In the relatively calm waters of 2013, we are in danger of forgetting quite what threat Suffolk’s libraries were under back in 2010, when Tory-appointed CEO Andrea Hill was endeavouring to institute a ‘virtual council’ and divest itself of most services in the name of her New Strategic Direction. The Conservative councillors who were happy to vote this in are still in power – until May 2nd.
Yet 29 of our 44 libraries were under very real threat of closure (don’t take my word for it – hear it from the mouth of Cllr Terry -Conservative Cabinet member for libraries . Her actual words are unambiguous : “the fallback position is that if we don’t get those responses, then 29 libraries do have to close.” Naysayers and amnesiacs please note)
Luckily the people of Suffolk (kickstarted by the people of Woodbridge who were signing the first petition within 2 days of the first announcement of trouble) saw off that threat, and the IPS which is now in place is definitely the lesser of two evils. What more it might be we have yet to discover.
A while back, Suffolk Lib Dems issued the following policy regarding libraries. In case it is hard to find in its current position, I’m taking the opportunity to repost it :
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Suffolk Lib Dem Group Library policy
Suffolk Lib Dem Group recognises the immense value of libraries to the Suffolk community. Most particularly because libraries :
- Provide materials for study to help both young and mature students – and especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds;
- Provide materials for leisure helping people relax, thus enhancing or maintaining their mental health;
- Provide a centre for social interaction – which enhances community cohesion;
- Provide a place for quiet study for those who don’t enjoy such facilities at home;
- Provide a source of reference material in both physical and on-line formats;
- Provide internet access for people who can’t afford such equipment, don’t have the space to accommodate it, have occasional need or just need help with the processes.
It is essential that
- the above facilities should be provided
- the provision must meet current needs and satisfy foreseeable trends
- the business structure should be stable and finance should be certain
- accommodation should be conveniently located for existing population centres, thinking particularly of those that are disadvantaged
- adequate public transport and car parking facilities should be available.
- accommodation should attract users, being clean, comfortable and accessible
- mobile libraries should be provided and used effectively to ensure a service in low population density rural areas
- staff should be friendly, welcoming and willing to help new users of any age, not just the long established library buffs.
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