COALITION TO LOBBY PARLIAMENT AGAINST LIBRARY CUTS ON FEBRUARY 9
Library staff and campaigners are joining forces to lobby Parliament -
on Tuesday February 9, just three days after National Libraries Day
celebrations take place on Saturday February 6.
That's the point.
On National Libraries Day communities nationwide will celebrate public
libraries, and why so many people use and value them every day.
Three days later, it will be high time to focus on grim reality, says
SUFL, the Speak Up For Libraries coalition*.
Mass closures, service cuts and abandonment to volunteers are
inflicting major damage to a service that is more popular than cinemas
or football.
Over 100 UK libraries were lost last year, and at least 441 have
closed in the past five years. Another 149 are currently under threat.
And the damage starts right at the top.
Central government and local authorities alike are failing in their
clear legal duty to provide a 'comprehensive and efficient' library
service to all who want it. The reason: they simply don't understand
what libraries do.
'Ordinary people have no trouble explaining how much they need
libraries - and what a bargain they are. The problem is that
decision-makers don't listen,' says Laura Swaffield, chair of The
Library Campaign.
'Libraries are vital services that deliver huge value to local
communities every day. Cutting them is not only a false economy, it’s
erasing people’s right to quality library services,' says Nick Poole,
chief executive of CILIP.
On February 9, the day starts with a rally with speakers and videos.
Then library users and staff will unite around a central message:
LOOK WHAT YOU'RE LOSING - SPEAK UP FOR LIBRARIES.
They will lobby:
- Ministers and government, to issue statutory guidance and service
standards for local authorities, and give libraries a secure future
with central funding for development.
- MPs, to acknowledge that libraries are important to people -
especially during a recession - and implement policy during the 2016
Parliament that underlines the statutory rights to a quality library
service.
'Libraries make a huge contribution to important policy objectives
including literacy, health and wellbeing, community cohesion,
economic growth and skills development,' says SUFL.
'This must be recognised and acted on - before it's too late.'
* Speak Up For Libraries: Campaign for the Book, CILIP (Chartered
Institute of Library & Information Professionals), The Library
Campaign, UNISON, Voices for the Library.
PRESS CONTACTS:
Campaign for the Book: Alan Gibbons 07889 981739 ; [log in to unmask]
The Library Campaign: Laura Swaffield, 07914 491145; [log in to unmask]
CILIP: Cat Cooper, 020 7255 0653 (mobile 07867 455070); [log in to unmask]
UNISON: Fatima Ayad, 020 7121 5255; [log in to unmask]
Voices for the Library: Lauren Smith, 07503 173894;
[log in to unmask]
DETAILS:
http://speakupforlibraries.org
TRAVEL COSTS
The Library Campaign will consider giving lobbyists
financial support for travel costs if they are otherwise unable to
attend the lobby.
Contact: www.thelibrarycampaign.com.
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