Please sign

[scaryteacher]

petition.parliament.uk/petitions/228742

Ds drew this to my attention -it is a petition to save the libraries. Could I please ask you to sign it? Access to books for kids with none in their homes is vital, and libraries provide that.

I have fond memories of spending hours in the library when I was a kid, new authors, old favourites, and the thrill of being able to use the adult library at 11.

Signed.

Thanks.

How many parents that don’t have books in their house actually take their children to libraries? I like my local library but money doesn’t grow on trees and I would rather that the limited funds the council does have went to collecting rubbish at acceptably hygienic intervals and maintaining public spaces. There is only so much money the councils can raise. It’s better off spent on more useful things that benefit everyone not just those who choose to use a library. Most children have access to books at home, those who don’t have access to them at school. Libraries just aren’t essential.

We love our library! I can’t afford to buy a book everytime I want to read one and the children don’t always have the book they want at school. Our Library is also good to go and study, sit quietly and do a puzzle, research and it offers craft and social groups. Internet access for this who don’t have it at home is available as well as copying and printing services for a small fee. Our Library is a lifeline for older people who may not see many people, may not be able to make it into the city to buy books and can help them to learn new skills. Our library is essential, our library is important and we’d be devastated to see it go.

Most children have access to books at home

They absolutely don't. And many don't have a warm quiet place to do homework either.

Libraries are vitally important. Not just for children but for many other members of the community.

Not all people who are fortunate enough to be able to afford to buy books for themselves and their children - and that includes many MPs - understand that there are many people for whom that's just not possible.

It would be tragic if our libraries disappeared.

Highlandcoo totally agree with you. I was taken to the library regularly as a child and it was a very positive experience. Many of my friends who have younger children do the same with theirs. It's a vital resource in many, many ways and since sustaining community, supporting educational developments, are so important to the life of a society it seems odd that anyone would not want to support their continuance.

OP I wonder if you changed the title of this post to something like 'Please sign and help save libraries' if you might get more views?

Bump

bump

Signed.
As Caitlin Moran said "Libraries are cathedrals of the mind; hospitals of the soul; theme parks of the imagination."

I am so tired of this idea that ‘here are limited funds’ and cutting out any non essential service - libraries are really important especially in light of the fact that funding for schooling is being cut ...

Talking of limited funds, you might be interested to know that libraries are massively good value.
Councils spent a tiny proportion ( think 1 or 2%) of their budget pre austerity on libraries.
Cuts have decreased that further, if they were closed it wouldn't improve bin collections or social care, but would mean more pressure on schools, mental health services and those for homeless people and job seekers.