised thats it, they are gone.

maxpower · 21/08/2010 21:10

yes, without question.

ThatDamnDog · 21/08/2010 21:10

I'm in :)

DirtyMartini · 21/08/2010 21:16

Led here from other thread (thanks Leslie) -- I'm in too.

LunaticFringe · 21/08/2010 21:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HeavenForfend · 21/08/2010 21:18

An unequivocal yes from me.

kayah · 21/08/2010 21:21

yes from me too

octopusinabox · 21/08/2010 21:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JaxTellersOldLady · 21/08/2010 21:30

I will support a campaign, it is important to have access to books (imho) and this helps educate people from all walks of life.

AbricotsSecs · 21/08/2010 21:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Maisiethemorningsidecat · 21/08/2010 21:37

Yep - I'm in

What now???

SmellyPirateHooker · 21/08/2010 21:38

I'm in too.

LynetteScavo · 21/08/2010 21:43

Where do I sign?

theyoungvisiter · 21/08/2010 21:43

Agree wholeheartedly - with the article and with the campaign.

Really dreadful idea. I think there is plenty of scope for volunteer help with libraries around the edges, without throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

llareggub · 21/08/2010 21:43

As I said on the other thread, local action needs to be taken. Decisions about library services are made by local councillors and you need to appeal directly to them. What matters to local councillors is re-election so a local campaign to save our libraries will make them realise what it is the best interests of their constituents. Wink

What mumsnet could usefully do is lobby nationally and co-ordinate a campaign, perhaps by supplying resources for local people to use?

Fundamentally it comes down to use them or lose them. Sadly some local libraries are very under-used and these will be at risk.

Councils have a statutory duty to provide an effective library service so it might be helpful if Mumsnet (or a clued up Mumsnetter) could provide us with guidance on what this means so that Councils can be challenged on this basis?

LeslieWinkle · 21/08/2010 22:11

Councils have a statutory duty to provide an effective library service so it might be helpful if Mumsnet (or a clued up Mumsnetter) could provide us with guidance on what this means so that Councils can be challenged on this basis?

Yes! Do we have any librarians or similar who could advise us??

slouchingtowardswaitrose · 21/08/2010 22:22

YES. Support this campaign wholeheartedly.

zebedeee · 21/08/2010 22:33

LeslieW. look at Shirley Burnham's comment on the Blacker article. She was a very vocal and successful campaigner to save our v. fab. local library which the Conservative council were hellbent on getting rid of (and could be accused of deliberately bodging the consultation process).

Original poster
StuckInTheMiddleWithYou · 22/08/2010 09:24

How about this..

We ALL write to our MP's about this issue.

Imagine if every MP recived a letter about this issue in the same week?

www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/

All it takes is a quick email.

We are supposed to live in a democracy, these people are supposed to speak for us. Let's remind them of the fact through some collective action.

OP posts:
compo · 22/08/2010 09:27

I don't understand how you canstart a campaign before you even know what is happening

there are plenty of campaigns that will happen if local libraries are forced to close, through unison the largest public sector union

Maisiethemorningsidecat · 22/08/2010 10:27

It depends on the detail Compo. Cilip (Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals) which is our professional body will also take a stand with Unison, I'm sure, but there is no harm in sending a very clear message now to the Govt that privatising libraries will simply not be tolerated.

Do you remember the massive campaign that took place after Gordon Brown raised the possibility of doing away with employee childcare vouchers? Thousands upon thousands voted to keep them through an e-petition - it became a huge issue, and that was before any formal announcement. They rescinded, fortunately, but you do wonder what might have happened if there hadn't been that level of protest.

mousymouse · 22/08/2010 10:31

libraries are soo important and do such good work. in my area are two, they offer all sorts of classes as well. and of course loads of books for everyone to enjoy.
would be really sad to see either one of them go.

compo · 22/08/2010 11:06

Yes I'm aware of cilip
in my experience they are useless
they are vocal in their journal but they don't take action

maxpower · 22/08/2010 11:34

bumping

fabsoopergroovy · 22/08/2010 14:59

count me in

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