Battle to save library services hots up

THE fight is on to protect libraries in Beeston and Chilwell from council cuts.

Campaigners say Notts County Council's planned cuts to opening hours and new book budgets will reduce the quality of the area's libraries.

Beeston and Chilwell Defend Library Services has given out 3,000 leaflets about their campaign and held a public meeting on Thursday with around 100 residents attending.

The group already has a petition signed by 700 people to hand to the council.

Campaign co-ordinator Greg Marshall said: "We want to defend against the cuts which will reduce access to books and all other services libraries provide. We want to engage the residents and highlight the importance of libraries.

"Beeston library will see a reduction in opening hours, and there will be up to 75 per cent cut from the new books fund."

Lauren Smith, coordinator of national campaign group Voices for the Library, said: "Sometimes they are the only place where children and adults can engage in life-long learning.

"They provide historic documents for history groups, space for children to do homework and allow older people to learn how to use a computer. In these respects, libraries are vital. They do a lot more than just lend books, they offer reading groups, training courses and help for job seekers.

"None of these things are reflected in the reports which suggest library use is decreasing."

But the county council has defended the cuts.

Council leader Kay Cutts said: "We have made no secret of the fact that difficult decisions will have to be made.

"A lot of the savings will be created by reducing management layers and back office support, which will help protect frontline services as much as possible."

She added: "Through our Big Budget Conversation, some members of the public have indicated that they are willing to play a more active role in their community, so the council hopes to work more closely with local communities to run some services, such as libraries."

Source: http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32715/f/503354/s/1213d2f7/l/0L0Sthisisnottingham0O0Cnews0CBattle0Esave0Elibrary0Eservices0Ehots0Carticle0E3141450A0Edetail0Carticle0Bhtml/story01.htm

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