Protecrt our public libraries.

[StuckInTheMiddleWithYou]

www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/terence-blacker/terence-blacker-hands-off-our-public-libraries-2057131.html

This could be the worst thing that has ever been done to education in this country.

Would MN like to stick it's considerable oar in?

[LeslieWinkle]

Please, please, please make this a mumsnet campaign. Libraries are vital assets in our communities.

It will only take one government to give away a network of libraries that have been serving the community for years and years and years. Once they are privatised thats it, they are gone.

[maxpower]

yes, without question.

[ThatDamnDog]

I'm in :)

[DirtyMartini]

Led here from other thread (thanks Leslie) -- I'm in too.

[HeavenForfend]

An unequivocal yes from me.

[kayah]

yes from me too

[JaxTellersOldLady]

I will support a campaign, it is important to have access to books (imho) and this helps educate people from all walks of life.

[Maisiethemorningsidecat]

Yep - I'm in

What now???

[SmellyPirateHooker]

I'm in too.

[LynetteScavo]

Where do I sign?

[theyoungvisiter]

Agree wholeheartedly - with the article and with the campaign.

Really dreadful idea. I think there is plenty of scope for volunteer help with libraries around the edges, without throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

[llareggub]

As I said on the other thread, local action needs to be taken. Decisions about library services are made by local councillors and you need to appeal directly to them. What matters to local councillors is re-election so a local campaign to save our libraries will make them realise what it is the best interests of their constituents.

What mumsnet could usefully do is lobby nationally and co-ordinate a campaign, perhaps by supplying resources for local people to use?

Fundamentally it comes down to use them or lose them. Sadly some local libraries are very under-used and these will be at risk.

Councils have a statutory duty to provide an effective library service so it might be helpful if Mumsnet (or a clued up Mumsnetter) could provide us with guidance on what this means so that Councils can be challenged on this basis?

[LeslieWinkle]

Councils have a statutory duty to provide an effective library service so it might be helpful if Mumsnet (or a clued up Mumsnetter) could provide us with guidance on what this means so that Councils can be challenged on this basis?

Yes! Do we have any librarians or similar who could advise us??

[slouchingtowardswaitrose]

YES. Support this campaign wholeheartedly.

[zebedeee]

LeslieW. look at Shirley Burnham's comment on the Blacker article. She was a very vocal and successful campaigner to save our v. fab. local library which the Conservative council were hellbent on getting rid of (and could be accused of deliberately bodging the consultation process).

[StuckInTheMiddleWithYou]

How about this..

We ALL write to our MP's about this issue.

Imagine if every MP recived a letter about this issue in the same week?

www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/

All it takes is a quick email.

We are supposed to live in a democracy, these people are supposed to speak for us. Let's remind them of the fact through some collective action.

[compo]

I don't understand how you canstart a campaign before you even know what is happening

there are plenty of campaigns that will happen if local libraries are forced to close, through unison the largest public sector union

[Maisiethemorningsidecat]

It depends on the detail Compo. Cilip (Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals) which is our professional body will also take a stand with Unison, I'm sure, but there is no harm in sending a very clear message now to the Govt that privatising libraries will simply not be tolerated.

Do you remember the massive campaign that took place after Gordon Brown raised the possibility of doing away with employee childcare vouchers? Thousands upon thousands voted to keep them through an e-petition - it became a huge issue, and that was before any formal announcement. They rescinded, fortunately, but you do wonder what might have happened if there hadn't been that level of protest.

[mousymouse]

libraries are soo important and do such good work. in my area are two, they offer all sorts of classes as well. and of course loads of books for everyone to enjoy.
would be really sad to see either one of them go.

[compo]

Yes I'm aware of cilip
in my experience they are useless
they are vocal in their journal but they don't take action

[maxpower]

bumping

[fabsoopergroovy]

count me in