Whether it’s the unveiling of plans for a controversial egg-shaped building in Coventry, or the opening of the largest UK facility in Birmingham, libraries seem to be big news.
The two midlands cities have their plans for the big and the bizarre, but arguably events in the Liverpool area over the weekend are even more interesting.
In a dramatic turn, the closure of 11 libraries in the Wirral was halted on Saturday after culture secretary Andy Burnham stepped in at the 11th hour.
On the very day one of the branches was due to close, Burnham ordered a local inquiry, which questions whether the closures go against Wirral Council’s statutory duty to provide all residents with a comprehensive public library service.
Esther McVey, Wirall West Conservative candidate, was there on Saturday and says that the area outside the library was heaving with protestors. And with 60,000 residents petitioning against the closures (which amounts for more than the number of people who voted in the local elections) libraries are clearly an issue that are close to the community’s heart.
But from the experience of the Wirral, just having public support is clearly not enough. Wirral council claimed that the decision to close the libraries was an economic one, but with so many people relying on the library services, including many disadvantaged groups, it is clear that the issue of library funding needs to be addressed.
In order to attract more funding, libraries have to be used, and in some cases that will mean changing the services they provide. Will this prompt libraries to move away from their traditional services to a more money-orientated approach? We await the next chapter in the saga.
Posted by Susie Sell
