The end of the local library?
Updated on 31 December 2009
As the government promises new legislation to reflect the changing nature of libraries campaigners fight to save their much-loved service.
While dozens of grand new buildings are underway, many smaller community services and older libraries are under threat as they are potential targets for cash-strapped councils.
Now the government is reviewing this billion pound service, promising new legislation to reflect its changing nature - with the influence of the internet, e-books, and constant access online.
At the same time, campaigners are fighting hard to keep a much-loved service.
http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/uk/the+end+of+the+local+library+/3484447 >
Alan Gibbons comments:
“Donald, Shirley and Desmond made all the right points in this timely programme. While Margaret Hodge did her reprise of the ‘New Technology is sexy’ rumba, the three campaigners exposed the nonsense of this approach. It is also to be hoped that the MLA involvement in areas like Northumberland will be positive so that we don’t have to re-run the Wirral campaign in the North East.
“We need a library review which encompasses large city libraries, town libraries and smaller branch libraries close to their communities. We need to see book borrowing preserved as a central activity. More importantly we need to see a vigorous campaign to draw in new readers. Finally, we need to preserve the educational remit of libraries.
“We recognise that there are many ways of reading and that the new technologies are being integrated within existing libraries but it would be wrong to throw out the baby with the bathwater and abandon the central place of the book. It is years of poor leadership and not boredom with reading that has led to the current difficulties.”
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