“Potential for good news” say library campaigners

THE Save Warrington Libraries campaign believes there is the potential for some “very good news” about the borough’s libraries.
They say they want to celebrate, but first want to see the council make a firm commitment to save a full, integrated, professional library service.
“We are not there yet,” the campaign states.
The campaign, launched by Dina Kingsnorth-Baird, says it has seen a leaked version of the recommendations that have gone to library operator LiveWire’s board and have also spoken to “people in the know.”
In a statement, the group says: “So far, the rumours give a mixed picture and nothing’s been decided yet.
“Where there is good news, it’s down in a large part to all of us making our voices heard.
“They were planning to shift our main Central Library into a shoe shop in Golden Square. Now it looks like it will stay as a proper,  full library where it is, with as full a service as now.
“The council are now apparently asking for Livewire to make much smaller savings so there is even less argument for drastic cuts.
“It looks like the council might not introduce lockers instead of libraries. There is talk of using them in areas that don’t have access to a library now, but as an additional service only, that could be a good thing.
“It looks like Livewire will be asked to introduce a senior ‘Head of Libraries’ type role to champion and steer our libraries – after years of lacking any real expertise
“And it looks like there are real efforts going on to bring in new services to libraries to help subsidise them, lower the costs and keep them open.
“These nuggets sound promising and they are down to all of us. We wouldn’t be this close to good news if we hadn’t pulled together, signed petitions, held protests, fed in to the consultation and joined action days. Compared to where we were when we started, this sounds like progress.
“But none of this is confirmed, and worryingly the future of a number of libraries, including Stockton Heath, Penketh, Lymm and Culcheth remains undecided. We know there are options on the table that could save them as proper, professionally run libraries at the heart of our communities. But we also know that closing them or handing them to the community to run hasn’t been ruled out either. Far too much is still at risk to celebrate yet.
“The council makes its decision soon. We’d like the public to see the detail first and we want them make a clear decision for every library, and to commit to maintain a brilliant, professional service and a wonderful and loved community network.
“The town that was the birthplace of the public library has the chance right now to show the rest of the country how to do it. And it would be big news if they did.
“We know they can do it and if they do, we’ll be the first to celebrate.”