Campaign against proposal to close 11 libraries

By Alan Gibbons - 15/8/2014

Liverpool Council’s proposal to close or hand over to volunteers eleven of the existing nineteen libraries is a major blow to the cultural life of the city and attempts to promote reading. To take one example, if Walton, Fazakerley and Spellow Lane libraries were all to close, north Liverpool would be a cultural wasteland, with users of the service having to travel to Norris Green, Croxteth or into town.

Already, there is wide-ranging opposition to the proposals. Campaigners such as those at Old Swan library have collected 8,000 signatures for a petition opposing closures. In support of library users in the area, I organised an open letter which has been published in the Liverpool Echo. It read:

“We are writers and artists, library users and educators. We condemn Mayor Anderson’s proposal to close eleven of Liverpool’s nineteen libraries. The 1964 Museums and Public Libraries Act enshrines the need for a ‘comprehensive’ and ‘efficient’ service. We do not believe having just eight libraries across a city the size of Liverpool constitutes such a service. The proposal would be a blow to the culture of reading in the city and could impact on the city’s long-term social and economic wellbeing.”

It was signed by many local writers and artists including Frank Cotterill-Boyce, Pete Wylie, John Fay and Cathy Cassiday. Among the national figures supporting the letter are Sir Michael Holroyd, Baroness Bakewell, Children’s Laureate Malorie Blackman and much-loved children’s authors such as Francesca Simon, Kevin Crossley-Holland and Korky Paul.

The petition was presented to Mayor Joe Anderson at the Town Hall at 9am on Friday, 15th August 2014. We will be pressing our elected representatives to think again. Liverpool was City of Culture. We don’t want it to lose that reputation to the detriment of its citizens.

Alan Gibbons, Author and Organiser of the Campaign for the Book

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Comment left by Mike O'Day on 17th August, 2014 at 7:56
Far too often these days we hear about the way things are valued solely in terms of cost. Some things are, like libraries, impossible to place a monetary value on. Yes, you can say that it costs x number of thousands of pounds each year but what about the people who use the library who may contribute to the city economy because of something they've read or have been able to research using library facilities?

Comment left by Ritchie Hunter on 17th August, 2014 at 8:47
What a Sham! Liverpool City Council 'Nodding Dogs' agree library proposals. We didn't expect much, but what we got shocked us. Five of us were allowed to speak, but each time we were answered by Joe in his: “I have no alternative. I was elected to manage the cuts” voice. And it really is him who takes the decisions. No-one else amongst the 20 or so people around the table raised so much as a squeak. No questioning us as speakers, No asking Joe about specific points, Nothing! This group of people made up of Councillors and (non-elected) Council officers have totally bought Joe's authority to speak for the City, while promoting himself and business. What happens now? The report with the planned eleven library closures goes to a committee that will carry out another 'consultation', tweak it and then send it to a Select Committee in four weeks. There it will be passed and 'That's it Folks!' It WON'T go to the full Council for ratifying (in fact I was told that decisions rarely do go to full Council now). It appears that democracy in this city is whatever Joe Anderson decides. And he says he has the mandate. Get campaigning! Also see Liverpool Socialist Singers libraries tour on Wednesday 13 August: http://youtu.be/vlhowNeqN18

Comment left by johno on 17th August, 2014 at 20:10
How do we mobilise them action against Joe Andersen and establish more democratic and socially responsible local government. this population is ill served by power and status seeking corrupt time servers. Blindly towing old labour line of least resistance everything on hold till we get labour ed millabland elected . the endorsement of pro big business style politics is divorced from the mass of the disenfranchised majority. the struggling mass of working people that labour phoneys through the help of some union leaders misrepresented in local elections skirted away from the confrontation needed to bring clarity. as with surestart fight the fear of closure hangs like the sword of damocles over staff will they be targetted for opposition. this paralysing fear is aided by union political backing of official line.wait till general election a panacea for all ills.yet shadow ministers labours alternative will continue austerity measures and cuts. were are we now!new more radical or revolutionary methods are required that engage with the entire population referendums mass meetings etc. to start with Tuc conference should be targetted meeting 6th sept in Liverpool. hollow talk about defence of jobs and services should be challenged.lobbies petitions all out activity.to prevent death by a thousand cuts to Liverpool and its people the next generation especially.