My take on the shameless withdrawal of government from supporting public libraries is to keep in mind that our libraries are one of the few things left that consolidate the public realm. Once they're gone, it's not just hard to get the library service back: it will be that much harder to reinstate the notion of publicness.
There's a wee map of threatened closures here. The Public library news blog posted this note the other day:
There is a devil of a dilemma for those who wish to save libraries after withdrawal has been cut - whether to "help out" or not. Many authorities (such as Gloucestershire) are saying that the local library will only survive if a community group takes it over, with minimal council support. Those who love libraries may quite rightly be tempted to do so. However, if they do before all other options are taken, then it will only encourage yet more branches to be effectively privatised in this ways. Libraries will become just another charity shop. However, the council may well close the library anyway if groups don't step up to the mark. The unwillingness of charities to take over wildlife preserves without full remuneration may be an argument in favour of not helping. Call their bluff and, perhaps, the council will back down. Or perhaps they won't.
I recall from attending the Conservative party launch of the Big Society that the abandonment of public libraries was mentioned often but local government not at all.
Keith
It's neighbourhoods v. elected representatives now in the decade we might call the "Cutties", or are they the "Slashies"
See a comment from edp24.co.uk today
" Its good that someone is trying to stand up for Norfolk. The County Council is proposing to make some 140 cuts to balance its budget yet no one seems to know exactly what the current settlement actually means financially except perhaps Mr. Pickles. Where are the Norfolk MPs and why are they not speaking out for Norfolk residents ?
Mr. Cameron has said that there is no need to cut frontline services and yet that is exactly what the County Council is proposing. If carried out these proposals will affect everyone in the County but more so the most vulnerable, It is clear that Mr.Pickles is determined to destroy local government and the services that people depend on.
He , Mr. Cameron, Mr Clegg and all those silent MPs might do well to remember that they have no overall majority and no mandate to make such sweeping changes. "
Posted by: Alex | Thursday, 06 January 2011 at 19:39