As cuts continue to bite, community libraries are among the worst hit. Vital family resources are being axed.
My children love trips to the library. They always have, from the first time they were able to haul board books from a thoughtfully provided tot-sized box-table affair.
At first they sat on the floor with their noses stuck into a battered copy of The Gruffalo, thrilled at finding something familiar.
Then the library became a resource. A mine of knowledge, or at least a place to find the Pokemon books I refused to buy, tucked away in the heart of our village.
I also waded happily through recorded books that kept me sane during commutes, my hubby has beaten a path to the CD section, I’ve copied documents for pennies, bought remaindered books and used the internet there when we’d been hit by lightening and our router melted.
Many Ready for Ten family members like a good book. Alice’s most recent suggestions were spot on. And look, she suggested a trip to the library for to find the titles.
Our readers are quick to report that the library is a great resource for a huge range of other things including holiday reading schemes and proper old-fashioned community information.
In fact, this month’s Ready for Ten theme is community with Linda asking what it means to our children. I’d say that the local library might come pretty close to summing it up. Where else can local people find such information, support, learning and a friendly face?
Mrs Green, who home schooled her nine-year-old for three years is saddened that her library is to close, especially as her daughter book-wormed her way through a staggering 500 books in a year.
She said: “There is no way we would have either the room or the finances to buy her 500 books a year, so this is going to be a great loss to us, not only from the books point of view, but the community too.
“Every time we go in there we find someone to talk to, to share the latest village news with and we have drop-in centres where we can catch up with local people such as the village policeman, village agents and other people.”
And Rootmtoot, who works in a library that is earmarked for closure, said: "I have parents telling me every day that this means they won't be able to go a library anymore. We also have lots of kids who come in alone after school. They will have nowhere to go and limited access to books.”
These aren’t isolated cases. Voices For The Library, a campaign to save the library and its librarians, has this map bristling with red closure pins. And if you needed more convincing, it is full of warm stories of what libraries have meant to individuals -- of how they are much, much more than a place to borrow books. For many people, especially those on low incomes, libraries are the only place to find a steady -- and free -- supply of nutrition for their brains. Surely as important as five-a-day for the body?
The Public Libraries News blog claims more than 370 libraries will be shut because of the cuts. It gives a breakdown region by region so you can find out what's happening near you.
I know times are tough and there have to be cuts. And also we need to be realistic about where the axe must fall, but libraries surely deserve to be protected for the sake of our children. Don’t let this be the generation that shuts the book on free lending libraries.
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07 January, 2011
Libraries allow children to browse and enjoy books rather than the rigidity and order of a school's reading scheme (however important that is as well). This relaxed environment encourages a love of books which is so important, especially sometimes with young boys.
Our local librarian was the first adult that my older son dared go and talk to on his own. Both boys also see other adults reading and enjoying books - great role models!
Our library service in Gloucestershire is threatened with huge cuts including several closures leaving many children without access to a decent supply of books, online facilities and grown-ups to encourage them. I think such closures would be a real mistake for all our communities.
mum
07 January, 2011
Hi Becky, thanks for your comment. You're right. Libraries allow children to discover the written word for themselves.
mum
07 January, 2011
In the last few years our local libraries have had significant investment, which is great. My daughter was disappointed when she realised we couldn't go the other afternoon due to half day closing; she'd be heartbroken if it closed altogether! Sadly I've just read that hours at many of our local libraries are going to be cut and one library in the borough is due to be closed. The library in the village I grew up in has already closed down. Very sad, and definitely something worth fighting against.
mum
07 January, 2011
Hi Kath, thanks for your comment. I agree. Libraries are different to other services somehow -- essential nutrition for the mind perhaps.
editor
07 January, 2011
Hi Becky and Ellen, this is such an important topic, thank you for covering it and voicing how so many parents will be feeling. The resources you list are really useful for anyone wanting to know what they can do to make their voice heard.
08 January, 2011
My family will miss our local library which we all use regularly. It is to be closed and relocated, with reduced staffing and hours. Yet, it is a busy popular library so much so it had a queue outside this morning. Local authority projection suggest it will be many years before the financial benefit is made. The also appears to be little thought give to the cost to the community, our childrens education and what of those that do not have home computers. Sad times.
08 January, 2011
Going to the library used to be part of our Saturday morning rituals before swimming took over. I used to walk my son and step daughter to the local library and we'd spend hours choosing the next few books to read. I'm a massive reader and love kids to read books, so passed this hobby onto them too. When I had my son, the local library also used to have a singing and nursery rhyme group which I really enjoyed taking Oliver along to so that he could start to mix with other children. I will be really sad if my local library closes and in fact am going to make more of an effort to reinstate this Saturday morning past time.
mum
08 January, 2011
I don't know if libraries are under threat in Wales. We're really fortunate to have a mobile library service that comes right to my doorstep every three weeks. I try to borrow something from it and order books for next time as we don't want to lose it. My children love to use it when the visits coincide with school holidays and see a van full of books backing up the drive as such a huge treat. It's so sad to hear of libraries closing. They have such a wonderful atmosphere. You just don't get that 'library feeling' anywhere else.
mum
09 January, 2011
Liz, that's dreadful. It does seem that these cuts are made without a view to the future.
Kim, I hope your library survives and you enjoy your Saturday sessions.
mum
14 January, 2011
I would be absolutely lost without our library. I go there all the time with my children. I think I am fortunate in that ours is not under threat of closure (Brighton & Hove). I remember the library van doing the rounds at school and my Dad used to deliver audio books to the blind - it was a lifeline for many people. Our library is a vibrant, buzzing place full of old and young people. It will be such a shame if these resources are cut.
mum
15 January, 2011
Alison, Thanks. You're right it would be a total shame.