MORE than 70 people – including school children, teachers, a head teacher, parents and other library users – demonstrated outside Stockton Heath library to oppose any plan to close libraries in Warrington.
Only 24 hours notice was given of the demonstration or, organisers believe, even more people have turned up.
BBC television were present to film the protest.
At the same time, organisers announced plans for a “Borrow-a-book” day on Saturday, October 15.
The aim is to encourage people to borrow a book on that day.
At the same time, some libraries will be hosting activities to promote the use of libraries.
Local schoolgirl Freya MaCormac, aged 10, said: “We need our library because not only is it part of our community, but people of all ages love to read books and not everyone has the money to buy them or travel further afield to get them.
“Some people aren’t lucky enough to have access to the Internet either and your local library provides this service.
“Our school uses the library a lot and the best part is the summer reading challenge. They can’t take that away from us. The summer reading challenge encourages children 4-11 to read at least six books during the summer holidays. Over 640 children signed up at the beginning of summer when I joined.”
A spokesperson for library operators LiveWire said: “It is vital that we discuss the future of our libraries, as the way they are being used is changing significantly against a backdrop of wider central government cuts. We need to respond to this and examine the options.
“We have now extended the consultation period until Friday October 21 to give more residents the chance to have their say and we welcome the many comments and suggestions we’ve received and will ensure they are used to give a full report to the council on the feedback from these proposals.”
The final decision on any library closure will be taken by Warrington Borough Council – and a number of councillors have already spoken out against any closures.
2 Comments
There’s far more people opposing the proposed Warrington Library changes,
Thousands on the 38 degrees petition! http://www.thebookseller.com/news/faber-sales-outstanding-year-407411
A spokesperson from Livewire says….”The final decision on any library closure will be taken by Warrington Borough Council”
If WBC has passed over the library services to the Community Interest Company ‘Livewire’ why will the final decision over closures be taken by WBC?
Surely ‘Livewire’ hasn’t been set up merely so that WBC can offload library ‘services’ (and staff salaries) and sell off the buildings and land?
As to the government cuts being the reason the libraries will close – will ‘Livewire’ be reducing their staff numbers due to the resultant cuts in library services? or will they merely be relocating staff to other ‘activities’ ?
As a Community Interest Company ‘Livewire’ is legally obliged to act in the interest of the community and not just be a means by which WBC can save money by cutting services and profit from land /property sales.
If the community refuse to accept the ‘alternative services’ proposed by Livewire as being provision of ‘library services’ are not WBC still obligated to provide public libraries?
Sha said “A spokesperson from Livewire says….”The final decision on any library closure will be taken by Warrington Borough Council”
If WBC has passed over the library services to the Community Interest Company ‘Livewire’ why will the final decision over closures be taken by WBC?”
A very good question indeed.